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Hay Fever
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are:
- Prolonged, sometimes violent sneezing.
- Itchy, painful nose, throat, and roof of mouth.
- Stuffy, runny nose.
- Postnasal drip, resulting in coughing.
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Head and nasal congestion
- Ear pressure or fullness
- Fatigue
These symptoms are often seasonal.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Your condition becomes so severe that it interferes with your life and you're unable to control it with over-the-counter medications. Steroids, usually a nasal spray, can also be used but are only available by prescription.
- A secondary infection often develops in congested sinus cavities; signs are fever, facial pain, a yellow or green discharge, postnasal drip, halitosis, and sinus or tooth pain or tenderness.
Medically updated by Paul Enright, MD, July 2005
SOURCES: Golightly L.; Greos L.;. Second-generation antihistamines: actions and efficacy in the smanagement of allergic disorders. Drugs. 2005; vol. 65(3); pp 341-384. Taramarcaz P.; Gibson P.; "The effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroids in combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome," Clinical and Experimental Allergy, December, 2004; vol. 34(12); pp 1883-1889. laiss M., "Current concepts and therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis in school-age children," Clinical Therapy, November 2004; vol.26(11); pp 1876-1889. Berger W.; "Allergic rhinitis in children: diagnosis and management strategies." Paediatr Drugs. 2004; vol. 6(4); pp 233-50. Huggins, J.; Looney, R., Allergen immunotherapy. American Family Physician; August 15, 2004; vol. 70(4); pp 689-96. Bousquet J.; Bindslev-Jensen C.; Canonica G.; Fokkens W.; Kim H.; Kowalski M.; Magnan A.; Mullol J.; van Cauwenberge P.; "The ARIA/EAACI criteria for antihistamines: an assessment of the efficacy, safety and pharmacology of desloratadine. Allergy," 2004;59 Suppl 77:4-16. Incaudo, G.; "Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis during pregnancy and lactation." Clinical Review of Allergy Immunology, October 2004; vol.27(2); pp159-77. Wilsom, A.; O'Byrne, P.; Parameswaran, K.; "Leukotriene receptor antagonists for allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis." American Journal of Medicine, March 1, 2004; vol. 116(5); pp 338-44.
© 2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
SOURCES: Golightly L.; Greos L.;. Second-generation antihistamines: actions and efficacy in the smanagement of allergic disorders. Drugs. 2005; vol. 65(3); pp 341-384. Taramarcaz P.; Gibson P.; "The effectiveness of intranasal corticosteroids in combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome," Clinical and Experimental Allergy, December, 2004; vol. 34(12); pp 1883-1889. laiss M., "Current concepts and therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis in school-age children," Clinical Therapy, November 2004; vol.26(11); pp 1876-1889. Berger W.; "Allergic rhinitis in children: diagnosis and management strategies." Paediatr Drugs. 2004; vol. 6(4); pp 233-50. Huggins, J.; Looney, R., Allergen immunotherapy. American Family Physician; August 15, 2004; vol. 70(4); pp 689-96. Bousquet J.; Bindslev-Jensen C.; Canonica G.; Fokkens W.; Kim H.; Kowalski M.; Magnan A.; Mullol J.; van Cauwenberge P.; "The ARIA/EAACI criteria for antihistamines: an assessment of the efficacy, safety and pharmacology of desloratadine. Allergy," 2004;59 Suppl 77:4-16. Incaudo, G.; "Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis during pregnancy and lactation." Clinical Review of Allergy Immunology, October 2004; vol.27(2); pp159-77. Wilsom, A.; O'Byrne, P.; Parameswaran, K.; "Leukotriene receptor antagonists for allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis." American Journal of Medicine, March 1, 2004; vol. 116(5); pp 338-44.
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