Hay Fever: Facts and Fables Explained by an ENT Doctor

Facts and fables. For many people it is one of the less pleasant times of the year: the start of the hay fever season. But what exactly is hay fever? What complaints can you get? And more important: what can you do about it? ENT doctor Rolf Postema explains by listing the most important facts and fables.

Hay fever is an allergy: FACT!
‘That’s right. Hay fever is an allergy to pollen (also called pollen) from plants, grasses and trees. Hay fever’ is the word we use for this allergy, but the medical name is allergic rhinitis.’

Hay fever only occurs in the spring: FABEL!
‘When the flowering period is exactly has to do with the weather. For example, a warm winter can lead to an earlier start of the hay fever period. An allergy to tree pollen can then cause complaints even in January. Now that it’s getting warmer, we notice that more and more people are getting complaints. The peak of hay fever is often in the months of May and June.’

Complaints of hay fever are fatigue, lethargy or skin complaints: FACT!
‘These may indeed be the complaints, but they are not the most common complaints. The most common complaints are sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, watery eyes, itching and shortness of breath.’

You can get hay fever at a later age: FACT!
‘The hay fever allergy can manifest itself at a later age. But usually you get it between the ages of ten and thirty. Doctors don’t know exactly how this works. Many people outgrow hay fever on their own. But unfortunately this does not apply to everyone.’

There is no cure for hay fever: MYTH!
“There are several treatments for hay fever to manage the symptoms. Examples are the use of nasal spray, eye drops, antihistamines (tablets against allergies) and immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a treatment lasting three to five years in which you become less sensitive to pollen by means of injections or melting tablets. It is important to determine the best treatment options in consultation with your doctor.’

Hay fever is hereditary: FACT!
‘That’s right. You are more likely to get hay fever if your relatives have hay fever. This also applies to other allergies such as asthma or eczema.’

You suffer less from hay fever due to a good rain shower: FACT!
‘A heavy rain shower causes the pollen in the air to decrease sharply. The air is actually flushed clean. And as a result, pollen is less likely to come into contact with the mucous membrane in the eyes, nose or throat. A shower can also help prevent complaints.’

And did you know that a kindly bunch of flowers can literally give people the spring fever? Therefore, take hay fever-friendly flowers with you when you visit the hospital, for example. These are flowers such as tulips, roses, sunflowers, hydrangeas or peonies.

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