How to Know Hay Fever Symptoms

Hay fever is a pesky allergic reaction that's triggered by pollen in the air. Hay fever is at its worst during the spring and summer months, when plants produce the most pollen and people enjoy time outside. An array of treatments exist to help suffers deal with the annoying and uncomfortable symptoms, but before you can treat hay fever, you'll need to know how to recognize the symptoms.

Instructions

• 1

  Pay attention to the number of times you sneeze during the day. Sneezing is one of the chief symptoms of a hay fever allergy.

• 2

  See how often you're scratching your nose, as an itchy, runny nose is often associated with hay fever.

• 3

  Notice whether you're breathing through your mouth more frequently. Though it may seem paradoxical, a stuffy nose can occur just as frequently as a runny nose when someone's suffering from hay fever allergies.

• 4

  Watch out for sore throats. Nasal congestion can lead to mucous draining backwards into the throat. This can lead to coughing, which can in turn lead to sore throats.

• 5

  Ask someone to inspect the inside of your nostrils. Swollen or discolored skin can be a good indication of an allergic reaction. Look for skin that seems unnaturally pink, blue or red.

• 6

  Check for the warning signs associated with allergic rhinitis. Common physical symptoms include dark, sustained puffiness or wrinkles rings around the eyes. These symptoms are the result of chronic sinus congestion, which is often triggered by a hay fever allergy.

• 7

  Ask your doctor to perform a blood test to measure the volume of eosinophils. These white blood cells will fluctuate when your body is experiencing some form of an allergic reaction.

• 8

  Have a skin test performed once you've determined that you are in fact suffering from an allergic reaction. A skin test is often the best way to know which specific environmental factors are contributing to your allergic reaction.