What Everyone Should Know About Hay Fever

Both children and adults are highly vulnerable to the misery of life-long allergies, whereas eight percent of each age group could actually be battling hay fever. Board-certified allergists employ advanced treatment options to ensure that you live healthier. If you need specialized treatment for hay fever in Gilbert, AZ, and Scottsdale, AZ, don’t hesitate to contact Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD.

Causes of Hay Fever

Hay fever/ allergic rhinitis develops as an immune reaction determining a harmless substance posing a threat to your health. The immune system synthesizes constituents identifying the substance in question such that you get an allergic reaction whenever you breathe it in.

Types of Hay Fever

You can develop perennial hay fever or seasonal hay fever;

Perennial hay fever

Perennial hay fever develops if you are allergic to pet dander, dust mites, or roaches. In this case, you may have hay fever all year. Warm climates also improve your risk of perennial hay fever.

Seasonal hay fever

Seasonal hay fever manifests among those allergic to grasses, trees, and weeds, releasing pollen in some seasons. You should also avoid the outdoor molds that could trigger seasonal hay fever.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

By affecting your nose and eyes, you may experience symptoms like:

  • Swelling around the eyes
  • Red, watery eyes
  • Itchy nose and eyes
  • Congested nose
  • Runny nose
  • Sneezing
  • The trouble with post nasal drip

Diagnosis of Hay Fever

Your allergist considers your medical history and symptoms to determine if you are battling hay fever. You may need allergy testing like the skin prick test to discover allergens responsible for your symptoms.

In a skin prick test, your specialist places small amounts of different allergens on the skin and makes tiny punctures in the skin. An allergic reaction to the allergen is accompanied by symptoms like a slight red skin reaction within fifteen to twenty minutes.

Treatment for Hay Fever

The first part of your treatment entails the identification of specific allergens to find the most effective approach. Your allergist may recommend removing the allergens from your environment and over-the-counter medication for optimal symptom relief.

For severe allergies, your specialist may recommend allergy shots or rush immunotherapy.

Allergy shots

The shot contains a small amount of the allergen in question. Your allergist considers your symptoms and allergens to determine an effective schedule for your injections. The dose increases gradually to ensure that you get highly effective results.

Your immune system is slowly desensitized to the allergen to deliver long-term relief from the unpleasant symptoms. Upon completing, your symptoms shall have disappeared.

Rush immunotherapy

Rush immunotherapy is highly recommended for its ability to deliver fast results after receiving multiple shots during the day. Your allergist considers your symptoms and type of allergy to determine the most effective frequency for your injections.

Wrap Up

If you need treatment for hay fever and other types of allergies, contact your nearest allergist. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, LTD offers fully personalized treatment to deliver highly effective results for each case.