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Hayfever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic response to pollen that
affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and airways.
Symptoms include
itchy, watery eyes and nose, sneezing and emotional irritability. While
many of the symptoms of hay fever resemble those of the common cold,
the nasal discharge of an allergy sufferer is clear and thin, as opposed
to thick and yellow green as the cold progresses. In addition, colds
usually last a week, whereas allergy sufferers continually have the
symtoms noted above for a period of several weeks.
The three hay
fever seasons are: February to May - when tree pollens begin to appear,
late spring and summer - when grass pollens are in the air, and fall
- ragweed pollen season. Depending on the allergy, hayfever may be
present at any or all of these times.
People who suffer
from hayfever symptoms throughout the year are said to have perennial
rhinitis, for which triggers can include animal hair, dust, feathers
and fungus.
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