Hay fever or pollinosis, is an acute seasonal allergic reaction
to the air-borne pollens.
Hay fever can occur during the spring as a reaction to the
tree pollens such as oak, elm, maple, alder, birch and cottonwood.
During the summer grass and weed pollens are the culprits.
In the fall (autumn), ragweed pollen is the main cause. Airborne
fungal spores also have been known to cause hay fever. The
role of these substances are as allergens and they cause allergic
reaction in susceptible people.
In response the body's immune system produces allergic antibodies
that release the chemical histamine, this chemical is responsible
for producing the symptoms of hay fever.
Symptoms and signs:
At first, the athlete's eyes, throat, mouth and nose begin
to itch, followed by the watering of the eyes, sneezing, and
a clear, water-like, nasal discharge.
The athlete may even complain of sinus-type headaches, emotional
irritability, insomnia (difficulty with sleeping), red and
swollen eyes and nasal mucous membranes, as well as a wheezing
cough.
It should be noted that other common adverse allergic reactions,
during these periods of the year, are asthma, anaphylaxis,
urticaria, angioedema and rhinitis.
Control and treatment:
Oral antihistamines is the most common
used for obtaining relief. In order to avoid the problem of
sedation caused from taking these drugs, the athlete may take
a decongestant during the day and a long-acting antihistamine
before going to sleep at night
sinusitis