Horse Grooming

Hayfever – Hayfever Learning Centre   by Jawad Amjad

Hayfever – Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Hayfever is the common term for an allergic reaction that takes place at certain times of the year upon exposure to pollen and fungal spores (not hay!). Hay fever is a common condition that affects 2 to 3 million people in Britain every year. In a recent study conducted it has been confirmed that the overall quality of life is significantly impaired in subjects with allergic rhinitis affecting peoples daily lives, but can be drastically improved by treatment. According to the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECHS), it was found that 21% of the population suffer with allergic rhinitis, but this figure could be higher as a lot of people do not consult their doctor regarding their hay fever, but are treating themselves with over the counter treatments.

The first step in knowing whether you have hay fever is to know what hay fever is exactly and to understand the regulating mechanisms behind the hay fever symptoms.
What is Hay Fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Hayfever is triggered when microscopic pollen particles come into contact with the cells in the nose, mouth and eyes of an allergic person. The allergic reaction happens when the body’s immune system mistakes the pollen for a harmful substance, and tries to defend itself, by releasing antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cells that attack the pollen to rid of them from the body. This causes special chemicals such as Histamine (which can be counteracted with Anti-histamines) to be released; and it is the histamine which causes the allergic symptoms .

Allergic Rhinitus can be classified into 2 groups, seasonal (hay fever) and Perennial Rhinitus. Hay fever is caused by specific pollens or moulds which are released at certain times of the year, whereas Perennial Rhinitus can be caused by a wide range of allergens that produce the same symptoms, commonly house dust. Often people who suffer from hay fever can also be allergic to a range of other allergens too.

Pollens are among the most allergenic of substances and hay fever can have a dramatic impact on severe sufferers lives. You are more likely to get hay fever if there is a prevalence of it in your family, and usually affects people between the ages of 20 – 40. It can interfere with exam results, has a detrimental effect in the work place, through days off sick, and impairs interaction with colleagues through drippy noses and sneezing. Hay fever affects driving and other demanding tasks, either by its symptoms or reduced reflexes due to medication. However, with perseverance, it is possible to control your hay fever effectively, by finding the right medication or by experimenting with a range of solutions.

What is pollen?
Pollen comes from all plant life and is the male part of the flower. Pollens come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the plant species, the average size being 0.05 mm across. Pollen grains contain a large number of proteins, which cause the allergic reaction. The worst pollens for hay fever sufferers are those that are carried by the wind, not those that are carried by insects. This is because vast numbers of them have to be released into the air to combat wastage, whereas the ones distributed by insects are hand delivered directly to their target.

Pollens fall into 3 families, grasses, trees, and herbaceous plants. The common plants associated with hayfever symptoms are as follows:

Grasses

Trees

Herbaceous plants

Couch grass

Birch

Ambrosia

Rye grass

Maple

Golden rod

Fescue

Alder

Nettle

Reeds

Hazel

Plantain

Meadow grass

Beech

Artemisia

Rye

Elm

Sheep sorrel

Meadow fox tail

Willow

Poplar

The Pollen Season
The Pollen Season
If you have hayfever, you may be allergic to only one type of pollen, or several of them. In the UK 95% of people are allergic to grass pollen. The grass pollen season can start as early as may, and not finish until mid August, peaking in late June, early July.

The second most common allergen is Birch pollen, affecting about 25% of hay fever sufferers. The birch season is April. But some trees such as hazel, elm and alder release their pollens as early as January due to the climate change.

Allergy to the pollen from weeds such as nettles is also extremely common, and the season for this can span from April to mid-September.

For most hay fever sufferers the suffering lasts a few weeks, but for unlucky people who are sensitive to a range of pollens it can last for many months.

Hayfever Diagnosis
Hay fever can be diagnosed quite easily; the symptoms and the family history can usually determine whether you have this condition. There are several ways to test for hayfever, the most common being prick skin testing, intradermal skin test, blood testing and patch skin testing to just to mention a few. Most of these tests need to be conducted at a doctors office. Allergymatters can provide Allergy Tests for use at home, which can test your levels of IgE allergy antibodies in a similar way to hospital allergy tests.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of hay fever include a tender, itchy, runny nose accompanied by sneezing and coughing. The sinuses may also begin to swell up, which causes the Eustachian (tube that connects the ear to throat) tube to be blocked, causing stuffiness. Hay fever leads to itchy, watery eyes leading to redness and swelling of the eyes forming dark circles under the eyes. Mucus may drip from the sinus into the throat, which causes the throat to become sore and may also leading to sneezing. Itchiness may also persist deep in the ears, throat and nose. Hayfever can also make conditions such as asthma worse, and bring on a bout of wheezing.

A lot of the symptoms are commonly associated with other allergy conditions such as Dust mite, Asthma, Mould Allergy and Eczema.

Tips for Prevention

There are several steps you can take to minimise the symptoms of Seasonal Rhinitus, or hay fever. Some of the most common preventative methods are: