Children with itchy palates often produce a clicking noise when they attempt to rid themselves of the itch with their tongue. The diagnosis of hay fever is not difficult and is often made by the patient or by the parents of a child. A careful history is most helpful in making the diagnosis as well as in ascertaining the seasonal nature of the complaint and the role of seasonal allergens. The nostrils are filled with clear, watery fluid and the nasal turbinates are pale, wet and swollen. The throat is reddened with prominent lymphoid follicles on the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Skin tests are helpful in pin-pointing the offending allergen.
Treatment Seasonal allergic rhinitis responds well to treatment. Ideally allergy treatment always includes avoidance of offending allergens but this is usually impossible with pollens. There symptomatic and definitive treatment will be required in the majority of cases. These preparations are usually very effective. Soporific side-effects as well as an increased tendency irritability were common with the older antihistamines.