Millions of Americans are affected by allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever. Each year the coming of spring marks a new season, hay fever season. To reproduce, plants make pollen that is given off in large quantities by weeds, grasses and trees and carried by the wind up to 400 miles away.
Pollen is shed seasonally.
Tree pollen levels are usually highest in the spring, grasses are highest in early summer and ragweed, a primary hay fever irritant, is highest in the late summer. For many people these tiny particles can trigger an allergic reaction . The symptoms of hay fever include violent sneezing, itchy watery eyes, a runny or clogged nose and an itchy throat and roof of the mouth. These symptoms mirror those of a cold so many people don't realize they have hay fever. In some extreme cases, persons may sneeze 10 to 50 times in a row throughout the day.