Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Causes of Hay fever

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen. When pollen comes into contact with the cells that line the mouth, nose, eyes and throat, it irritates them. If you’re allergic to pollen, your body thinks it is harmful, and produces a special type of antibody (IgE) to attack the pollen. This triggers the release of further chemicals, including histamine, which together cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

In England, most people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen. Trees, fungal spores and weeds can also cause hay fever. 

Research shows that pollution can make allergies such as hay fever worse.

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