I have hay fever. How do I recognize what I am allergic to?

When we think of spring, we think of warming weather, birdsong, and flowers. But for many people, it also means the symptoms of seasonal hay fever return.

Around 24% of Australians hay fever, the most common symptoms of which are sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy or watery eyes. IN severe casesthis may affect sleep and concentration or be associated with an increased frequency of sinus infections.

The exact time your symptoms appear depends on your exposure to the allergen – the thing you are allergic to. People affected by tree pollen (such as plane trees or cypress pine) may experience symptoms at different times of the year than those affected by grass pollen (such as ryegrass). This will also vary across the country.

For example, in Perth, tree (cypress pine) pollen typically occurs from August to October, while grass pollen concentrations tend to be highest from October to November. In other cities and regions, the pollen season may be longer and last even into summer.

Remind me how hay fever affects the body?

What we commonly call hay fever is called allergic rhinitis. Exposure to a specific allergen (or allergens) triggers an immune response in the body. This leads to inflammation and swelling of the tissue lining the nasal passages in the nose.

Range allergens can cause such a reaction: pollen (from trees, grass or weeds), dust mites, pet dander, dander, mold and some air pollutants.

People with allergies that only occur part of the year, such as pollen, experience what’s called seasonal hay fever, while people with allergies that can occur at any time, such as dust mites and pet dander, experience year-round hay fever.

Obtaining a diagnosis

Many people with hay fever manage their symptoms on their own by limiting exposure to allergens and using over-the-counter antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays.

However, this may require support from your GP and confirmation that you suffer from hay fever. Your GP can assess your symptoms and medical history, make a diagnosis and support you treat and manage your symptoms.

Your GP can also support you identify potential allergens based on when symptoms occur and the environments you are exposed to.

If symptoms persist, your GP may recommend allergy testing. They may refer you to a specialist called an immunologist to determine what specific allergen is causing your symptoms skin prick tests or blood tests. Tests typically involve controlled exposure to petite amounts of suspected allergens.

However, please remember that there are many tests available on the Internet that are unconfirmed and not recommended by reputable institutions.

How else can I check what I’m allergic to?

For people suffering from seasonal hay fever, there are resources available to support 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 each species and when they are most likely to cause symptoms, by state and territory.

Pollen monitoring and forecasting services – such as Perth Pollen, Melbourne Pollen AND Sydney Pollenand also for other cities – it can support you plan outdoor activities.

These services also come with phone apps that can notify you of high pollen counts. You can download these apps (such as Air RaterPerth Pollen, Melbourne Pollen and Sydney Pollen) from your preferred app store.

Apps like Air Rater they also allow you to enter symptom information, which can then be matched to environmental conditions at the time (pollen count, temperature, smoke, etc.).

Using statistical modeling, the app can establish a relationship between symptoms and exposure. If a sufficiently high correlation is detected, the application can send notifications when: risk of exposure he is lofty. This may prompt you to limit your outdoor activities and take medication.

More information about the treatment of allergic rhinitis can be found at healthdirect AND Allergy and anaphylaxis in Australia