Health
Hay fever is the common name to describe allergic rhinitis and involves a recurrent runny, stuffy, itchy nose, and frequent sneezing. It can also affect your eyes, sinuses, throat and ears. Like any other allergy, allergic rhinitis is an inappropriate immune system response to an allergen - most commonly:
house dust mite [Learn more]
animal hair - do you have pets?
mould
pollen from grasses, weeds or trees [Learn more]
The allergen comes into contact with the sensitive, moist lining in your nose and sinuses and sets off the allergic response.
[Source]Common Symptoms
Eyes
Common symptoms related to eyes: [Source]
Could be itchy, red or watery
Dark circles under the eyes
Allergy-causing substances like pollen and dander may cause dilatation of blood vessels in the conjunctiva, the membrane covering the eye. The resulting reddening of the eyes is called allergic conjunctivitis, and is usually accompanied by itching and tearing. [Source]
Ears
Common symptoms related to ears: [Source]
frequent earaches
fullness in the ear
ear infections
hearing loss
Nose
Common symptoms related to nose: [Source]
watery, runny nose or stuffy nose. This can be all the time, or during certain times of the year
blocked nose so you have to breathe through the mouth; snoring
sneezing a lot, especially in the morning
nosebleeds
headaches because of pressure from inside the nose
nasal voice because of blocked nasal passages
For some people, exposure to allergens can trigger an immune response (your body's natural defence system), which leads to swelling and inflammation in the inner lining of the nose (known as rhinitis). [Source]
Mouth
Common symptoms related to mouth: [Source]
blocked nose so you have to breathe through the mouth, which leads to snoring
Throat
Common symptoms related to throat: [Source]
often having to clear the throat
itching in the back of the throat
Pollen inhalation can provoke allergic reactions, causing throat irritation, itching, and soreness.
This discomfort may escalate to swelling and inflammation in throat tissues. Excessive mucus production can lead to postnasal drip, exacerbating throat irritation and coughing. Pollen exposure can worsen respiratory symptoms in asthma sufferers. Long-term exposure may result in complications such as throat infections.
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Managing Symptoms
Common Strategies
Wash bedding regularly
Dust frequently
Nasal rinse
also called "sinus rinse" or "nasal irrigation"
Nasal irrigation is a personal hygiene practice in which the nasal cavity is washed to flush out mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses, in order to enhance nasal breathing.
Quick Guides
Read through one of the following guides from different sources:
Rinse nasal passages
Wash hands after playing with pets
Shut windows during pollen season
Avoid smoke and fragrances
Artificial tears
also called "lubricating eye drops"
These aim to reduce irritation in the eyes caused by allergies. They help flush allergens from the eye and also moisten the eyes, which often become dry when red and irritated. They are best used for mild symptoms. [Learn more]
Other types of eye drops
There are other types of eye drops for allergies besides artificial tears, such as antihistamines, mast cell stabilisers, decongestants and steriods. [Learn more] These different medicines have different actions. The choice of eye drops will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Some are suitable for short-term relief while others need several weeks of regular treatment to be effective.
Use artificial tears
For more in-depth tips on dealing with Hayfever, take a look at this article: Seven tips to combat seasonal allergies.