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Nose Symptoms
Hay Fever

General Information

Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction of the nose and sinuses to an inhaled substance (e.g. pollen, mold, or dust).
Many patients correctly self-diagnose this condition. Confirmation of this diagnosis by a physician is helpful, and becomes essential if symptoms are more than mild.
Many patients with allergic rhinitis also have symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis (watery itchy eyes).

Did you know that there are two types of allergic rhinitis?

Seasonal allergic rhinitis: Hay fever is the non-medical term people use to describe seasonal allergic rhinitis due to pollens. Patients who suffer from hay fever note that their symptoms are worse during certain seasons of the year. Such individuals usually have an allergy to pollen, grasses, or trees. Depending on the specific allergy, the symptoms may be worse in the spring, summer or fall. A few unfortunate individuals may experience allergic symptoms in all three seasons. Hay fever is not specifically an allergy to hay nor do sufferers have a fever.
Perennial allergic rhinitis: Patients with this type of allergic rhinitis may report nasal symptoms all year long. Alternatively they may complain of sporadic symptoms throughout the year, not confined to any particular season. Such individuals often have an allergy to dust mites, mold, mildew, feathers, or animal dander.

CAUTION: There are other illnesses that have nasal symptoms similar to hay fever:

Viral rhinitis: Also known as the common cold. Runny or stuffy nose is the main symptom. The nasal discharge may be clear, cloudy, yellow or green. The patient usually has other symptoms of a cold: fever, muscle aches, sore throat and headache.
Bacterial & viral sinusitis: Yellow or green nasal secretions suggest the possibility of bacterial sinus infection (sinusitis) if they occur in combination with [1] sinus pain OR [2] the return of a fever after it has been gone for over 24 hours OR [3] secretions lasting longer than 10 days without improvement.
Rhinitis medicamentosa: Prolonged continuous use (longer than 5 days) of over-the-counter decongestant nose drops can lead to "rebound" congestion where the nose becomes even stuffier.
Occupational exposure: Airborne irritants in the workplace can cause nasal problems