Caution: This information should not substitute for seeking responsible, professional medical care.

Sources of allergen triggers

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is triggered by pollen and mold spores. Sources include:

• Tree pollens in spring (Alder, Ash, Beech, Birch, Box, Elder, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Mulberry, and Oaks)
• Grass pollens in late spring and summer (Bermuda Grass, Kentucky Blue Grass, Johnson Grass, Bahia, Orchard, Meadow Fescue, Rye Grass, Redtop, Timothy, and Sweet Vernal)
• Air transmitted flower and weed pollens (Ragweed, Dock, Golden Rod, Plantains, Sheep Sorrel, Thistle, Sagebrush and Nettles)
• Spores from plants (ferns, fungi)
• Fungus, mould growing on dead leaves, common in summer and fall. Cutting grass, raking leaves, working in hay and mulch piles, walking amongst ferns and kicking mushrooms will increase your exposure to outdoor moulds and their spores.
  
  Pollen is released early in the morning, shortly after dawn. Pollen travels best on warm, dry, breezy days and peaks in urban areas mid-day. Pollen counts are lowest during chilly or wet periods.

Year-round allergic rhinitis may be triggered by:

• Pet dander
• Dust and household mites
• Cockroaches
• Moulds growing on walls, paper, house plants, carpeting, and upholstery

Risk Factors

• Family history of allergies
• Having other allergies, such as food allergies or eczema
• Exposure to second hand cigarette smoke
• Male gender

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if:

• You think you may have hay fever
• Your symptoms are ongoing and bothersome
• Allergy medications aren’t working for you
• Allergy medications work, but side effects are a problem
• You have another condition that can worsen hay fever symptoms, such as nasal polyps, asthma or frequent sinus infections

Many people — especially children — get used to hay fever symptoms. But getting the right treatment can reduce irritating symptoms. In some cases, treatment may help prevent more serious allergic conditions, such as asthma or eczema.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your family and personal history of allergy. You may be asked some of the following questions:

• Do symptoms change depending on the time of day or the season?
• Do you have a pet?
• Have you made changes to your diet?
• Are you taking any medications?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and may also recommend a skin test to find out what you are allergic to. In a scratch test, for example, small amounts of suspected allergens are applied to the skin with a needle prick or scratch. If there is an allergy, the area will become swollen and red. Sometimes a blood test may be used to find out which allergens you react to.

With young children, it can help to watch what they do. For example, a child with allergic rhinitis may wiggle his nose and push it upward with the palm of the hand.