Full detail. "Hay fever" is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Many substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever and hay represents only a small percentage. "Allergic rhinitis" is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction. Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of "Rhino," meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis". When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis."
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and tearing eyes. Post nasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of smell is common and loss of taste occurs occasionally. Nose bleeding may occur if the condition is severe. Observers of the person experiencing allergic rhinitis will commonly notice frequent rubbing of the nose using the index finger. This is the so called "allergic salute." Eye itching, redness, and tearing frequently accompany the nasal symptoms. The eye symptoms are referred to as "allergic conjunctivitis" (inflammation of the whites of the eyes). These allergic symptoms often interfere with one's quality of life and total health. Allergic rhinitis can lead to other diseases such as sinusitis and asthma. Many allergic people have difficulty with social and physical activities. For example, concentration is often difficult while experiencing allergic rhinitis.
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