Hay fever, which is also referred to as allergic rhinitis, is a condition caused by an allergy to certain types of allergens within the air, such as dust, pollen or pet dander. An estimated 60 million people in the United States are affected by hay fever, report health officials at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Hay fever signs and symptoms develop most frequently during spring or fall but can occur at any time throughout the year.
Nasal Irritation and Congestion
Your nasal passageways can become irritated or inflamed when exposed to an airborne allergen. If this occurs, you may notice that your nose become red or itchy. Irritation within your nose can cause your immune system to produce mucus within your nasal passageways, making it harder for the airborne allergen to reach your lungs. Excess nasal mucus production can cause you to develop a runny or stuffy nose, which can make it difficult for you to breathe through your nose. You can also experience frequent episodes of sneezing and may need to blow your nose to remove excess mucus from your nasal passageways.
Oral Itching
If you have hay fever, airborne allergens can irritate the tissue that lines your mouth and throat, warn health officials at the Better Health Channel, an informational health website provided by the Australian government. This irritation can cause you to develop sensations of itching along the roof of your mouth or within your throat. Oral itching due to hay fever can be uncomfortable and may also temporarily interfere with you sense of taste.
Cough
When an airborne allergen enters your airway passages, it can inflame the delicate tissue that lines your respiratory tract. Irritation within your throat due to hay fever can cause you to experience symptoms of coughing, warns Medline Plus, an online medical encyclopedia provided as a service of the National Library of Medicine. Persistent coughing can lead to additional hay fever symptoms, including a sore throat or mild chest pain.
Eye Irritation
If an airborne allergen comes in contact with your eyes, you can experience eye irritation as a symptom of hay fever. You can notice that your eyes become watery and appear red or bloodshot. You can also develop dark, swollen circles underneath your eyes due to allergen exposure, a symptom The Mayo Clinic refers to as allergic shiners.
Headache
Nasal congestion due to hay fever can contribute to the build up of pressure within your sinus passageways. If this occurs, you can experience facial pain or headaches as symptoms of hay fever. Headache symptoms can be mild to severe and typically develop in the front region of your head.
