10/15/2019 / By Darnel Fernandez
Hay fever is a condition that affects close to 20 million American adults, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The term – which many use to describe seasonal allergies and inflammation of the nose and airways – is actually a misnomer: Hay isn’t the cause of the allergic reaction nor does it cause fever. In fact, “hay fever” was first used in the 19th century, based on the popular idea that the smell of hay irritated the body.
“It is not an allergy to hay,” explained sinus specialist Dr. Jordan Josephson in an article from Live Science. “Rather, it is an allergy to weeds that pollinate.”
Most health experts and researchers prefer to use the term allergic rhinitis to describe the condition.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever are similar to those of the common cold. However, these symptoms manifest as soon as a person encounters an allergen, unlike a cold which has an incubation period.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
Allergic rhinitis can also cause headaches, a decreased sense of smell, fatigue, and even asthma, Josephson added.
People can develop allergic rhinitis at any age, but it is especially prevalent during childhood and early adulthood. In fact, the CDC reports that allergic rhinitis affects 5.6 million children under the age of 18. Fortunately, there is evidence that indicates the possibility of people outgrowing allergies with age.
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system attacks a foreign object in the body. In the case of allergic rhinitis, studied have found pollen to be the most common culprit.
Many plants use pollen in order to reproduce. However, they do not have the necessary means to spread pollen on their own. Instead, some plants use means like wind or water to disperse their pollen. Because of this, the pollination season brings about billions of microscopic particles that usually end up in people’s noses or mouths. Some trees like elm, birch, and oak start producing pollen as early as the beginning of spring and continue to produce pollen throughout the entire season.
Some weeds are also major contributors to allergic rhinitis. Ragweed pollen is one of the most common triggers of the condition during the fall season. (Related: Simple home remedies for hayfever and allergies.)
You can manage hay fever and other allergies by understanding the proper ways to prevent and treat an attack. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Here are some natural remedies you can try:
These remedies will surely give you relief from various symptoms of allergic rhinitis. To learn more about allergies and natural ways to treat them, visit Allergies.news.
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