Hay Fever

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is an especially common chronic nasal problem in adolescents and young adults.
Allergies to inhalants like pollen, dust, and animal dander begin to cause sinus and nasal symptoms in early childhood.
Infants and young children are especially susceptible to allergic sensitivity to foods and indoor allergens.
Sonny, one of the team members, suffers from Hay Fever every year from March until July.
He is allergic to the pollen of grass.



Allergic rhinitis typically results from two conditions: family history/genetic predisposition to allergic disease and exposure to allergens.
Allergens are substances that produce an allergic response.
Children are not born with allergies but develop symptoms upon repeated exposure to environmental allergens.
The earliest exposure is through food—and infants may develop eczema, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and wheezing caused by one or more allergens (milk protein is the most common). Allergies can also contribute to repeated ear infections in children. In early childhood, indoor exposure to dust mites, animal dander, and mold spores may cause an allergic reaction, often lasting throughout the year. Outdoor allergens including pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds primarily cause seasonal symptoms.

The number of patients with allergic rhinitis has increased in the past decade, especially in urban areas.
Before adolescence, twice as many boys as girls are affected; however, after adolescence, females are slightly more affected than males.
Researchers have found that children born to a large family with several older siblings and day care attendance seem to have less likelihood of developing allergic disease later in life.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis symptoms can vary with the season and type of allergen and include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy eyes and nose. A year-long exposure usually produces nasal congestion (chronic stuffy nose).

How is allergic rhinitis treated?

The most common treatment recommendation is to avoid the allergens causing the allergic sensitivity.
The physician will work with caregivers to develop an avoidance strategy based on the nature of the allergen, exposure, and availability of avoidance measures.
Cost and lifestyle are important factors to consider. For mild, seasonal allergies, avoidance could be the most effective course of action. If pet dander is the offender, consideration should be given to removing the pet from the child's environment.

Severe symptoms, multiple allergens, year-long exposure, and limited resources for environmental control may call for additional treatment measures. Nasal saline irrigations, nasal steroid sprays, and non-sedating antihistamines are indicated for symptom control. Nasal steroids are the most effective in reducing nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. A short burst of oral steroids may be appropriate for some patients with severe symptoms or to gain control during acute attacks.