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Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis)

Do you suffer from a runny or stuffy nose a lot of the time? In the U.S., about 40 million people do. This problem is called rhinitis.  If you sneeze and have a runny or stuffy nose during the spring, summer or fall allergy seasons, this is called seasonal allergic rhinitis or “hay fever”.

Hay fever is the most common type of allergy problem. It mainly affects the eyes and nose. Hay fever symptoms include sneezing, itching, runny or stuffy nose and red, watery eyes.

Rhinitis can be a problem all year or only some of the year. It can be a problem when inside or when outside. Allergy symptoms are caused when someone has a problem with a certain substance. These substances are called allergens. Allergens can be inside, such as pet dander, cockroaches, mold spores, or dust mites. Allergens can be outside such as tree and grass pollen in the spring, and weed pollen and mold spores in the summer and fall. Hay fever is mainly an allergy caused by outdoor allergens.

To learn more about Hay Fever (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis), listen to our podcast featuring Rohit Katial, MD.

 

How can you manage symptoms?

The best way to prevent hay fever is to avoid the things to which you are allergic. Because hay fever is caused by outdoor allergies, this can be hard to do. There are some things you can do to help:

  • Keep your doors and windows shut during pollen season.
  • Use an air conditioner to cool your home instead of coolers or fans that bring in outside air.
  • Consider pollen counts when planning outdoor activities. It may help to limit your outdoor activities when pollen and mold counts are at their highest.

 

Pollen and Mold Counts Can Vary Throughout the Day

Peak times are:

  • grass: afternoon and early evening;
  • ragweed: early midday;
  • mold: some types peak during warm, dry, windy afternoons; other types occur at high levels during periods of dampness and rain and peak in the early morning hours.

Check Denver's pollen count.

Learn more about environmental control .

 

What is the treatment?

Antihistamines

Antihistamines can help with allergy symptoms. They may be used daily during allergy season or when allergy symptoms occur. There are many different antihistamines. If one doesn’t work, another can be tried. Some can make you sleepy and some do not.

Common antihistamines that do not make you sleepy:

  • Claritin® (loradtadine)
  • Clarinex® (desloratadine)
  • Allegra® (fexafenadine)
  • Zyrtec® (cetirizine) (can cause some people to be sleepy)

Some over-the-counter antihistamines can make you feel sleepy. They may also affect thinking and your reflexes.  If you take one of these, use caution when driving or using any kind of machine.

Astelin® (azelastine) is an antihistamine nasal spray. It usually does not make you sleepy.

 

Nasal Steroid Sprays

Nasal steroid sprays work well to reduce nasal symptoms of sneezing, runny and stuffy nose. A steroid nasal spray may work after several hours or take several days to work. Nasal steroids work best if you take them daily.

Common nasal steroid sprays:

  • Beconase®, Beconase AQ®, Vancenase®, Vancenase AQ® (beclomethasone)
  • Rhinocort® (flunisolide)
  • Nasarel® (flunisolide)
  • Flonase® (fluticasone)
  • Nasonex® (mometasone)
  • Nasacort®, Nasacort AQ® (triamcinolone)

 

Nasal Wash

A nasal wash with salt water may help clean out your nose. When done routinely, this can also lessen post-nasal drip. If you do a nasal wash, do this before using other nasal medicine.

 

Decongestants

Decongestants help when your nose is stuffy (congestion). They are in pills, liquids or nasal sprays. You can buy many of them without a prescription. Decongestant nasal sprays can cause problems when taken too long. You should stop using the spray after 4 days. If you use them more, they can cause you to feel stuffy a short time after each spray.

Learn about how to time your allergy medication for the best effect.

 

Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

People with allergies do not have problems when around all things. It may be helpful to find out what is causing your allergy symptoms. Allergy testing can do this. Allergy testing may not be needed if your symptoms are not a problem.

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be helpful for specific allergies that aren’t controlled with medicines.  At National Jewish Health, we recommend that you see a board-certified allergist for allergy testing or allergy shots.

Allergy symptoms can be managed so you can have an active, fun spring and summer outdoors. Talk with you doctor if you think you have allergy symptoms. Your doctor is your partner in your allergy care.

 

This information has been approved by Richard Weber, MD (May 2006).

Note: This information is provided to you as an educational service of National Jewish Health. It is not meant to be a substitute for consulting with your own physician.

© Copyright 2008 National Jewish Health