Hay fever, what it depends on

Hay fever manifests with the symptoms of a common cold: nasal congestion, red eyes, frequent sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, runny nose, excessive tearing, asthma. What causes it is the allergic reaction to external or internal allergens, such as pollen from certain plantains (grasses, such as cereals, poplar, ash, and birch).

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis affects 1 in 5 people and is therefore very common, usually mostly in the spring period.

In sensitive people, in fact, exposure to these allergens leads precisely to allergy as their immune system responds exaggeratedly to these substances, which would normally be harmless, considering them harmful and producing specific antibodies (IgE) to combat them.

IgE meanwhile binds to other cells of the immune system, mast cells, which release large amounts of histamine.

Histamine is the substance that causes common cold symptoms (dilation of arterial capillaries and thus secretion of watery mucus, itching sensation, sneezing, and so on).

The diagnosis of hay fever

The diagnosis of hay fever is made by the allergist based on symptoms, medical history, and allergy tests (on skin or blood). This will also allow the best care and treatment to be determined, not least because, if left untreated, hay fever can lead to complications such as sinusitis, otitis media, and bronchial asthma.

Indeed, treatment involves the use of antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops, which are effective in controlling symptoms.

In any case, those who know that they suffer from hay fever might implement behaviors to try to limit the possibility of suffering from it, such as checking the pollen bulletin providing up-to-date information on the’opening of the pollen season and the daily concentration of allergens in the air.

In this way, if possible, it will be possible to avoid going outside on days when there is a high concentration of pollen.