Medical terms for hay fever include allergic rhinitis and pollenosis. Rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes, refers to hay fever’s effects on the nose. The most common symptoms are sneezing, postnasal drip, runny or stuffy nose, watery and itchy eyes, insomnia and itchy skin. 

Your physician will collect your medical history with a focus on your known allergies and whether you have a family history of asthma, eczema, psoriasis, hay fever or other allergies. A history of one of these inflammatory conditions increases your risk for developing hay fever. 

Other questions will focus on the pattern of your allergic symptoms to uncover your allergen triggers. If the intensity of your symptoms changes throughout the year, you may have seasonal allergic rhinitis cause by pollen. If you your symptoms worsen when you are exposed to cats, you may be allergic to pet dander.

A skin test can identify the specific allergen causing your symptoms. It is relatively painless and tolerated by very young patients. The prick-puncture method introduces trace amounts of the suspected allergen to your skin. If the skin reddens and swells, this indicates that you have positive reaction and are sensitized to this allergen. Your sensitized-immune system identifies the substance as a threat and produces antibodies to attack it. The antibodies bind with special cells and release histamine. This starts a cascade of respiratory symptoms. 

Hay fever is more prevalent when trees, grasses and weeds pollinate. The most effective strategy to manage an allergy is to identify and avoid the allergen that is causing your symptoms. Patients with hay fever can use the pollen count information to plan their day and better manage their symptoms. Pollen count reports provide specific information for each major allergen in a geographic area. Pollen levels fluctuate throughout the year and with various environmental conditions. Rain cleanses the air of pollen and reduces pollen counts. Spring is the primary pollination cycle for trees. Grasses normally pollinate in the spring and summer. Weeds pollinate in the later part of the summer and fall.

Your treatment plan is based on the severity of your symptoms. Antihistamines counter the effect of histamine and prevent the allergic symptoms. Some over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, are inexpensive but are short-acting and can cause drowsiness. Other longer-acting, non-sedating histamines are available without a prescription.

Decongestant nose sprays are a quick and effective way to clear a stuffy nose, however they are not recommended as a long-term treatment. They are often used as a pretreatment for nasal steroids.

Intranasal corticosteroids sprays are effective for most people. They reduce the swelling of the nasal passages and reduce the stuffiness. These medicines take several hours to work. For best results, you should follow the dosing schedule and take them regardless of your symptoms.