Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Allergic Rhinitis is caused by inhaling airborne particles you may be allergic to. These are called allergens. Out of the more than 67 million Americans who suffer from allergies, 24-40 million suffer from airborne allergies.

These are caused by:

• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Dust particles
• Mold spores

Plants like ragweed, cattail and maple tree release their pollen to initiate their reproductive processes with nearby plants of their species. Pollens are carried by the wind, so not all of them reach their targets, and instead they land on you. For that reason, too, pollen is frequently present in the air we breathe.

If you are an individual sensitive to pollen, you will experience an allergic reaction.

Taking into account the airborne allergens listed above, there are two forms of allergic rhinitis: Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (also called Hay Fever or Pollinosis) and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis .

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis occurs during specific flowering periods when plants are shedding their pollen. In general, trees flower in the spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall.

Perennial Rhinitis , on the other hand, is characterized for it's year-round allergy symptoms. Most symptoms are due to pet dander, dust, mold in the house, etc.

General symptoms of these types of allergies include:

• sneezing
• clear and watery nasal discharge and congestion
• itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• watery eyes

Source: Pollen.com, 2006