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Hay Fever - Nasal Allergies
HEALTH INSIGHTS

Hay Fever - Nasal Allergies

By David A. Thompson, M.D. 
 | 
March 22, 2017

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Hay Fever - Nasal Allergies

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Does this describe your symptoms?

Definition

  • Nasal allergies, allergic rhinitis or hay fever

  • Clear nasal discharge with sneezing, sniffing, and nasal itching

  • Eye allergies (itchy, red and watery) are commonly associated

  • No fever

  • This is also called seasonal allergic rhinitis

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 and 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.

If not, see these topics

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When to Call Your Doctor

call now

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

  • You feel weak or very sick

call within 24 hours

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If

  • You think you need to be seen

  • Lots of coughing

  • Lots of yellow or green discharge from nose present more than 3 days

call within 24 hours

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

  • You have other questions or concerns

  • Your "Hay Fever" has never been diagnosed by a physician

  • Moderate-severe nasal allergy symptoms (i.e., symptoms interfere with sleep, school, or work) and you have been taking antihistamine medications for more than 2 days

  • Nasal discharge lasting more than 10 days

  • Nasal allergies occur year-round

  • Snoring most nights of the month

home care

Self Care at Home If

  • Your nasal allergies occur only certain times of year, and you have been diagnosed by your physician, and you don't think you need to be seen

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HOME CARE ADVICE

General Care Advice for Hay Fever

  1. Wash off Pollen Daily: Remove pollen from the body with hair washing and a shower, especially before bedtime.

  2. Avoiding Pollen:

    • Stay indoors on windy days

    • Keep windows closed in home, at least in bedroom; use air conditioner

    • Use a high efficiency house air filter (HEPA or electrostatic)

    • Keep windows closed in car, turn AC on recirculate

    • Avoid playing with outdoor dog

  3. For a Stuffy Nose - Use Nasal Washes:  

    • Introduction: Saline (salt water) nasal irrigation is an effective and simple home remedy for treating cold symptoms and other conditions involving the nasal and sinus passages. Nasal irrigation consists of pouring, spraying, or squirting salt water into the nose and then letting it run back out.

    • How it Helps: The salt water rinses out excess mucus, washes out any irritants (dust, allergens) that might be present, and moisturizes the nasal cavity.

    • Methods: There are several ways to perform nasal irrigation. You can use a saline nasal spray bottle (available over-the-counter), a rubber ear syringe, a medical syringe without the needle, or a Neti Pot.

    Step-By-Step Instructions: 

    • Step 1: Lean over a sink.

    • Step 2: Gently squirt or spray warm salt water into one of your nostrils.

    • Step 3: Some of the water may run into the back of your throat. Spit this out. If you swallow the salt water it will not hurt you.

    • Step 4: Blow your nose to clean out the water and mucus.

    • Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for the other nostril. You can do this a couple times a day if it seems to help you.

    How to Make Saline (Salt Water) Nasal Wash: Add 1/2 tsp of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz; 240 ml) of warm water.

  4. Antihistamine Medications for Hayfever:

    • Antihistamines help reduce sneezing, itching and runny nose.

    • You may need to take antihistamines continuously during pollen season (Reason: continuously is the key to control).

    • Loratadine is a newer (second generation) antihistamine. The dosage of loratadine (e.g., OTC Claritin, Alavert) is 10 mg once a day.

    • Cetirizine is a newer (second generation) antihistamine. The dosage of cetirizine (e.g., OTC Zyrtec) is 10 mg once a day.

    • CAUTION: Antihistamines may cause sleepiness. Do not drink, drive or operate dangerous machinery while taking antihistamines.

    • Loratadine and cetirizine cause less sleepiness than diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or Chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton, Chlor-tripolon).

    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you take.

  5. Nasal Decongestant Nose Drops for Stuffy Nose:

    • Antihistamines do not help nasal congestion (stuffiness), but decongestant nose drops do. Decongestants shrink the swollen nasal mucosa and allow for easier breathing.

    • Phenylephrine nose drops (e.g., Neo-Synephrine) are available over-the-counter. Clean out the nose before using. Spray each nostril once, wait one minute for absorption, and then spray a second time.

    • CAUTION: Do not take this medication if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or prostate enlargement. Do not take these medications if you are pregnant. Do not take these medications if you have used a MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the past 2 weeks. Life-threatening side effects can occur.

    • Do not use these medications for more than 3 days (Reason: rebound nasal congestion).

    • Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you use.

  6. For Eye Allergies: For eye symptoms, wash pollen off the face and eyelids. Then apply cold wet compresses. Oral antihistamines will usually bring all eye symptoms under control.

  7. Call Your Doctor If:

    • Symptoms are not controlled in 2 days with continuous antihistamines

    • You become worse

Neti Pot for Sinus Symptoms

  1. Neti Pot

    • The Neti Pot is a small ceramic or plastic pot with a narrow spout. It looks like a small tea pot. Two manufacturers of the Neti Pot are the Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania and SinuCleanse in Wisconsin.

    • How it Helps: The neti pot performs nasal washing (also called nasal irrigation or "jala neti"). The salt water rinses out excess mucus, washes out any irritants (dust, allergens) that might be present, and moisturizes the nasal cavity.

    • Indications: The neti pot is widely used as a home remedy to relieve conditions such as colds, sinus infections, and hay fever (nasal allergies).

    • Adverse reactions: None. Though, not everyone likes the sensation of pouring water into their nose.

    • YouTube Instructional Video: There are instructional videos on how to use a neti pot both on manufacturers websites and also on YouTube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8sDIbRAXlg

  2. Neti Pot STEP-BY-STEP Instructions:

    • Step 1: Follow the directions on the salt package to make warm salt walter.

    • Step 2: Lean forward and turn your head to one side over the sink. Keep your forehead slightly higher than your chin.

    • Step 3: Gently insert the spout of the neti pot into the higher nostril. Put it far enough so that it forms a comfortable seal.

    • Step 4: Raise the Neti Pot gradually so the salt water flows in through your higher nostril and out of the lower nostril. Breathe through your mouth.

    • Step 5: When the Neti Pot is empty, blow your nose to clean out the water and mucus.

    • Step 6: Some of the water may run into the back of your throat. Spit this out. If you swallow the salt water it will not hurt you.

    • Step 7: Refill the Neti Pot and repeat on the other side. Again, exhale vigorously to clear the nasal passages.

    How to Make Saline (Salt Water) Nasal Wash:

    • You can make your own saline nasal wash.

    • Add 1/2 tsp of table salt to 1 cup (8 oz; 240 ml) of warm water.

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Updated:  

March 22, 2017