Q: Should I just accept that I’ll suffer from hay fever during allergy season?
A: Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is a group of symptoms affecting the nose. Don’t be misled by the name – you do not have to be exposed to hay to have symptoms.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, almost 8% of adults have allergic rhinitis in the United States.
The condition develops when the body’s immune system recognizes and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problems in most people. When a sensitive person inhales an allergen, the body’s immune system may react with the following symptoms (listed in order of frequency, per the ACAAI):
* Stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion