When we expect of spring, we expect of warming weather, birdsong, and flowers. But for many individuals, it also means the symptoms of seasonal hay fever return.
Around 24% of Australians hay fever, essentially the most common symptoms of that are sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy or watery eyes. IN severe casesthis will affect sleep and concentration or be related to an increased frequency of sinus infections.
The exact time your symptoms appear depends upon your exposure to the allergen – the thing you might be allergic to. People affected by tree pollen (corresponding to plane trees or cypress pine) may experience symptoms at different times of the yr than those affected by grass pollen (corresponding to ryegrass). This may also vary across the country.
For example, in Perth, tree (cypress pine) pollen typically occurs from August to October, while grass pollen concentrations are likely to be highest from October to November. In other cities and regions, the pollen season could also be longer and last even into summer.
Remind me how hay fever affects the body?
What we commonly call hay fever is named allergic rhinitis. Exposure to a selected allergen (or allergens) triggers an immune response within the body. This results in inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining the nasal passages within the nose.
Range allergens may cause such a response: pollen (from trees, grass or weeds), dust mites, pet dander, dander, mold and a few air pollutants.
People with allergies that only occur a part of the yr, corresponding to pollen, experience what’s called seasonal hay fever, while individuals with allergies that may occur at any time, corresponding to dust mites and pet dander, experience year-round hay fever.
Obtaining a diagnosis
Many individuals with hay fever manage their symptoms on their very own by limiting exposure to allergens and using over-the-counter antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays.
However, this will require help out of your GP and confirmation that you simply suffer from hay fever. Your GP can assess your symptoms and medical history, make a diagnosis and aid you treat and manage your symptoms.
Your GP also can aid you discover potential allergens based on when symptoms occur and the environments you might be exposed to.
If symptoms persist, your GP may recommend allergy testing. They may refer you to a specialist called an immunologist to find out what specific allergen is causing your symptoms skin prick tests or blood tests. Tests typically involve controlled exposure to small amounts of suspected allergens.
However, please keep in mind that there are numerous tests available on the Internet which are unconfirmed and never really useful by reputable institutions.
How else can I check what I’m allergic to?
For people affected by seasonal hay fever, there are resources available to assist manage exposure based on the flowering seasons of common allergy-related species or through pollen forecast services.
The Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy provides useful pollen guide for every species and once they are more than likely to cause symptoms, by state and territory.
Pollen monitoring and forecasting services – corresponding to Perth Pollen, Melbourne Pollen AND Sydney Pollenand likewise for other cities – it may possibly aid you plan outdoor activities.
These services also include phone apps that may notify you of high pollen counts. You can download these apps (corresponding to Air RaterPerth Pollen, Melbourne Pollen and Sydney Pollen) from your chosen app store.
Apps like Air Rater additionally they can help you enter symptom information, which might then be matched to environmental conditions on the time (pollen count, temperature, smoke, etc.).
Using statistical modeling, the app can establish a relationship between symptoms and exposure. If a high enough correlation is detected, the appliance can send notifications when: risk of exposure he’s tall. This may prompt you to limit your outdoor activities and take medication.