Spring is a great time for hiking, but it is also a very painful season for some people, who get plagued with runny noses and sneezing. Medically, this seasonal disease is diagnosed as seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

　　What is seasonal allergic rhinitis?

　　Allergic rhinitis is a chronic, non-infectious inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa of the Th2 type caused by human exposure to allergens and mediated by specific immunoglobulin E.

　　Allergens are harmless to most people. But when you have hay fever, your immune system thinks the allergen is invading. The immune system tries to protect your body by releasing natural chemicals into your bloodstream. The most important chemical is called histamine. It causes the mucous membranes in your nose, eyes, and throat to become inflamed and itchy as they try to flush out the allergen.

　　The most common allergens are pollen, fungi, and other seasonal inhaled allergens. Symptoms of hay fever include: Nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose; Itchy nose, throat, and eyes; Headache, sinus pain, and dark circles under the eyes; Increased mucus in the nose and throat; Fatigue and malaise (general feeling of being unwell). In severe cases, it can also trigger asthma, with symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing.

　　How is seasonal allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

　　Your healthcare provider will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and evaluate you for other conditions, such as the common cold or asthma. Depending on your condition, a physical exam, allergy testing, blood tests, and nasal challenge tests may be recommended to help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis.

　　How is allergic rhinitis treated?

　　1. There is no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes and some allergy medicines can improve symptoms and help you live with allergies. To reduce symptoms, you should go outside less often during peak pollen season. If you do go outside, use protective masks and glasses and nasal pollen blockers.

　　2. Use nasal and oral medications such as glucocorticoids, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, corticosteroid nasal sprays, decongestants, anticholinergics, leukotriene inhibitors, and immunotherapy.

　　3. Other eye discomforts can be treated with various types of eye drops, hand hygiene and avoiding eye rubbing. If asthma is present, respiratory consultation is recommended. If there is a skin rash, a dermatologist should be consulted.