What is the real name for hay fever?

The proper name is allergic rhinitis, which means inflammation inside your nose. Hay fever symptoms mostly affect your nose, but also the eyes, skin, and roof of the mouth.

What does hay fever stand for?

Fast facts on hay fever Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth.

What is the origin of the term hay fever?

Although John Bostock was the first to write about hay fever, he wasn’t responsible for its name. In fact, the term “hay fever” takes its name from a popular idea in the 19th century that the smell of hay in the summer irritated the body.

What do they call hayfever in America?

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes.

What is the best medication for hay fever?

Over-the-counter pills include loratadine (Claritin, Alavert), cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy) and fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy). The prescription antihistamine nasal sprays azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase) can relieve nasal symptoms.

Why do keep sneezing?

Almost anything that irritates your nose can make you sneeze. Sneezing, also called sternutation, is usually triggered by particles of dust, pollen, animal dander, and the like. It’s also a way for your body to expel unwanted germs, which can irritate your nasal passages and make you want to sneeze.

Can hay fever cause wheezing?

Environmental allergies can affect your airway in unique ways: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) affects your nose and sinuses, and may cause sneezing, congestion, and an itchy nose and eyes. Asthma mainly affects your lungs, and may cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath or rapid breathing.

Is hay fever a modern problem?

Today, hay fever has reached epidemic proportions and afflicts more than a fifth of the British population, even in towns where you might imagine grass pollen is less of a problem. This statistic has been blamed on modern lifestyles, including factors such as obsessive hygiene and excessive use of antibiotics.

Did cavemen get hayfever?

Our ancestors didn’t suffer from hay fever and food allergies were extremely rare even a few decades ago.

How do you know if you have hay fever or just a cold?

A cold can include a sore throat, coughing, and in more severe cases, a fever. Hay fever usually involves itchy or watery eyes. A cold usually lasts one to two weeks, while hay fever can last for weeks or months, depending on the pollen count. The higher the pollen count, the worse the symptoms will be.

What is the medical definition of hay fever?

Medical Definition of hay fever. : an acute allergic reaction to pollen that is usually seasonal and is marked by sneezing, nasal discharge and congestion, and itching and watering of the eyes. — called also pollinosis. Keep scrolling for more.

What causes sneezing, itching and watery eyes in hay fever?

hay fever. (hā) An allergic reaction to pollen that results in sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Hay fever occurs during pollination season and can be caused by the pollens of many different plants, especially ragweed and certain trees and grasses.

What are the signs and symptoms of hayfever?

Hay fever signs and symptoms can include: Runny nose and nasal congestion. Watery, itchy, red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis) Sneezing. Cough. Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.

How to tell if you have hay fever or allergic rhinitis?

What is the real name for hay fever? The proper name is allergic rhinitis, which means inflammation inside your nose. Hay fever symptoms mostly affect your nose, but also the eyes, skin, and roof of the mouth. What does hay fever stand for? Fast facts on hay fever Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, can…