Leslie Clason, age 12, of Eugene, Ore., for her question:
WHAT IS HAY FEVER?
Too many people regard hay fever lightly. This is particularly the case if they do not have it themselves. Hay fever symptoms are generally more uncomfortable than dangerous but are not to be taken too lightly. Statistics show that more than 30 percent of all hay fever patients develop asthma and many develop other problems of the respiratory tract or sinus cavities.
Hay fever is called an allergic rhinitis in the medical profession. It is an inflammation of the eyes and nasal passages caused by sensitivity to a particular pollen, dust or other substances.
Symptoms of hay fever include tickling, stuffiness and a water discharge in the nose, sneezing and redness and itching of the eyes.
Hay fever is more than just an annoyance. It can be a serious problem. General health may be affected through the loss of sleep and appetite. Infections of the sinuses, throat and bronchial tubes may be involved, sometimes accompanied by asthma. As there are a number of different types of hay fever, the victim should have the problem identified by a doctor and proper medication made available.
Perennial hay fever is the type which causes a sensitivity to house dust, animal hair, feathers and certain foods. This type of hay fever can occur at any time of the year.
Seasonal hay fever is the most common type, and it is due to pollens in the air. It occurs at the time of the year when the suspected plant which causes it is in bloom. Spring hay fever is caused by tree pollens. Summer hay fever is caused by grass pollens, and fall hay fever is due in most cases to ragweed pollen.
There are four general treatments available for the hay fever sufferer. First is a series of hypodermic injections from a doctor which will reduce the sensitivity and prevent further attacks for some time. Second is the removal of pollens from the air, particularly in the sleeping room. This can be done by air filters and air conditioning. Third treatment is a permanent change of location or a vacation during the hay fever season. Fourth is medicine which doctors can give in drop form, sprays, pills or capsules.
Doctors have discovered that the value of antihistamines depends on the individual and the severity of the symptoms. Sedatives are also prescribed by some doctors, but they must be used with discretion. Two other useful drugs are corticosteroids and ephedrine.
Another aid to hay fever is desensitization. The victim is given minute quantities of an allergen before the pollen season, so that he may develop antibodies to help fight the disease.