ARTICLE>> Hay Fever
by Jason Easter. Health Promotion Officer

What exactly is hay fever?
"Hayfever" is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Many substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever and hay represents only a small percentage.

Hayfever (medically known as 'seasonal allergic rhinitis') is a very common condition, that affects 2 to 3 million people in Britain every year.

Allergic rhinitis is the general name given to an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the nasal passages - allergic being the general term for hypersensitivity to something, and rhinitis meaning inflammation in the nose.

What causes hay fever?
Any substance can cause an allergy if exposed to a person in the right way. But for all practical purposes and with few exceptions, allergic rhinitis is caused by proteins. Commonly, allergic rhinitis is a result of an allergic person coming in contact several times with protein from plants. Many trees, grasses, and weeds produce extremely small, light, dry protein particles called pollen. This pollen is spread by the wind. These pollen particles are usually the male sex cells of the plant and are smaller than the tip of a pin or less than 40 microns in diameter. Even though pollen is usually invisible in the air, pollen is a potent stimulator of allergy. Pollen lodges in the nasal lining tissues (mucus membranes) and other parts of the respiratory tract where it does harm to an allergic person. A person is programmed to be allergic by his/her genetic makeup and is destined to be allergic from birth.

What are the symptoms of hay fever and how would you tell the difference from a cold?
Symptoms frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose. Sneezing, nose and eye itching, and tearing eyes. Post nasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of smell and taste occurs occasionally. Observers of the person experiencing hay fever will commonly notice frequent rubbing of the nose using the index finger. This is the so-called "allergic salute".

When allergic rhinitis symptoms appear briefly and not severe, it can be difficult to tell the difference between allergic rhinitis and a cold.

The difference between the two is that allergic rhinitis is recurrent, with more severe symptoms. You will also probably have more itchiness and irritation with hay fever and see a pattern emerging whereby it will occur more often at certain times of the year or in particular environments.

With hay fever, the symptoms only disappear when the allergen is taken away or treatment is administered.

What is the treatment for hay fever?
Treatment for allergic rhinitis depends on the severity of your symptoms. Once the allergen or allergens are identified, your GP will discuss how you can minimise your exposure to them.

Is there any way of preventing hay fever?
Preventing this condition can be difficult because there is a strong genetic factor.
Decreasing the risk of allergic sensitivity is the most effective strategy. Environmental changes can minimise your sensitivity to various allergens. These preventive measures should be started early in life.

Some preventative measures are: