Rohit Katial, M.D., National Jewish Medical and Research Center
Question: What are seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever)?
Answer: Seasonal allergies is a term used to describe a set of respiratory symptoms that are experienced by people who are allergic to pollen from a variety of trees, grasses, and weeds. A synonymous term that's been used over the decade has been hay fever, and that's somewhat of a misnomer because people are actually allergic to the pollen from the living trees, grasses, and weeds, and not so much cut hay. The respiratory symptoms can affect the eyes, the nose, and in a subgroup of people, even their lungs if they have asthma.
Next: What Are Typical Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?
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