Hay Fever Overview

What Is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is by far the most prevalent type of allergy in the United States, affecting more than 60 million Americans. It affects people of all ages: as many as 40 percent of children and 30 percent of adults suffer from hay fever. There are two main types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as “hay fever,” and perennial allergic rhinitis, which causes symptoms all year round (with some seasonal spikes). Hay fever is caused by outdoor allergens like pollens, grasses, weeds, and mold spores. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by indoor allergens such as animal dander, indoor mold, dust mites, and cockroaches.

Both versions of allergic rhinitis look a lot like a cold: coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and congestion are common symptoms. However, unlike a cold, allergic rhinitis isn’t caused by a virus. Rather, it’s a type of allergic reaction.

Understanding Allergies and the Immune System

Understanding allergic rhinitis requires a knowledge of the immune system, and especially of the most common immune system failures: allergies.

Allergic reactions happen when your immune system responds in an exaggerated manner to a substance that, for most people, isn’t usually dangerous. The job of your immune system is to defend the body against harmful external elements. It does this by producing cells known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies normally protect us from bacteria and viruses—which can cause infections and other illnesses—by travelling to these cells and releasing chemicals that get rid of them.

For those with hay fever or perennial allergic rhinitis, however, the immune system gets overly sensitized to certain common substances, like pollen or pet dander, thinking they are harmful even though they really are not. This sensitization triggers an inflammatory response sparked by the release of IgE antibodies and other cell types, setting off a chain reaction that causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Treating Allergies

Treating hay fever has become somewhat more effective with powerful drugs introduced over the past several years. The best strategy is prevention—staying away from known allergens in order to keep irritation and even more significant symptoms from developing in the first place. Preventing symptoms by eliminating exposure to allergens is the gold standard for allergy control.

Learn more about preventing hay fever symptoms.