Seasonal Allergies
Allergy is a short-term inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages.
Seasonal allergies are commonly known as hay fever.
Seasonal allergies are due to the exposure of airborne substances such as pollens from trees, grasses, flowers and weeds which appear only during certain times of the year.
It depends upon the person allergic condition.
Allergy season starts off in the spring and fall when certain trees or grasses pollinate.
This varies throughout the country.
Allergies caused by pollen and other allergens have affected 40 million Americans.
Actually, allergies are not a dangerous condition, but it creates uneasiness and for some people it affects daily activities.
In allergies, airborne pollen from various plants or spores from mold enter our body through the eyes, nose or throat and cause an allergic reaction.
Normally our immune system does not respond to these mild substances.
But for sensitive individuals, the body's defense mechanism looks these substances as an infectious agent and releases a cascade of chemicals which leads to irritation and discomfort.
The symptoms begin within 5 to 10 minutes and last up to an hour or even it may return 2 to 5 hours later.
Hay fever can make the nose, roof of the mouth, back of the throat, and eyes itch.
Itching may start gradually or abruptly.
The nose runs, producing a clear watery discharge, and may become stuffed up.
In children, the stuffy nose leads to an ear infection.
The lining of the nose may become swollen and bluish red.
The sinuses also become stuffed up and cause headaches.
Sneezing is common.
The eyes may water, sometimes profusely, and itch.
The whites of the eyes may become red, and the eyelids may become red and swollen.
Wearing contact lenses can irritate the eyes further.
Other symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and irritability.
The diagnosis is based on symptoms and the circumstances in which they occur.
That is, whether they occur only during certain seasons.
This information will help the doctors to identify the allergen.
The nasal discharge may be examined to see whether it contains eosinophils which are a type of white blood cell produced in large numbers during an allergic reaction.
Skin tests will help to confirm the diagnosis and the identity of the allergen.
Seasonal allergies are commonly known as hay fever.
Seasonal allergies are due to the exposure of airborne substances such as pollens from trees, grasses, flowers and weeds which appear only during certain times of the year.
It depends upon the person allergic condition.
Allergy season starts off in the spring and fall when certain trees or grasses pollinate.
This varies throughout the country.
Allergies caused by pollen and other allergens have affected 40 million Americans.
Actually, allergies are not a dangerous condition, but it creates uneasiness and for some people it affects daily activities.
In allergies, airborne pollen from various plants or spores from mold enter our body through the eyes, nose or throat and cause an allergic reaction.
Normally our immune system does not respond to these mild substances.
But for sensitive individuals, the body's defense mechanism looks these substances as an infectious agent and releases a cascade of chemicals which leads to irritation and discomfort.
The symptoms begin within 5 to 10 minutes and last up to an hour or even it may return 2 to 5 hours later.
Hay fever can make the nose, roof of the mouth, back of the throat, and eyes itch.
Itching may start gradually or abruptly.
The nose runs, producing a clear watery discharge, and may become stuffed up.
In children, the stuffy nose leads to an ear infection.
The lining of the nose may become swollen and bluish red.
The sinuses also become stuffed up and cause headaches.
Sneezing is common.
The eyes may water, sometimes profusely, and itch.
The whites of the eyes may become red, and the eyelids may become red and swollen.
Wearing contact lenses can irritate the eyes further.
Other symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and irritability.
The diagnosis is based on symptoms and the circumstances in which they occur.
That is, whether they occur only during certain seasons.
This information will help the doctors to identify the allergen.
The nasal discharge may be examined to see whether it contains eosinophils which are a type of white blood cell produced in large numbers during an allergic reaction.
Skin tests will help to confirm the diagnosis and the identity of the allergen.
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