symptoms of hay fever are very similar to the symptoms of a cold. However, a
cold usually gets better and goes away after about a week. Hay fever may hang
on for several weeks or throughout a season. Year-round (perennial)
may be nearly constant. An accurate diagnosis will help you know how to treat
and manage your symptoms.
fever can usually be diagnosed from a physical examination and health history.
Your doctor will want to know:
- what your symptoms are and
how long you have had them
- whether symptoms are
constant or seasonal
- whether you have any other
- whether you have a family
history of allergy
- what measures you have taken
to treat your symptoms
- whether these measures have
- what triggers your symptoms
standard treatments do not provide relief, your doctor may order tests to
determine exactly what is causing your symptoms.
a skin-prick test, the skin (usually on the forearm, upper arm, or back) is
pricked with a potential allergen. If you develop swelling, redness, or a bump
at the site, you are allergic to the substance. Results can be seen within 15
to 20 minutes. The number of tests and the allergens selected will be based on
- living space
- environmental exposures
most commonly used antigens are pollens, molds, house dust mites, and animal
some cases, your doctor may choose to do intradermal testing. In this method, a
small amount of the allergen is injected just under the skin and the site is
monitored for a reaction.
skin tests are not appropriate, or if their results are not clear, your doctor
may order radioallergosorbent (RAST) test. RAST is a blood test. A sample of
your blood is mixed with a suspected allergen. IgE antibodies, which the immune
system produces normally in response to a very particular type of perceived
threat (parasite infection), are then measured. Allergy is indicated if you
produce IgE antibodies in response to the substance.
some cases, an allergist or other physician may choose to order a special test
such as a video inspection inside the nose (fiber-optic nasal endoscopy). This test
can identify nasal polyps as a cause of allergy symptoms.
Care Physician or Internist
If you’re experiencing symptoms that you think could be caused
by an allergy, see your regular doctor. They’ll be able to recommend or
prescribe any necessary treatments or medications.
Your initial medical visit may result in a recommendation to see
a specialist, such as an allergist or immunologist. This will happen especially
if your regular doctor believes you should have a skin prick or other allergy
test. An allergist is a pediatrician or internist with at least two additional
years of specialized training in diagnosing and treating allergies.
This type of doctor helps to diagnose and treat conditions
on the ears, nose, sinuses, and the voice box (larynx). For allergies, the
typically treat my medication, allergy shots, or having people avoid their
triggers. They are trained to treat:
- hay fever
- seasonal and perennial rhinitis
- chronic sinusitis
- sore throat