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 | What causes allergies?
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|  Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever or allergies, occurs when your body perceives tiny particles in the air as "foreign" and rallies your immune system against them. Particles capable of causing this immune response are called allergens. Allergens include tree and grass pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and itchy and watery eyes. Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, occur only during certain times of the year. They're common in the spring, summer, and fall when airborne pollen is widespread. You have perennial allergic rhinitis when you experience symptoms year round. It's typically caused by indoor allergens, such as animal dander, molds, and dust mites. Your doctor may do skin tests to find out what allergens affect you. The best way to control allergy symptoms is to avoid those allergens. Several medicines are available to prevent and treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis. They include over-the-counter, prescription, and herbal products. Allergy shots may also ease your symptoms. Your doctor injects extracts of the offending allergen into your skin over several weeks or months to desensitize your immune system to the airborne allergens that provoke it. Sources:
The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Diseases and Conditions, "Hay Fever." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 12/20/2006.
This answer prepared 9/7/2000.
This information updated 12/20/2006.
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