What Is Allergic Rhinitis, or Hay Fever?

Have you been told you have allergic rhinitis? It is more commonly known as hay fever and it is a fairly common type of allergy. Many people do not know they have it and go throughout most of their life without really understanding their symptoms. Nevertheless, it could be impacting your health and there are treatments that can help to minimize what you feel.

What Is Allergic Rhinitis?

Often times, people who have hay fever will suffer from cold-like symptoms. This may include congestion, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and a runny nose. You may also feel a good deal of sinus pressure. What makes this different, though, is that, unlike a cold, it is not brought on by a virus. Rather, it is caused by a substance that you are allergic to. These substances can be indoor or outdoor allergens. They can be caused by a variety of substances or just one.
The most common symptoms of hay fever include:

  • Itchy and watery eyes
  • Itchy nose or the roof of the mouth
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Fatigue
  • Swollen or even blue tinted skin under the eyes
  • Postnasal drip
  • Coughing

In some cases, hay fever is seasonal. This is most common brought on by your exposure to elements in the outdoors. If you feel these symptoms but only at some times of the year or during symptom activities, you may have seasonal allergies. This is often brought on by:

  • Tree pollen, often causing symptoms during the spring months
  • Dust mites, cockroaches, and pet dander tend to be year round, but only when there is exposure
  • Grass pollen, which tends to be worse in the late spring and throughout summer
  • Ragweed pollen, which is highest in the fall
  • Spore-related causes, such as fungus or mold-related exposure, which can happen whenever you are exposed

If you feel that you may be suffering from any of these conditions, now is the time to take action. You can get help for treating the symptoms of the condition and you may find that there are steps you can take to feel better even when you are faced with them. The first thing to do is to schedule an appointment with the best allergist in New York City and to start learning what your options are, what your causes are, and what treatment options fit your needs and your health.

Call us at 212-319-5282 to schedule a consultation.

Leave a reply

Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025