|
|
Article: Hay Fever
- Article from:
- UXL Complete Health Resource
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
HAY FEVER
DEFINITION
Hay fever is an inflammation of the nasal passages. It is an allergic reaction to substances present in the air. The medical name for hay fever is allergic rhinitis (pronounced ri-NI-tuss).
DESCRIPTION
Hay fever is the most common allergic condition (see allergies entry). An allergic condition is a reaction by the body to some substance that is harmless to most people. For example, most people are not bothered by dust in the air. For other people, however, inhaling dust can cause dramatic bodily changes, such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy and watery eyes.
Between 10 and 20 percent of all people in the United States have hay fever. The condition accounts for ...