Just about everyone knows what hay fever is - the
seasonal itching, sneezing, and runny nose caused by the type of pollen that
happens to be in the air at the time. But what most people don’t know is that
hay fever is just one manifestation of a more basic condition called allergic
rhinitis. Whenever a stuffy nose, dark circles under the eyes, or post-nasal
drip persists as a chronic condition, allergic rhinitis could be the cause.
In fact, this condition affects approximately 10% of
the U.S. population (roughly 30 million people) and is the most common allergic
disorder in the country. No one knows why some people suffer from allergies and
others do not. Some evidence suggests that allergies could be a hereditary
trait. Other evidence links allergic rhinitis to asthma and eczema. People who
suffer from these diseases are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis, too.
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction
of the upper respiratory system to a substance called an allergen, which is
anything that causes an allergy. These reactions will occur either seasonally or
perennially.
Seasonal rhinitis comes and goes with the reproductive
cycles of plants and fungi. At certain times of the year specific to their
species and geographic region, plants release pollen into the air, and fungi
release spores. Those people who are allergic to one or more kinds of these
allergens will develop allergic rhinitis.
Trees tend to be the cause of symptoms in the spring.
Grasses tend to be the culprits in the summer, and ragweed and other weeds tend
to be the problem in the fall. Fungi are suspect over a much longer period
because they release their spores from late March until November.
Weather influences the severity of allergy symptoms
because it affects the daily pollen count. Pollen counts tend to be at their
highest on warm, dry, and breezy mornings and at their lowest on rainy, cool
days. Generally, the severity of your allergic reaction will correspond to the
rise and fall of the pollen count.
As the name suggests, perennial rhinitis occurs all
year round. Its cause is allergens whose production is not tied to any seasonal
cycle. Common examples are dust mites, animal dander, and molds. These allergens
can aggregate in pillows, down-filled clothing and bedding, draperies,
upholstery, thick carpeting, and shower curtains. Symptoms will be steady if you
come into contact with the allergen daily, but they can come and go if your
contact with it is only intermittent. It also is possible for a sustained
reaction to a perennial allergen to mask a seasonal allergy.