| Allergy is the most common illness in | | | | pets and allergens as well as weather |
| the world. It is characterized by the | | | | conditions will all be considered in the |
| immune system's reaction to substances | | | | evaluation for hay fever. Skin testing |
| that are viewed by the body as | | | | is also performed to determine specific |
| potentially harmful. The body launches | | | | sensitivity to particular allergens. |
| an attack on these substances which is | | | | Since cross-reactivity is normal, your |
| manifested by the symptoms experienced | | | | doctor will naturally check you for |
| in an allergy attack. There are many | | | | reactions to cross-reacting substances. |
| substances that can cause an allergic | | | | To prevent hay fever, you should avoid |
| reaction. Among them are peanuts, | | | | being exposed to pollen. If you must go |
| shellfish, eggs, milk, dust, insect | | | | outdoors, try to wear a protective face |
| bites and pollen. | | | | mask for filtering pollen. You should |
| Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay | | | | also avoid going out during the early |
| fever is usually characterized by an | | | | mornings and evenings when pollen levels |
| allergic reaction to pollen. The illness | | | | are high. When drying your clothes, |
| is named after the "haying season" when | | | | never put them outside where they can be |
| pollen grains in the air are in | | | | exposed to pollen. The pollen will |
| abundance. Since pollen carried by the | | | | attach to the clothes you placed outside |
| wind is the more popular culprit, you | | | | for longer than a moment and if you wear |
| should be aware of the most common | | | | these clothes it's possible that you |
| plants releasing these pollen grains in | | | | could have an allergic reaction. Another |
| the air. Trees including birch, alder, | | | | activity you should avoid is mowing your |
| hazel, hornbeam, horse chestnut, willow, | | | | lawn. This activity will disperse pollen |
| poplar, plane, lime and olive cause hay | | | | in the air, increasing your chances for |
| fever. Among these, birch and olive | | | | a hay fever attack. Some doctors |
| pollen are the most dominant. On the | | | | recommend putting little cream on the |
| other hand, grass pollen from rye and | | | | nostrils and around the eyes to prevent |
| timothy are responsible for about 90% of | | | | pollen from entering these areas. |
| the total hay fever cases. | | | | There are currently several available |
| Effects of hay fever vary form person to | | | | medications for treating symptoms of hay |
| person. Some experience mild reactions | | | | fever. These include fast-acting |
| while others suffer severe reactions. | | | | antihistamines, short-acting |
| Symptoms of the illness include | | | | antihistamines, longer-acting |
| coughing, headache, itching nose, runny | | | | antihistamines, leukotriene receptor |
| nose and sneezing. You might also | | | | antagonists, corticosteroid nasal |
| experience impaired smelling functions | | | | sprays, topical decongestants, cromolyn |
| and sensitivity to flavors. Your eyes | | | | sodium, allergy shots and herbal |
| will water from the irritation in your | | | | remedies. Any of these medications can |
| nose. Sore throat, wheezing and | | | | relieve symptoms of hay fever |
| conjunctivitis are also common | | | | effectively. You should make sure that |
| reactions. | | | | when taking these medications, you will |
| Hay fever is usually diagnosed by | | | | not be driving or operating heavy |
| determining the patient's history of | | | | machineries since drowsiness can be |
| symptoms. Your doctor will ask you the | | | | experienced when taking medication like |
| frequency of your symptoms, severity and | | | | antihistamines. |
| onset. Changes in your diet, exposure to | | | | |