Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is the fifth most common allergies to affect people in the United States. It can be either seasonal or perennial. Seasonal hay fever is caused during the time of the year when it the season of pollination for specific plants. Perennial hay fever can occur at any time of the year.

Different people can be allergic to different pollens, which may cause them to suffer from hay fever symptoms.

People with weak immune systems are usually susceptible to hay fever. Here are a few hay fever symptoms that may indicate the onset of hay fever:

• There will be a bout of prolonged and violent sneezing followed by irritating episodes of itchiness of nose, the roof of the mouth, ears, and throat. The nose will be blocked or runny. Eyes may start to water, and there might be sensitivity to light. There might be redness of eyes. There might be coughing.
• If the density of pollens is high in the air, hay fever symptoms may become severe. There might be excessive sweating. The person may experience a loss of taste and smell. This is also known as anosmia. Facial muscles may ache due to blocked sinuses.
• Due to blocked nose and sinuses, mild to severe headaches might also be experienced. There might be a persistent feeling of fatigue. The person may suffer from restlessness, irritability, and insomnia.
• For those with asthma, hay fever symptoms will aggravate the asthmatic symptoms. There might be severe and more episodes of wheezing and breathlessness. A tightness might be experienced in the chest with shortness of breath. Painful episodes of coughing may also occur.
• Severe cases of hay fever also include fever, bad breath, sinus pain, toothache, and tenderness.

Severe hay fever symptoms can interfere with daily routine and make it difficult to work or attend school. If the symptoms persist for a long time and do not seem to go away with over-the-counter medications, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately.