Hay fever can affect those at any age in varying degrees – from mild to more severe effects. If you or someone you suspect has hay fever, then you may want to consider the following potential consequences. If you know someone who is possibly in denial about this bothersome, if not possibly life-threatening condition? read on for aspects to consider. 

Hay fever effects in children

In children, hay fever can interfere with their sleep and has many potential knock-on effects. Behavioural impacts the next day due to poor sleep can impact relating to others and affect learning.  As a result, being able to concentrate is compromised.

Physically, the eyes are likely to tear up and become itchy because of swelling in and around the nose. Eyes are affected due to the blockage of the naso-lacrimal duct. Eye problems can result, including infections!                                                                                       

Worse still is the blocking up of the Eustachian tube to the ears, as this impairs a child’s hearing and subsequent learning. It can also lead to middle ear infections.        

Antibiotics may be required or surgery and lifelong implications for those who suffered any untreated scenarios.

Any inflammation of these small organs can significantly impact them as they have limited capacity to cope with any swelling.

In this case, children who have affected or blocked up ears may be considered ‘not listening or difficult’!?

Combine the effects of impaired hearing, irritated eyes, sleep deprivation and behavioural impacts, and what do you get? All these factors are often misconstrued as a naughty or disruptive child!?

 Additionally, on top of this is the effect on balance. Impacting the ear(s) becomes a concern, particularly in the elderly (more about this later).

Treating advanced hay fever 

Having reached this point, the individual is in the grip of advanced disease.  Once this occurs, the condition is not easy to bring under control as it can take several weeks to settle the inflammation and get the swelling down.                                                                                  

That is, ‘IF’ they comply with the recommended therapies?

Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) may be indicated to reduce the severity and the need for regular medication. AIT is typically offered to children over five years of age with severe allergic rhinitis. Treatment is initiated and observed by an immunology/allergy clinician.

Untreated allergic rhinitis has the potential for dental problems as well, as we are all meant to nose breath, right?

The nose warms, filters and humidifies ‘allegedly’ fresh air.

Specifically, mouth breathing can cause gums to recede, exposing teeth to potential decay (and pain).

You know you’re in trouble when your dentist says your teeth are okay, but your gums have to come out?!  Yes, another bad Dad joke.

Cold unfiltered air entering the throat can trigger the cough response. Not handy then if you are an asthmatic!  

Getting in control of your hay fever

Asthmatics can control their symptoms and hay fever effects better and possibly reduce their need for as much medication or hospital admissions. Yay.

Dry and cracked lips, ulcerations in or around the nose are also controllable.              

These scenarios are potentially successfully prevented or limited with the timely and or prophylactic use of an INCS (Intra Nasal Corticosteroid).

More recent INCS have lower absorption rates and are indicated in children from three years of age for allergic rhinitis. However, getting a 3-year-old to comply has its challenges.

In this case, it might be best to wait until they are asleep; after all, it is only one spray/nostril daily.

Be mindful that it can take a week or more, depending on which spray (or molecule) is being used, to obtain a ‘steady state’ (or, control of symptoms) of hay fever.

Slipping behind in class because you are sleepy has even longer-term impacts and can prevent you from doing well in sport. Now that is very un-Australian!

Hay fever affecting adults

In adults, the potential for sleep deprivation, impaired hearing and subsequent behavioural effects can play havoc in the workspace. In particular, the driving of machinery or vehicles and operating of equipment. Any workplace incidents could lead to injury to the individual or others, or worse!?

Unfortunately, there is also the potential to impact one’s personal relationships.

“He/She doesn’t listen to me” sound familiar?

Spare a thought for those looking out (or rather, smelling out) a potential spouse? When the snoz is blocked, not are you only unattractive, you cannot smell any pheromones. Above all, integral to being attracted to any said potential spouse!

Another unfortunate consequence of a blocked snoz due to hay fever is that you are now mouth breathing?  Mouth breathing impacts your gums and teeth! Receding gums exposes teeth to decay and pain. You are increasing the potential for bad breath (halitosis) as well as a postnasal drip, making you so unattractive! Snoring can also be controlled or minimized with the use of an INCS.                                                                                                                          

Chronic sufferers can develop a ‘nasal crease’ due to the constant rubbing or wiping upward of the nose. Commonly referred to as the allergic salute.

Unfortunately for those slow off the mark with treating their symptoms, they cannot appreciate the early relief. As spring or autumn draws to an end, they often misinterpret this as “I knew I’d get better in time”, or misconstrue hay fever as a ‘NORMAL’ event?

Are you a surgeon, dentist, chef, pilot, or operator of any vehicle?  You need to be able to control undesirable symptoms like a runny nose and sneezing events.

More so if you are required to wear a mask.                                                                           

Growing a beard or moustache is not recommended. Think about it?

With modern INCS, you can afford to cease therapy as the hay fever seasons abates. Knowing that you can get back to steady state relatively quickly due to their faster onset of action.

Older people and hay fever effects                                  

In the elderly, the above well-recognised symptoms persist, with a couple of extra ones to consider.                                                                                                                                          

• When you get older, even frail, the potential for unintended hearing loss is not helpful.     
• When your balance is at risk, if you suffer a fall? You could fracture your leg or hip?
• If your fall leads to a bump on the head, you could be at risk of a severe head injury!                         

All of these scenarios could lead to an early departure from this planet!

Hay fever when you are older does not help your teeth when you are mouth breathing. There is the risk of developing a chest infection or pneumonia, with potentially dire consequences!

Ignorance or denial versus education and relief? At your own peril!                                                     

Seek medical or healthcare advice if you are experiencing symptoms or feel you may have hay fever. Our roaming.healthcare directory is available for you or someone you know who may have hay fever and are seeking the help of a local professional.

About our Author: Glen Roche, Founder of Roaming Healthcare, has lived with hay fever for many years. Opinions expressed in this article also relate to his career experience as a Registered Nurse and Sales Representative in the Pharmaceutical Industry for over 30 years.