Hay Fever Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Hay Fever FAQ
Is hay fever contagious?
Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of your nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis isn’t the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold. Hay fever isn’t contagious. Also, not all rhinitis is allergic. Many people suffer from nonallergic rhinitis resulting in similar symptoms.
What causes hay fever?
Common allergens that can trigger hay fever symptoms include pollen and dust mites. Tiny flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander) also can be allergens. Besides making you miserable, hay fever can affect how well you perform at work or school and can generally interfere with your life.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
The symptoms of hay fever are due to your immune system reacting to pollen. Cells on the lining of the nose and eyes release chemicals (for example, histamine) when they come into contact with pollen. This causes inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) and eyes ( conjunctivitis ). Sometimes the sinuses and throat can also be affected.
How long does hay fever last?
Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks. There's currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it.
What are hay fever symptoms?
Common hay fever symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, mouth and throat. Less common hay fever symptoms are headaches and hives. To get the latest pollen forecast, view our Pollen forecast which provides a UK forecast of the pollen count and provides any hay fever sufferers with an early warning.
Can hay fever cause a cold?
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms. These may include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to a harmless outdoor or indoor substance the body identifies as harmful (allergen).
What is the medical name for hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. The medical name for hay fever is seasonal allergic rhinitis. You can develop hay fever at any age. What is pollen? Pollen is a tiny grain produced by plants. There are around 30 different types of pollen that can cause hay fever. You can be allergic to more than one type of pollen. tree pollen.
Hay Fever References
If you want to know more about Hay Fever, consider exploring links below:
What Is Hay Fever
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039
- https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/hay-fever
- https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/hay-fever-leaflet
- https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/hay-fever/symptoms
- https://www.healthline.com/health/hay-fever-symptoms
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/pollen/hay-fever
- https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/hayfever/
- https://www.webmd.com/allergies/understanding-hay-fever-basics
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8622-allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever
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