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. Allergic rhinitis is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction, and many different substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever.[1]
Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds.
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.[2]
Hay Fever in the USA
Hay fever affects up to 30% of all Americans, including up to 40% of children and 10%-30% of adults. Over $1 billion is spent each year in this country to treat this disorder, and millions of school and work days each year are lost by sufferers of hay fever symptoms.[1]
Hayfever in UK
Hayfever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a very common condition that affects two in every 10 people in the UK. It is caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or hay pollen, which affects the upper respiratory passages (nose, sinus, throat and eyes).[4]
Treatment
The best treatment for allergies is to avoid what your child is allergic to by following the environmental controls described below.
Although food allergies are not a common trigger for hayfever, if you notice that your child's allergy symptoms always get worse after being exposed to certain foods, then you should avoid those foods. The most common foods that can cause allergies include: milk, eggs (especially egg yolks), peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, seafood, and wheat.[5]
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Notes:
[1] medicinenet.com
[2] emedicinehealth.com
[3] medicinenet.com
[4] nhs.uk
[5] keepkidshealthy.com
