About Hayfever
What is hayfever?
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to allergens or 'triggers' breathed in through the nose. Many people refer to hayfever as 'allergy' or 'sinus'.
The scientific name for hayfever is 'allergic rhinitis'.
For information on treating and preventing hayfever click here.
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What are the symptoms of hayfever?
The main symptoms of hayfever are:
- Blocked nose
- Watery, runny nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal itching
Watery eyes
Hayfever can also cause:
- Tiredness and irritability (due to loss of sleep)
- Headaches
- Impaired smell
- Swollen and/or itchy eyes (conjunctivitis).
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What causes hayfever?
Common allergens that can trigger hayfever include pollen (usually from non-flowering plants such as grass), dust mites, pet hair or dander (fine skin particles), and mould spores.1
When one of these triggers is breathed in, there is an immune response in the lining of the nose.
The immune system is the body's defence system. The immune response is like a chain reaction where certain substances are released to defend the body from attack. As a result, the nasal passages become swollen (inflamed) which causes the symptoms of hayfever.
Hayfever is triggered when allergens are inhaled, causing the lining of the nose to become inflamed. The symptoms of hayfever are caused by this inflammation.
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