What is hay fever?

Hay fever is the common term for 'allergic rhinitis'. It’s caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens such as pollen, dust mites, fungal spores, animal fur or occupational sources.

Allergens are most commonly proteins or enzymes that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead) to become swollen, irritated and inflamed.

When you have an allergic reaction, your body overreacts to something that would be harmless for most people. Your immune system (the body’s natural defence system) starts to respond as if it’s under threat, and releases a number of chemicals including histamine. This results in swelling and inflammation.

Hay fever symptoms include:

• sneezing
• a runny nose
• itchy eyes.

Hay fever usually begins in childhood or during the teenage years, but you can acquire it at any age. It affects nearly to 1 in 5 Australians at some point in their life, and is more likely to occur if there is a family history of allergies – particularly asthma or eczema. In fact, hay fever and asthma share many of their risk and trigger factors including a genetic predisposition to develop allergic reactions.

Most people are able to relieve their symptoms with treatment – at least to a certain extent.

Speak with your doctor if your symptoms are troublesome as you may require prescription medication.