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Seasonal Allergies: Overview
Seasonal allergies are very common. In the United States, an estimated 40 million people are affected by seasonal allergies. Most people experience seasonal allergies during the spring and fall, but they can occur at any time.
Seasonal allergies are often called hay fever. But the word "hay fever" is a misnomer. It's not caused by hay, nor does it cause a fever. People coined the term "hay fever" after suffering from nasal congestion, sneezing and eye irritation while harvesting field hay. The medical term for hay fever is "allergic rhinitis", which means "irritation of the nose."
Seasonal Allergies: Symptoms
The symptoms of seasonal allergies are similar to the common cold, so it's sometimes difficult to tell them apart. The most common symptom of seasonal allergies is itchy eyes, which don't usually occur during a cold. Also, colds normally won't last longer than seven days, while seasonal allergies can last weeks or even months.
Other symptoms of seasonal allergies may include:
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Red. watery or tearing eyes |
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Sneezing |
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Nasal itching |
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Cough |
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Fatigue |
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Runny or stuffy nose |
Seasonal Allergies: Treatment
Because there is no cure for seasonal allergies, the only option is to treat the symptoms. This can be done using over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications, including antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory agents.
Itchy Eyes: Treatment
Itchy eyes are the most common symptom of seasonal allergies. They can be treated quickly and effectively with Zaditor antihistamine eye drops—the first non-prescription eye drop strong enough to last up to 12 hours with just one drop.
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