Most of us appreciate springtime for its warmer temperatures and beautiful flowers. For many South Africans, however, spring spells hay fever season and a time of exasperating runny noses, red eyes and an itchy throat.
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Worldwide, hay fever is estimated to affect between 10% and 30% of the population. Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic reaction to irritants in the air. While some people suffer from the condition all year-round, many experience seasonal rhinitis, meaning that it occurs during specific seasons, says Dr Phillip Coetzee, a paediatrician who practices at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital in Cape Town.
“Hay fever — which results in the inflammation of the nasal passages and a varietyof annoying symptoms, such as the characteristic stuffy or runny nose — is a very common condition affecting approximately one in five adults and one in three children. The condition can commence at any age, even from as young as one month,” says Dr Coetzee.
“While hay fever does not pose a serious threat to a person’s health, in more serious cases it can be debilitating and negatively impact their quality of life — particularly in children, who often have more severe symptoms — affecting work and school performance,” he adds.
“We therefore recommend that more serious cases are not left untreated and should be managed in consultation with a family doctor, ENT specialist, or paediatrician.”
What causes hay fever?
Dr Coetzee explains that hay fever is an allergic reaction in individuals, who react to certain airborne ‘triggers’ or allergens. The risk of developing hay fever is much higher in people with asthma or eczema, and in those with a family history of allergy.
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Seasonal hay fever is usually caused by pollens from trees, grasses, and weeds. As pollen counts from plants are much higher in spring and summer, many more South Africans tend to seek medical assistance for hay fever at this time of the year.
Those people who suffer all year-round, or perennial hay fever, on the other hand, tend to have triggers such as cockroaches, or dust mites, which are tiny creatures that may live in mattresses, pillows, soft toys, carpets and curtains. Other common allergens include animal dander, which are tiny flecks of skin shed by animals such as cats, dogs, birds and other animals; and fungal spores or moulds, which may grow in, for example, a damp bathroom cupboard.
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What does hay fever look like?
Dr Coetzee says with perennial hay fever the predominant symptoms include postnasal drip, persistent nasal congestion and trouble sleeping.
The common signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis include the following:
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Nose
Watery nasal discharge, blocked nasal passages, sneezing, nasal itching, and postnasal drip with cough, loss of taste, facial pressure, or pain.
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Eyes
Itchy red eyes, swelling, and dark circles under the eyes, which are sometimes called “allergic shiners”.
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Throat and ears
Sore throat, hoarse voice, congestion or popping of the ears, itching of the throat or ears.
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Sleep
Breathing through mouth, frequent awakening, daytime fatigue, night time or early morning coughing. Children will often snore and can especially struggle with attention and concentration.
How to manage hay fever
“In the first place, one can work to avoid one’s specific allergic triggers. Fortunately The Allergy and Immunology Research Unit is now providing accurate national pollen and mould monitoring within various South African cities. This can enable one to take the necessary proactive precautions, such as limiting outdoor activities at times of high pollen count and using medications.”
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Your doctor may suggest allergy testing if your symptoms are not well controlled with medications, or if it is not clear what is causing your symptoms. This may include a skin prick or blood test.
Dr Coetzee says the following treatments are available to assist in the management of hay fever:
- Steroid (cortisone) nasal sprays are the first-line of treatment. They have few side effects and dramatically relieve symptoms in most people. If your nose is crusted or contains mucus, you can first clean it with saline (salt water) nasal irrigation before using the steroid nasal spray.
- Antihistamines relieve the itching, sneezing, and runny nose, but they do not relieve nasal congestion. Keep in mind that older generation sedating antihistamines are best avoided before driving and should not be used in children.
- Antihistamine eye drops can relieve itching or irritation of the eyes.
- Decongestants in oral or nasal spray form should not be used for more than a few days at a time, because of the risk of rebound nasal congestion, and are discouraged in the treatment of hay fever.
- Leukotriene modifiers are drugs that block the actions of leukotrienes, or molecules that cause inflammation, and can be very useful in people with both asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Dr Phillip Coetzee is a paediatrician with a special interest in child neurodevelopment, allergies, nutrition and critical paediatric care.
