Hay Fever

Allergies can manifest in different ways, such as reactions in the eyes, nose, lungs, or skin. When the nose is affected, it is called rhinitis; for the eyes, conjunctivitis; and for the lungs, asthma.

Allergic rhinitis, such as 'hay fever,' often presents as sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching. Signs of conjunctivitis include eye redness, discharge, and itching. A person with asthma may sometimes only have a simple cough, but in more severe cases, they may have significant difficulty breathing.

Allergies are hypersensitivity reactions to elements known as allergens. There are two different types of allergens: those that provoke seasonal reactions and those that cause reactions all year round.

Seasonal allergies are caused by the pollens of trees, grasses, and weeds, while year-round allergies are due to dust mites, moulds, and animal dander.

Seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis, and those related to occasional exposure to an animal, often have more 'explosive' manifestations, such as sneezing and nasal discharge, whereas year-round allergies are mainly characterised by nasal congestion.

The most effective treatment is, of course, to avoid the responsible allergen whenever possible. For an allergy to an animal, one should avoid the animal if possible; for a dust mite allergy, limit contact with dust. You will find detailed advice on the Swiss Allergy Centre website www.aha.ch.

As far as medication is concerned, three different treatments can be used to soothe rhino-conjunctivitis. For the eyes, drops; for the nose, a spray. An anti-allergy tablet taken orally is sometimes also necessary. These treatments can be taken separately or simultaneously during severe allergic reactions.

In some situations, the doctor may suggest desensitisation, a treatment aimed at curing the allergic person. This treatment spans several years and can be used for allergies to pollens, dust mites, or insect venoms (bees, wasps).

One should be particularly attentive when allergic reactions are intense, especially when respiratory symptoms are associated. Indeed, asthma may initially manifest only as a simple cough or slight shortness of breath, before potentially worsening with difficulty breathing.

You will find a lot of information on the aha.ch Swiss Allergy Centre website, a page is specifically dedicated to pollen allergies, and another one to animal allergies.