What Is Hay Fever And Its Symptoms?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • sneezing and coughing.
  • a runny or blocked nose.
  • itchy, red or watery eyes.
  • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.
  • loss of smell.
  • pain around your temples and forehead.
  • headache.
  • earache.

What triggers hay fever?

Hay fever is caused by

the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens

, such as pollens, dust mite, moulds and animal hair. Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever.

What are the signs and symptoms of hay fever?

  • sneezing and coughing.
  • a runny or blocked nose.
  • itchy, red or watery eyes.
  • itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.
  • loss of smell.
  • pain around your temples and forehead.
  • headache.
  • earache.

Can you suddenly get hayfever?


You can get hay fever at any age

, although it usually begins in childhood or during the teenage years. It’s more common in boys than girls. In adults, men and women are equally affected. You’re more likely to develop hay fever if you have a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema.

What is the best cure for hayfever?

  • Buy some hay fever tablets, aka antihistamines. …
  • Buy Corticosteroid nasal sprays and drops. …
  • Buy a nasal decongestant. …
  • Buy a cellulose powder nasal spray. …
  • Buy some eye drops. …
  • Buy a nasal balm or salve. …
  • Have a spoonful of honey. …
  • Carotenoids.

How do you know if you have hay fever or just a cold?

A cold can include a sore throat, coughing, and in more severe cases, a fever. Hay fever usually involves

itchy or watery eyes

. A cold usually lasts one to two weeks, while hay fever can last for weeks or months, depending on the pollen count. The higher the pollen count, the worse the symptoms will be.

Is hay fever infectious?

Common causes include dust mites, mold, pet dander and pollen from trees and plants. Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of the nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis is not the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold.

Hay fever is not contagious.

Is hay fever worse at night?

While allergic rhinitis can occur at any time of day,

symptoms may appear to be worse at night

as it is mainly triggered by dust mites and mould spores contained within curtains, carpets, bedding and mattresses.

Is hay fever worse this year?


Yes

. As the earth warms as a result of climate change, pollen season is lasting longer and there is generally more of it in the air, all of which is bad news for hay fever sufferers.

Does hayfever make you tired?

How do allergies cause fatigue?

Yes, allergies can make you feel tired

. Most people with a stuffy nose and head caused by allergies will have some trouble sleeping. But allergic reactions can also release chemicals that cause you to feel tired.

Can hayfever give you a headache?

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever,

can cause a headache

, possibly due to swelling in the sinus passages. However, headaches are not a typical symptom of hay fever.

Does honey help hayfever?

Many people swear that a teaspoon of local honey each day desensitises you to pollen and helps alleviate hay fever symptoms. Sadly,

there is no scientific evidence to support this

. In fact, bees don’t pollinate grass and trees, and the pollen in honey is the heavy, flower-based pollen that doesn’t cause hay fever.

Is breathlessness a symptom of hay fever?

In addition to the symptoms listed above, people who suffer from both asthma and allergic rhinitis are likely to experience asthmatic symptoms during an attack of hay fever. Most commonly these include a tight feeling in the chest, wheezing and

shortness of breath

.

How do you get rid of hay fever naturally?

  1. Drink fenugreek seed tea. …
  2. Eat more ginger and garlic. …
  3. Eat local honey and beeswax or fresh honeycomb. …
  4. Add fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) to your diet. …
  5. Modify your diet. …
  6. Avoid chlorinated swimming pools. …
  7. Try nasal irrigation. …
  8. Use homeopathic remedies.

What should I eat if I have hay fever?

  • Ginger. Many of the unpleasant allergy symptoms come from inflammatory issues, like swelling and irritation in the nasal passages, eyes, and throat. …
  • Bee pollen. …
  • Citrus fruits. …
  • Turmeric. …
  • Tomatoes. …
  • Salmon and other oily fish. …
  • Onions.

Does Vicks help with hayfever?

Try putting a towel over your head and breathing in steam, this should help to open your airways. Popping a

decongestant

like Vicks in the bowl can also speed the process along.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.