Hay fever symptoms
In the main, hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that causes inflammation in the membranes of the following areas:
• the nasal cavities;
• the whites of the eyes;
• the Eustachian tubes (in the ear);
• the middle ear;
• the nasal sinuses (the cavities within the bones and tissues of the face that connect them with the nasal cavities);
• the pharynx (the cavity behind the nose and mouth that connects them with the oesophagus, or gullet).
In hay fever, the nose is always affected, and many individuals experience problems in the other areas mentioned. As a result, sneezing, a runny nose and nasal congestion occur – the symptoms we all experience when we come down with a cold (the medical term for which is infective rhinitis). A cold results from catching a viral infection, whereas hay fever is caused by being allergic to particular pollens. A person who is plagued by several allergies, such as to certain foods, household cleaning fluids and/or medications, or has asthma and/or eczema, is far more likely to develop hay fever than a person who is not prone to these things.
The effect of hay fever can vary greatly, some people experiencing mild symptoms and others far more severe. It is not unusual for a person to have mild symptoms that later become far more pronounced, and vice versa.
The symptoms associated with hay fever arise because the immune system of a susceptible person reacts to pollen and moulds as if they are harmful substances – a threat to good health. On reaching the cells that line the mouth, nose, eyes and throat of the person, irritation results, at which a special type of antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) is released into the bloodstream to attack the pollen or mould. IgE then triggers the release of more chemicals, including histamine – and it is this cocktail of chemicals that produces the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
The symptoms that are most commonly linked to hay fever include those listed here.
Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, ears and skin
Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, ears and skin
On contact with pollen, someone with an allergy to it is likely to experience itching in the nose, eyes, throat, roof of the mouth (soft palate), ears and even the skin. Most people with hay fever have itching in just a few of these places, whereas a few have it in them all.
Frequent sneezing
When the mucous membranes – the tissues lining the nose – are irritated by pollen, the body’s immediate and automatic response is to try to blow it out. This is the phenomenon we call sneezing.
Streaming nose and eyes
If sneezing is unsuccessful at removing the irritant, the tissues lining the nose start to swell, producing a clear, watery liquid (referred to as mucus). The aim of this mucus is to wash out the irritant. In addition, the irritant can cause the eyes to become red, watery and itchy. The watering is the eyes’ automatic response to the presence of an irritant and their attempt to remove it. The eyes may also become bloodshot.
The symptoms related to the eyes are combined in the term allergic conjunctivitis, which means inflammation of the whites of the eyes.
Blocked nose
When the lining of the nose continues to swell, it begins to block the passage of air and the person has no choice but to breathe through his or her mouth – a situation termed nasal congestion. The mucus now also becomes thicker (catarrh) and may also cause earache, headache and the feeling of plugged-up ears.
Coughing
A blocked nose will result in the dripping of mucus down the back of the throat, which in turn causes coughing.
Poor concentration
It is common to experience poor concentration with hay fever – and not only because sore, itchy eyes, a streaming nose and so on are a distraction from what you are trying to do. The symptoms of hay fever can cause irritability and a general feeling of being unwell, which makes it difficult to concentrate.
Listlessness
The presence of hay fever symptoms often causes listlessness and a feeling of being drained.
Disturbed sleep
Hay fever symptoms can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. It’s not unusual to experience poor sleep for several nights in a row, which is likely to lead to further listlessness and fatigue. The blocked nasal passages in hay fever can also cause snoring, which may keep your partner awake!
Less common symptoms
Some of the less common symptoms of hay fever include the following:
• wheezing
• impaired sense of smell
• impaired sense of taste
• face pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
• nose bleeding
• flushing and sweats
• depression
• allergy to some fruits.