What is hay fever?

Don’t only blame hay. That pesky pollen is the No. 1 cause of this very common allergic reaction.

Don’t let the name fool you. Yes, hay and other grasses can cause the classic symptoms of allergies. But, it’s not the No. 1 cause of hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Nor, does hay fever result in an actual fever.

“Hay fever is when you get upper respiratory symptoms that are triggered by an allergy to something in the air,” explains Dr. Lawrence Zottoli with St. Joseph’s/Candler Primary Care in Pooler. “If you have a fever, it’s not an allergy. Other than typical allergy symptoms – watery eyes, runny nose, sometimes a nasal drip – people with allergies don’t generally feel bad. They don’t have the aches, pains and fever that come with a cold or flu.”

The No. 1 cause of hay fever is pollen. Pollen is the tiny egg-shaped male cells of plants, including trees, grasses and weeds. Pollen is microscopic in size – despite what you may think by looking at your car this time of year.

Related Article: Understanding allergies: Why your body ‘overreacts’ to certain allergens

Each plant has a pollen season. It often starts in the spring, but it may begin as early as January in the South and can last as late as November. We’re all too familiar with that.

Can we do anything to lessen the effects of hay fever during pollen season? You can try:

• Keeping the windows closed at night and use air conditioning. This cleans, cools and dries the air.
• Limiting outdoor activities early in the morning between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when pollen is most common.
• If you spend time outdoors, wash your hair and change your clothes when you come  back inside.
• Keeping car windows closed when traveling.
• Taking a trip to an area where pollen is not as common, such as the beach.
• Don’t rake leaves during pollen season.
• Consider wearing a mask and eye protection when mowing the lawn.
• Don’t hang bedding or clothing outside to dry.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat to keep pollen out of your eyes and hair.

Quiz: How much do you know about seasonal allergies?

If you have constant or severe symptoms, you can talk to your healthcare provider about possible treatment options. It starts with a proper diagnosis.

If it’s determined your symptoms are caused by seasonal allergic rhinitis, they can be managed with medication, in addition to avoiding outdoor triggers as much as possible, Dr. Zottoli says. The medication may be over-the-counter or prescription.

When symptoms are so frequent or severe that it disrupts your daily life, you may be referred to an allergist for testing. However, many patients don’t need that step.

“Once we know what we’re dealing with, we have some simple but effective remedies,” Dr. Zottoli says. “If it is what they used to call hay fever, there’s a good chance you can manage it and still enjoy getting outside once in a while.”