As much as 30% of the population is affected by hay fever, an affliction that, although annoying, is not anything to worry about. If you think you have hay fever, but you are not quite sure, then it can be helpful to find out what are the most common signs of hay fever.
What are the most common symptoms of hay fever?
Although it can differ from one person to another, the most common symptoms of hay fever are:
- A runny or stuffy nose;
- Excessive sneezing;
- Watery, itchy, or red eyes;
- A cough;
- Swollen eyes, known as allergic shiners;
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue.
What causes hay fever?
Some people only experience hay fever at certain times of the year, whereas others have symptoms all year round.
The most common causes of hay fever are:
- Tree pollen which is most common in early spring;
- Grass pollen which is common in late spring and summer;
- Ragweed pollen which is most common in fall;
- Dust mites which are present all year;
- Pet dander;
- Fungi and mold spores can be seasonal or all year round.
There are certain groups of people who are more susceptible to hay fever, including:
- Those with asthma;
- Those with eczema or atopic dermatitis;
- Those with a family history of hay fever;
- Those who work in an environment with exposure to allergens or pet dander;
- Having a mother who smoked during a child’s first year of life.
What are the best hay fever treatments?
The type of treatment that you need will depend on how severe your hay fever is and what causes it.
If you only suffer from mild symptoms, you can use an over-the-counter treatment (OTC) without the need to see a doctor or pharmacist. You may need to try a few different brands and types of OTC treatments before you find what works best for you.
However, if you suffer badly from hay fever, you should make an appointment with your doctor, who can give you a prescription medication that is more powerful than OTC remedies.
Alternatively, mometasone spray is highly effective and can be bought online from an online pharmacist. This nasal spray is designed to reduce inflammation in the nose and can be purchased without a prescription.
How can I tell the difference between hay fever and a cold?
It can be hard to tell the difference between hay fever and the common cold as the symptoms of these ailments are very similar. That being said, there are a few key differences that you can look out for.
Typically, the symptoms of a cold start to manifest themselves after between 1-2 days of exposure to the cold virus. With hay fever, however, the symptoms should appear immediately after exposure to allergens.
Furthermore, you should not experience a fever when you have hay fever, but you can get a low-grade fever with the common cold.
Finally, you should only feel unwell with a cold for between 3-7 days, whereas, with hay fever, you can suffer throughout the year or during hay fever season.
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