People suffer from many seasonal allergy related disorders and allergic rhinitis is one of them. It is alternatively known as Hay fever. The conditions of the disease can haunt a victim for months. Its origin is linked to fungal spores and pollen released by some trees. It affects nearly 9 million victims in the UK, on an average.

Causes of Hay Fever

This disease attacks people in various parts of the year. This is because different trees release pollens and blooms in different seasons. As a matter of fact, the season for Hay fever usually starts in February when the trees commence releasing pollen modules in the air and can persist till May.

The trees that are held responsible for releasing pollens include oak and birch. The majority of people suffering from Hay fever are also sensitive to the grass pollens that are found in the air from March to September. In the later part of the year, the fungal spores and weed pollens grow in quantity and aggravate the problem.

Apart from the trees and shrubs, the weather of a region also plays a considerable role in causing and spreading the disease. The amount of pollens in the air is indicated by the unit called pollen count. It means the amount of pollen molecules found in one cubic meter of the air in a place. If the wind is strong it can scatter the grains in many directions and affect a larger number of people. The sunshine and rain also helps the flowers to bloom and release the pollen molecules. It is these pollen molecules that are responsible for causing hay fever in people.

The amount of the pollens released also varies with the time of the day. Trees tend to release more pollen in the morning. A rainy day leads to lesser amount of pollens being released in the air and thus reduces pollen levels. Thus the chances of getting affected by hay fever is less during rainy days.

Hay fever Symptoms

The effect of hay fever varies from person to person. The most prevalent signs of this ailment are itching nose, mild fever and incessant coughing. Some people may suffer from a runny nose. This disease affects the sensory nerves in the nose; hence a person afflicted with it can not smell things properly. The victims can also suffer from continuous sneezing and blocked nose. The severe symptoms include fatigue, fever, sore throat and flushing. Because of these problems a person can become irritable as well.

Diagnosis of Hay Fever

The diagnosis of the disease is largely dependant on the track record of the symptoms of a patient. It should be observed whether his symptoms alter as per the various timings of day, season and exposure to certain substances and dietary changes. The allergy tests can indicate if the person is sensitive to any specific material like an allergen. If a person does not want to go through skin testing, a RAST blood test can determine his sensitivity to allergens. Some people allergic to a type of pollen may also show similar signs after having some fruits like potatoes and Apples.

Hay Fever Treatment

The best thing a person sensitive to pollens can do is monitoring the pollen count. They need to ensure that the exposure to pollens is minimized as much as possible. Usually, the symptoms of the ailment appear when the pollen levels goes above 50. Such a person should refrain from going outside during windy or humid days. If he lives in a high apartment he should remember to keep the doors and windows closed during the noon.

The eyes react to the pollens severely so he should cover his eyes with sunglasses. During the peak season of pollen production, clothes should not be put out to dry in open area as it can trap the pollen molecules in the fiber. While traveling in a vehicle, its windows should be kept closed to prevent pollens from getting into the eyes.

People who contract Hay fever can take Steroids, Antihistamines, Sodium cromoglycate and Decongestants. Vaccination against the disease is also available. It requires a person to take a number of doses to develop immunity to the pollen particles.