Sneezing is not always the symptom of a cold. Sometimes, it is an allergic reaction to something in the air. Pollen allergy, commonly called hay fever, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the
Common allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy nose, eyes and roof of mouth
- Sneezing
- Stuffy nose
- Pressure in the nose and cheeks
- Ear fullness and popping
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Hives
In people who are not allergic, the mucus in the nasal passages simply moves foreign particles to the throat, where they are swallowed or coughed out. But something different happens in a person who is sensitive to airborne allergens. In sensitive people, as soon as the allergen lands on the lining inside the nose, a chain reaction occurs that causes certain cells called “mast cells” in these tissues to release histamine and other chemicals, such as cytokines and leukotrienes. These powerful chemicals contact certain cells that line some of the small blood vessels in the nose. This allows fluids to escape from the vessels, which causes the nasal passages to swell-resulting in nasal congestion. Histamine also can cause sneezing, itching, irritation, and excess mucus production, which make up the reaction called allergic rhinitis.
If you cannot adequately avoid airborne allergens, your symptoms often can be controlled by medicines. You can buy medicines without a prescription that can relieve allergy symptoms. If, however, they don’t give you relief, or they cause unwanted side effects such as sleepiness, your healthcare provider can prescribe other medications including various types of topical nasal sprays that reduce or block the reaction that results in those irritating symptoms.
If you have questions or concerns about allergies and how to control or treat them, check with your personal healthcare provider or with HPMC OMS at (509) 376-3333
