The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction that can occur because of various allergens that aren’t limited to pollen. That makes allergy testing critical if you think you might have hay fever.
The term “Hay Fever” was first used by physician John Bostock in a paper he wrote and read to the Medical and Chirurgical Society on the 16th of March, 1819.
Journal of The Royal Society of Medicine
What Causes Hay Fever in North Carolina?
Early physicians believed the smell of hay caused summer allergies, but summer allergens in the spirit of hay fever include tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen.
In September, weed pollen becomes particularly aggressive, predominantly due to ragweed.
The Lifecycle of Ragweed
Germination: Occurs in early spring
Growth: Rapid growth over the summer
Flowering: Late summer and early fall, with peak pollen release occurring in late August and September
Ragweed Allergy Symptoms
Ragweed allergy symptoms compare to other pollen-related allergens.
Symptoms typically include congestion, sneezing, nasal drip, itchy eyes and skin, a sore throat, headaches and fatigue.
Get Tested for Hay Fever
Allergy testing panels are one of the easiest ways to determine what allergens your immune system is having an allergic response to.
Skin tests are more reliable than blood tests and involve placing a small amount of allergen extract onto your skin. The level of redness and swelling determines the severity of your allergies.
These tests cover more than just ragweed pollen, though. Tests can include a variety of tree pollens, including major offenders like oak, birch and pine and grass pollens, including rye, bermuda and bahia.
Why Schedule an Allergy Test?
Over-the-counter allergy treatments treat symptoms. They aren’t allergen-specific and cannot provide the kind of long-term benefits that immunotherapy does.
Although immunotherapy isn’t an option for every allergen, the only way to know your full suite of treatment options is to determine precisely what substance you are allergic to.
If you’re interested in the possibility of a long-term treatment that may or may not include OTC treatment options, schedule a visit with a Blue Ridge ENT specialist today.