Hay Fever By Dr. Robert Fried, MD This article is subject to protection of the US copyright act. It may not be copied or electronically transmitted in whole or in part without the express prior written permission of the author.
Spring is here.
The pollen which coats our vehicles with a thick layer of yellow dust also gets trapped in the body s respiratory filters, our nasal passages. For some people this is no problem. For those allergic to pollen, the body reacts with release of a chemical called histamine, which in turn causes swelling of the nasal lining, increased mucous production, and itching. The medical term for this is allergic rhinitis. There are many medications over the counter targeted toward this problem.