Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, is a very commonly experienced allergy condition. It causes cold-like symptoms, such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and sinus pressure that can result in headaches. Hay fever is caused by the body’s histamine reaction to any one of a number of possible allergens. You may be affected by one, none, or several of the following substances: airborne chemicals, pollen, pet hair/dander, or mites. Twenty percent of the population suffers mild to severe hay fever as a result of contact with one or more of these allergens.

If you’re severely symptomatic, you know how debilitating hay fever can be. Allergic rhinitis can result in having symptoms as serious as a cold or flu, for months on end resulting in lack of sleep, fatigue, and changes in mood. Some people even suffer from this allergy year round, if the substance that causes their symptoms is prevalent all year, or if they react to several substances which are present at different times throughout the year.

Sufferers can seek relief through both prevention and treatment of symptoms. Prevention includes the reduction or elimination of exposure to those things you’re allergic to. Treatment with over the counter medications can be very effective, and there are also a wide variety of prescription medications your doctor can recommend.