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By the time you reach your 20s, hay fever symptoms tend to reduce. Paul Bradbury / Getty ImagesHay fever, also known as pollen allergies, is a form of allergic rhinitis. As an immune response, your body reacts to pollen from trees, grass, or weeds that you're allergic to by mistakenly treating it as a threat. This prompts the release of an antibody called immunoglobulin E, which locates the pollen in your body and sends it to your mast cells. These cells then release a variety of chemicals, including histamine. Histamine is responsible for many hay fever symptoms, such as a runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes.
Hay fever typically begins in childhood or early adulthood. Over time, the severity of symptoms can vary, but the general trend is that after your 20s, the symptoms decrease. Since hay fever is triggered by pollen, it is a seasonal condition. Depending on which types of pollen you're allergic to, symptoms may last from one month to six months. Tree pollen is released in the spring, grass pollen in late spring and summer, and weed pollen in the fall. Symptoms may fluctuate weekly based on the weather, your specific hay fever type, and sensitivities.
As hay fever can persist for months, finding ways to cope with the symptoms becomes essential. Many individuals seek relief at the drugstore. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications prove effective in alleviating the discomfort caused by hay fever. Antihistamines help relieve itching, sneezing, and a runny nose, all caused by histamine. Decongestants clear nasal passages to make breathing easier, while nasal steroids reduce inflammation and treat the runny nose.
