Understanding Hay Fever: Triggers and Management

Image credit: raisingchildren.net.au

Is hay fever a seasonal allergy?

That’s the common term for seasonal allergies. The proper name is allergic rhinitis, which means inflammation inside your nose. Hay fever symptoms mostly affect your nose, but also the eyes, skin, and roof of the mouth.

Is hay fever contagious?

Unlike immune reactions caused by a virus or bacteria, the condition is not contagious. Murdoch Children’s Research Institute allergy immunology research group head Professor Mimi Tang says hay fever is often trivialised, but it can seriously affect a person’s quality of life.

Does hay fever cause a fever?

Hay fever is common — it affects 1 in 5 people in Australia. Despite its name, it’s not caused by hay and doesn’t cause a fever. What are the symptoms of hay fever? You might only experience some of these symptoms, and still have hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

How long does hay fever last?

Hay fever lasts for as long as you are exposed to the allergens, typically several weeks. Colds usually last just three to seven days. Hay fever produces a runny nose with a thin, watery discharge. Colds cause a runny nose with thicker discharge that may be yellow in color. Hay fever does not cause a fever. Colds typically cause a low-grade fever.

When does hay fever occur?

Tree pollens tend to affect people from March to May (early to late spring) each year. Other people may be allergic to weed pollens (including nettles and docks). Weeds tend to pollinate from early spring to early autumn. In medical terms, hay fever causes a condition called seasonal allergic rhinitis.

How common is hay fever?

Hay fever is very common. Estimates vary; some say it affects about 1 in 5 people in the UK, but others suggest it may affect up to half of all people. Hay fever - like other allergies - is becoming more common in the UK and other countries. We don't fully know why this is happening.

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.

What Is Hay Fever

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039
2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever
3. https://www.houseofwellness.com.au/health/conditions/hay-fever-symptoms-treatment
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/hay-fever-symptoms
5. https://www.myhayfever.com.au/en-au/hayfever/about-hayfever/what-is-hayfever
6. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hay-fever
7. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8622-allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever
8. https://www.webmd.com/allergies/understanding-hay-fever-basics