Hay fever affects one in every five Americans. Over one billion dollars are spent each year in this country to treat this disorder. Millions of school and work days each year are lost suffering from hay fever symptoms. These figures are probably an underestimate because many sufferers attribute their discomfort to a chronic cold. Although childhood hay fever tends to be more common, this condition can occur at any age and usually occurs after years of repeated inhalation of allergic substances. About 15-20% of the population of the United States has some degree of hay fever. It is found equally in both men and women. Usually hay fever is seasonal, but it can last all year long if the allergen stays throughout the year. Spring and fall are the main hay fever seasons.

Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Many substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever and hay represents only a small percentage. "Allergic rhinitis" is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction. Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of "Rhino," meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis". When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis.

The usual symptoms of hay fever include the following:
*Sneezing
*Runny nose (clear, thin discharge)
*Congested ("stuffy") nose
*Postnasal drip
*Sensation of plugged ear(s)
*Watery, bloodshot eyes
*Itching of nose, soft palate, ear canal, eyes, and/or skin
*Fatigue
*Trouble sleeping

Prevention:

1.You can't prevent hay fever altogether, but you can learn to cope with it.
2.Follow the treatment recommendations of your health care provider. The medications are very effective but may take several days to reach full effectiveness.
3.Moving to a new part of the country usually doesn't help. People who do this often find themselves with new allergies within a few years.
4.Use air conditioning and limit outside exposure during hay fever season.
5.Allergy shots may help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
6.To keep from bringing your allergy indoors, do what you can to keep your home free of mold and other allergens.

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