What causes HayFever (Allergic Rhinitis)
If you suffer from hayfever then this time of year can be very challenging. As the pollen count starts to rise, hayfever symptoms can dominate your daily experience, sometimes making it difficult to function. But pollen isn’t the only culprit when it comes to hayfever. So, what really causes this condition and what can you do about it if you’re a sufferer?
The causes of hayfever
Also known as allergic rhinitis, hayfever is essentially an allergic reaction in the body. This happens when the body inhales allergens that are so small that they can’t be seen but which can cause a lot of internal disruption. These allergens could be pollen or they could come from pet dander, mold spores or dust mites. Depending on what triggers your hayfever you might suffer with symptoms all year round or you may only have a problem during spring when the pollen count begins to increase.
Why doesn’t hayfever affect everyone?
In many people, the body will simply tolerate allergens and they don’t produce a reaction. However, for hayfever sufferers, when an allergen enters the body it triggers a reaction. The allergen is viewed as intruding by the body, which will then power up the immune system to deal with it. Chemicals are released into the bloodstream to deal with the intruder, the most powerful of which is histamine. It’s histamine that causes the symptoms that are so common in hayfever sufferers.
What are the main symptoms of hayfever?
If you regularly suffer with hayfever then you will have nasal congestion and feel an irritation around the mouth, nose and eyes. Sneezing is very common among hayfever sufferers. You may also experience sinus pain, headaches, increased mucus in the nose and throat, a sore throat, wheezing and generally feeling fatigued. The reason that hayfever tends to get worse in the spring is that the higher pollen count means that there are more allergens in the air and so more irritants to inhale. If you have hayfever then it’s likely that others in your family do too, as it tends to be a condition that is passed down through the generations. It’s important to note that hay fever isn’t contagious like the common cold even though the symptoms can be very similar.
What can you do about hay fever?
Roughly 20% of the population suffers from hayfever and if you fall into this statistic there is plenty that you can do to help manage your condition so that you don’t struggle, especially during the spring and summer months. Antihistamines are often prescribed for hayfever sufferers, as they will block the histamine, which causes the body to start sneezing etc. Decongestants can also be very useful if you’re suffering with a blocked nose and nasal sprays and inhalers may help to reduce inflammation in your nose and sinuses. Leukotriene inhibitors can also make a difference and immunotherapy may be used to help the body learn to tolerate allergens.
Hayfever is a problem, especially at this time of year. However, it doesn’t have to dominate your experience of spring and summer. Find out more information on how Harley Street ENT can help you here.
