Robert Schwartzenberg, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Good Shepherd Hospital, responds to common questions about summer allergies. She could have allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen released into the air by trees, grass and ragweed. When pollens are inhaled, the body releases histamine, which causes sneezing, congestion and watery and itchy eyes. This reaction is the body's exaggerated way of flushing away the invading pollen. Most people develop symptoms before age 20.
Some people are allergic to one type of pollen, while others are allergic to several.
Tree pollen is often the cause of early spring hay fever, while grass pollen is released into the air in early summer. Ragweed is behind most late summer and early fall cases of hay fever. First, she should see her doctor for a diagnosis. If this is the case with your daughter, her doctor can recommend medications that will work best for her symptoms. Even more effective than these medications is simply avoiding pollen as much as possible.