seasonal allergies signs and symptoms
About Hay Fever
In different seasons (spring, summer and fall) during the year, the pollen grains are dispersed by trees, weeds and grasses. These pollen grains travel on air currents to fertilize other plants. Inhalation of pollen some people can trigger seasonal allergic rhinitis is also called pollen allergy or hay fever. In this condition the mucous inflame the nasal passages, causing swelling, sneezing, itching, irritation and a runny nose.
Seasonal allergies are the following:
• May to July / August – grass pollen:
• February to June – Tree pollen (as early as allergic or late flowering trees)
• August-September – Nettle / weed pollen
Symptoms of hay fever occurs all year and may also occur within the mite allergens like house dust, animals and fungi, possibly inside.
Hay fever is actually an attempt by the body to get rid of allergens, but the immune system overreacts and releases of chemicals that cause inflammation, causing:
• Itchy, watery, red eyes
• sneezing
• constantly dripping nose
Sick, afflicted with this condition, are struggling to breathe through the nose. The symptoms are often very poor youth and tails off in later years that the body adapts. Studies have shown that hay fever can seriously affect the quality of life, disrupt sleep patterns, affect the concentration of day and work performance.
What is pollen allergy?
Pollen, once released from trees, weeds and grass, rolling on the air currents with a mission to disperse and fertilize other plants. However, they rarely reach their target. On the way they enter the nose and throat of humans, triggering allergic reactions.
Pollen is one of the most stubborn, which can cause allergies and can not be avoided. Many foods causing allergies, medications, or animals can be avoided, but insects and house dust are unavoidable. However, short of staying indoors, there is no foolproof method to avoid pollen transported by wind. However, the means have been developed to help relieve symptoms hay fever. In addition, scientists seek to find better ways to treat allergies.
The research has provided a better understanding of the causes of allergy, to improve methods for diagnosing and treating allergic reactions and thus ultimately prevent them. The common signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are:
• Sneezing, the most common, may be accompanied by a nose runny or stuffy
• itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Allergic shining (dark circles under the eyes caused by blood flow near sinus)
• The "allergic salute" (in a child, rubbing his persistent upward nose that causes a crease mark on the nose)
• Watering eyes
• Conjunctivitis (IS inflammation of the membrane lining the eyelids, causing red-rimmed eyes)
In pollen sensitive person, as soon as the allergy-causing pollen lands on the mucous membranes of the nose, produces a chain reaction that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine. This powerful chemical dilates the small blood vessels in the nose, causing the liquid to escape through the walls enlarged vessels, which in turn leads to swelling of nasal passages and nasal congestion. Moreover, histamine also causes itching, irritation, and excess mucus production. Similarly, other chemicals such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes contribute also allergic symptoms.
Some people allergic to pollen also develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition, which may eventually become chronic. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath due to narrowing of the bronchi and excessive production of mucus.
