Hay Fever
This condition can range from the amusing novelty of a good hearty sneeze to the absolute misery of constantly itching eyes, roof of the mouth and nose, and a clear nasal discharge.It characteristically occurs in spring and early summer and is due to an allergy to the pollen of grasses, trees and some crops and weeds. Typically it is caused by tree pollen in the spring and by grasses and weeds in the summer. One may be allergic to one or many different pollens, and the degree of the allergy varies too. This will determine the pattern of each child's attacks and the severity of them. If the symptoms persist all year it is probably not hay fever but allergy to some other agent such as house dust mite, or another disease such as nasal polyps or a vasomotor rhinitis. That is sensitivity of the nasal cavity to chemicals like perfume, rather than an allergic problem. The distinction is often difficult to make.
Apart from planning your life around those weather forecasts with their helpful pollen counts and air quality measurements, what can one do? Assuming you do not want to stay in all summer with the doors and windows shut, then some form of medication is going to be necessary. For the vast majority of children the symptoms can be controlled by oral anti-histamines and topical steroid nasal sprays. Occasionally anti inflammatory eye drops will be needed too. These treatments can be used individually or in combination depending on the severity and persistence of symptoms. Initially the oral anti-histamines provide a good level of control, taken every day. The steroid nasal sprays have been shown to be very safe, with little or no absorption of the steroid into the body. They provide a useful second line in addition to the anti-histamines. If the eyes continue to be irritated or if this is the major symptom then there are a number of anti-inflammatory eye drops that can be used, again every day to control symptoms. These measures only dampen down the body's response to the pollen, so sensible avoidance is the best measure. That is, do not set up your picnic under the spreading chestnut tree in spring but try the grassy meadow up wind.
Dr David Garwood
NHS Direct: introduction to Hay Fever
Patient UK - Hay Fever and treatment
Med info: Hay Fever symptoms
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