Health Check: Signs and symptoms of hay fever

Answer
Generally, hay fever whose medical term is rhinitis allergy, is triggered by pollen grains in the air that we breathe. Other allergens include dust, pets and insect venom. Allergens are things that trigger allergic reactions.
There are two known causes of allergies like hay fever and these are outdoor conditions which in medical circles are referred to as the environmental factors. Seasonal changes are a major player in the environmentally stimulated hay fever attacks.
These are usually worse when it is dry, hot and windy and pollen count is high. The other type is inherited. If your parents or other close relatives especially on your mother’s side have hay fever then you stand a greater chance of being affected by it.
It can only be properly diagnosed by qualified medical personnel by means of blood and skin tests but there are some symptoms you can watch out for itchy nose, mouth, eyes and sometimes palms and throat. The signs that start showing immediately after exposure to allergens are sneezing, a runny nose and tearing eyes which sometimes end up red and puffy. After some time the nasal passage becomes congested, the throat becomes very sore. At this stage the affected person tends to suffer from fatigue and irritability. Severity of attacks usually varies depending on pollen count in the air. The type of medication you can take is prescribed depending on age and also if you have other medical conditions like asthma, eczema and the like.
You may not be able to avoid all the allergens but you could stay indoors in an air conditioned room. The easy home remedies for hay fever is soda, salt and warm water or antihistamine. If irritation is severe or persists for more than a day you should consult a professional.
Teen doctor out!!!