These substances cause very severe swelling of the mucous membrane lining the nasal passages, intense itching and sneezing and the production of copious amounts of watery mucus. Most people, especially sufferers, are only too familiar with the symptoms of this allergic condition. It can include severe bouts of sneezing, intense itching of the nose and of the palate and even the ear canals. Profuse watery nasal mucus may stream from the nose, which often feels very blocked. Eyes may itch and tear and a common complaint is sensitivity to light.
Sufferers are often irritable and develop frequent headaches.
This may be due to the release of histamine into the blood stream following the allergic reaction. Allergens which cause symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are usually the pollens of grass, trees and a few weed species, all of which are wind-pollinated. It is only the small, light wind-borne pollens that cause the allergic reaction in the nose. Certain tasks such as mowing the lawn during the pollen season will aggravate symptoms of hay-fever. The diagnosis is readily apparent from the history, and skin tests are useful in identifying the allergens causing the symptoms.