What Is Hay Fever?

Hay fever, which is also medically known as allergic rhinitis  or seasonal allergies, is an allergic reaction to certain environmental triggers. Despite usually being a reaction to a benign, natural substance, many people’s bodies react to these triggers as if they were life-threatening. When you breathe in something like tree pollen, your immune system produces antibodies that bind to your cells, releasing chemicals to protect your body from it. This creates an allergic reaction. In other words, the symptoms you’re suffering from are a side effect of your body trying to do its job of keeping you healthy – even if it feels like it’s doing the opposite.

These symptoms can include:

• Frequent sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose with clear, watery nasal discharge
• Itchy, red or watery eyes (medically known as allergic conjunctivitis)
• Itchy throat or ears
• Darker under eye bags
• Coughing due to postnasal drip
• Fatigue, especially if your allergies are disrupting your sleep
• Headache from sinus pressure and pain
• Loss of smell or taste from nasal congestion
• In rare cases, skin reactions , including hives or eczema

What Triggers Seasonal Allergies?

Unlike an allergy to peanut butter or pet dander, these allergies are typically unique to a season. In the spring and summer, the most frequent triggers are pollen and mold spores. Their exact source will depend on the season, or more specifically, what’s in bloom. In the Lone Star State, cedar trees are particularly egregious allergen producers that are a bane on Houston residents year-round. They’re at their worst in the winter, partially because there’s little else in bloom at that time and cedar pollen becomes the predominant allergen in the air.

When Do Seasonal Allergies Begin to Manifest?

The emergence of seasonal allergies is highly variable, but they usually start in childhood between ages three and ten years old. While a majority of patients experience symptoms before they turn 20, others may start manifesting symptoms in their early adulthood due to changes in their immune system or new environmental exposures.

Because a substantial majority of Americans struggle with allergies, the chance that you may have them is high. Your individual risk may be elevated if:

• You have other existing allergies
• You have a family history of seasonal allergies
• You have a history of antibiotic use as an infant
• Your mother smoked during pregnancy or your early life
• You have eczema, as drier skin can make it easy for allergens to seep through and infiltrate your immune system
• You’ve been regularly exposed to environmental allergens that irritate your nose’s lining

Seasonal Allergy Symptom Management

Much to the chagrin of millions, there is no cure for seasonal allergies, though there are ways to mitigate your symptoms to make recurring allergy seasons more tolerable.

Removing pollen from your body or reducing your exposure can be vital. This may include staying indoors on high pollen days, keeping windows closed, using air purifiers, showering after being outside and regularly mowing your lawn in the summer. Using a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages can also help remove pollen and reduce congestion.

Some allergy sufferers may utilize a prescription to manage their symptoms. Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids can also be an effective way to alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms.

For those with severe allergies, allergy shots (immunotherapy) can help build tolerance and reduce symptoms over time, although these are less commonly prescribed or recommended than over-the-counter symptom management medications. It’s critical to discuss your options with your doctor, who will be able to provide a personalized treatment plan and recommend effective and safe solutions.

At St. Hope Healthcare, we’ve been providing dedicated management options for seasonal allergies for nearly 25 years. Learn more about our services or schedule an appointment today by calling (713) 778-1300.