Hayfever
What is Hayfever?
Hayfever is an allergy, which results in irritation/inflammation of the delicate linings of:
- The nose (allergic rhinitis)
- The eyes (allergic conjunctivitis, "hayfever eyes")
If you suffer from hayfever, you probably react to one (or more) of the following airborne allergens:
- Grass pollens from rye grass, timothy grass and others
- Tree pollens from oak, elm, ash, birch or hazel
- Certain mould spores
Hayfever is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, because the symptoms are typically seasonal, recurring annually when the atmospheric levels of pollen or spores are highest.
In some people, hayfever-like symptoms occur throughout the year in the condition of perennial allergic rhinitis. This condition results from an allergy to substances, which are continuously present such as house dust mites, animal fur, certain chemicals, medicines or foods.
Hayfever and perennial allergic rhinitis are more likely to occur in conjunction with other allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema. Certainly, anyone with a family history of allergic problems has an increased chance of developing hayfever.