Hay fever reflects symptoms that are very similar to cold. However, unlike its name, it is an allergic reaction to indoor and outdoor irritants. They may include dust mites, pollen, and the saliva of dogs, cats, and other animals having feathers and fur. The actual name of this disease is allergic rhinitis, and it may show symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, cough, headache, and watery eyes. If you experience these signs and symptoms, consult with a GP. You may need treatment.
How does allergic rhinitis symptomize, and how it affects people?
Allergic reactions to airborne elements and irritants may show signs and symptoms very alike to cold. However, your GP may diagnose and tell if you have allergic rhinitis or a common cold. You may have the following symptoms if you have hay fever-
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose
- Red eyes
- The appearance of blue colour under the eyes
The allergic reaction may disrupt your life by disordering your conduct at school and work. Nevertheless, you do not need to tolerate the symptoms and go with the condition. Avoiding the triggers and staying away from the things, which can make your condition worse, can help relieve your disease.
How do you know if it is hay fever or common cold?
As discussed above, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the common cold are very similar. However, to fetch the correct treatment, you may need to make sure if you have an allergy or a cold-causing virus has made a room in your body.
The following differences may help you distinguish between both of the conditions-
Signs and symptoms
You may have symptoms like a runny nose, cough, and watery eyes when you have hay fever. On the other hand, a common cold may show signs and symptoms, such as yellow discharge, minor fever, runny nose, and body aches.
The Occurrence
Allergic rhinitis occurs when people are exposed to irritants. Conversely, the common cold takes place after 2-3 days a person comes in the exposure of the cold-causing virus.
Duration
The disease of hay fever remains until the time when a person is exposed to the irritants. On the other hand, a common cold may last for around three days to a week.
These pointers may help distinguish between both of the diseases. However, if your symptoms do not improve, reach out to a GP. He or she may assist in looking for the appropriate hay fever treatment.
When are people more prone to an allergic reaction to airborne matters and irritants?
People are more prone to allergic rhinitis in the warm, humid, and windy climate when the pollen count is high. The time of the year between March and September may be dangerous for people who have an allergy to the following things-
- Ragweed pollen; they are common in fall
- Tree pollen; you can see them in early spring
- Indoor spores
- Grass pollen; they are common in summer and late spring
- Outdoor fungi
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Molds
- Cockroaches
What can cause allergic rhinitis?
Hay fever is the allergic reaction to irritants such as pollen and other allergens like dust mites, molds, pet dander, or saliva of dogs and cats.
When a person has allergic rhinitis, his or her immune system recognizes the nontoxic airborne stuff as damaging substances. Consequently, your immune system begins making antibodies to these risk-free matters. When you come in exposure to these elements, your immune system secretes chemicals named histamines into your bloodstream as per the indications of antibodies. The secretion of histamines against the undamaging elements results in an allergic reaction, showing the hay fever symptoms.
What can elevate the risk of having allergic rhinitis?
Certain factors or diseases can accelerate your risk of falling for allergic reactions to airborne substances. The common ones are-
Having a blood relative of asthma or allergies
If your mother smoked during your growing years, you are at risk of having an allergic response to allergens
Having respiratory infections or allergies
Working in a surrounding or living in such an area where you come in contact with dust mites, pet dander, or other allergens can make you prone to hay fever.
Had or have eczema
If you have any of these risk factors, consult your GP for tips to avoid the complications. It may also help support your healing.
What can help treat allergic rhinitis?
Various over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help relieve your symptoms. In many cases, a combination of one or two drugs may bring better results. However, discuss with your GP about the medications and their combinations that may suit your health. Some effective treatments for allergic rhinitis are-
Oral corticosteroids
These medications are used for a temporary moment. Its continual use can result in muscle weakness, cataracts, and osteoporosis. However, oral corticosteroids can help relieve severe hay fever symptoms.
Nasal corticosteroids
These treatments are available as sprays and ease the inflammation caused by the disease. Nasal corticosteroids allow a durable relief but benefit people within a week. Moreover, these sprays may cause nasal irritation and give a nasty smell.
Eye drops
Eye drops can help ease the swelling and irritation in the eyes. They contain cromoglicate and are used with other drugs most of the time.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy deals with making the immune system inactive to the irritants that evoke the symptoms of an allergic response to airborne stuff. It gives lasting relief and is provided in allergy shots. However, doctors may recommend sublingual drops to people who have serious symptoms and are not benefitted from other remedies.
This hay fever remedy may help alleviate the symptoms. Moreover, it also puts off the development of new allergies and asthma. Doctors give the injections. However, medications taken by mouth and sublingual drops can be done at home.
Antihistamine treatments
These treatments impede the secretion of histamine chemicals. You can find antihistamines in the form of tablets and sprays over the counter. Moreover, these tablets and sprays relieve itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing. However, they do not clean off congested sinuses.
Are there alternate therapies?
Certain alternative remedies such as acupuncture may improve the symptoms of hay fever. However, no study or research proves the fact. Do not use herbal treatments that too without the consultation of your GP. In addition, if you are pregnant, always seek the opinion of your GP before using any medications. It will help choose the correct treatment and avoid the potential side effects on the growing foetus.
