The word ‘rhinitis’ means inflammation of the nose and if this is caused by an allergy, it’s known as ‘allergic rhinitis’. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergy to pollen. Typically, grass or tree pollen are the culprits. They cause itchy eyes, nose, and throat, plus sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms occur in what’s known as hay fever season, which is typically from the end of March to July but varies depending on where you are in the country and whether your allergy is to grass pollen or tree pollen. House dust mite and pet allergy can trigger allergic rhinitis at any time of the year. Allergic rhinitis is very common, with around 7-8% of people in the US suffering with it at some point in their life; however, it most commonly starts as a child or teenager. It can run in families, and you are more likely to have allergic rhinitis if you also suffer from asthma or eczema. Allergic rhinitis is not contagious.

Insect bites are common, especially during warmer months when outdoor activities increase. While most insect bites are harmless and cause only minor irritation, some can lead to infections if not properly cared for. An insect bite becomes infected when bacteria enter the wound, leading to symptoms beyond the usual itching and redness. Recognizing an infected insect bite early is crucial to prevent more severe complications. If left untreated, an infection can spread to surrounding tissues or even enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to more severe health issues. Proper care and timely treatment can significantly affect recovery and overall well-being. This article will delve into the causes of infected insect bites, identify the symptoms that signal an infection, and discuss effective treatment options. By understanding these essential aspects, you can take the necessary steps to prevent complications and ensure that an insect bite remains a minor inconvenience rather than a significant health concern.

If you’ve tried over-the-counter pharmacy products and you’re not getting on top of your symptoms, book an appointment with your doctor. They will assess your symptoms and what you’ve tried already and work out the best solution for you. They may prescribe a stronger antihistamine tablet or steroid nasal spray. You should also see your doctor if you’ve been on antihistamine tablets for three months or more – they may advise you to change the brand or try another treatment.

Hay fever affects many people and is caused by an allergy to pollen. But did you know people are usually allergic to certain pollens and not others which is why people suffer hay fever at different points in the year? We’ll take you through matching your symptoms to the different pollens so you can get on top of your hay fever.

Hay fever – also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis - is an allergy to pollen, usually from grass or trees that can cause symptoms in either your eyes, nose or throat. In some sufferers it can cause a whole body response with a combination of symptoms, leaving you feeling pretty fed up and reluctant to embrace the great outdoors. It can also end up interfering with your work, study and sleep. Pollen is a dust-like particle, carried on the wind and by insects such as bees to pollinate more plants. Proteins in pollen can trigger an inflammatory response where an immune-fighting substance called histamine is released from mast cells in the body. This is helpful in protecting you from certain irritants, but hay fever and other allergic reactions occur because your histamine release mechanism goes into overdrive. Hay fever is very common, affecting around 1 in every 5 people in the US, and it often starts as a child or teenager. It can run in families and you are more likely to have hay fever if you also suffer from asthma or eczema. If you have hay fever, when you come into contact with pollen or the spores of molds or fungi that you’re allergic to, your body produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Antibodies are usually only released to fight infection, but in this instance, your body believes the substance you’re allergic to is harmful. When there’s a lot of the substance you’re allergic to in the air, the IgE antibodies will trigger the release of chemicals from certain cells in your nose, throat and eyes. One of these chemicals is histamine, and as a result of histamine in your system, you’ll experience the symptoms of hay fever. Pollen is seasonal. You may be allergic to just one type of pollen, which means you are only susceptible to symptoms at certain times of the year, and therefore treatment can be limited to this time. Treatment can be targeted at relieving each symptom or with the aim of reducing inflammation throughout the body. With lots of hay fever products on the market, it can be tricky to know which is right for you, so let’s talk you through the options.

Rhinitis simply means ‘inflammation of the nose’ and usually causes symptoms such as nasal congestion (a blocked nose), a runny nose, itching, sneezing and a postnasal drip. There are many different causes of rhinitis so identifying the cause is the key to managing the symptoms. For many people, rhinitis can be a short-term (acute) condition that clears up after a few days or it can be a longer-term (chronic) condition that lasts several months or even all year round. Rhinitis is common and often becomes more common with increasing age.