More commonly known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is easily treated. If you or a family member suffers from itchy and watery eyes, as well as a red, congested nose, chances are you have allergic rhinitis. These symptoms only get worse when seasons change.
Like other allergic reactions, hay fever results when allergens (foreign “invaders”) enter your system by way of breathing, swallowing, or through your skin. In the case of hay fever, allergens travel through the air and enter your airways by way of your nose, mouth, throat, and lungs. The majority of the time, it is difficult to identify the specific allergen causing your symptoms. When allergens come in contact with your airways, white blood cells react by producing antibodies to the offending substances. The result is a hypersensitivity reaction to these harmless substances.
One of the most common allergens related to hay fever are pollens. These are small particles, released by flowering plants, which circulate in the air. Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens are the most common allergens that cause reactions in humans. Some of these flowering plants pollinate in the springtime, while others pollinate in late summer or early fall. Differences in rainfall and temperatures, from one year to the next, affect pollen amounts in the air within any given season.
Molds are the other common allergens associated with hay fever. They are a kind of fungus with no leaves, stems, or roots. Their spores travel through the air until they find a friendly host. Molds are not seasonal, as they are present year-long in the majority of the United States, and these allergens grow outdoors and indoors. When found outside, they occur in vegetation, soil, and rotting wood. When they are inside, molds and mildew grow in areas where there is poor circulation (like basements, attics, and moist bathrooms).
