Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington

Hayfever Rhinitis
Symptoms: itchy nose (frequent
sneezing), throat and red watery eyes
Diagnosis: evaluation of the nature, duration of symptoms; possible triggers for
symptoms like medications; family history, environmental & occupational
exposures. Once possible causes of allergy are narrowed down,
there are 2 possible ways of confirming the actual allergens:
(1) direct exposure of patient to allergens (in–vivo or challenging tests)
(2) use of a fluid sample (blood or serum) to detect specific antibodies
Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, = allergic reaction to airborne
substances such as pollen that get into the upper respiratory passages -
the nose, sinus, throat.
Misnomer because symptoms don't just occur when hay is gathered
(autumn) but spring/ summer & never include fever.
Most common of all the allergic diseases about 15 per cent of the
population in industrialized countries suffer.
Symptoms usually appear in childhood and then lessen by the age of
30 or 40. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a similar allergy that occurs all year
round & is often caused by dust mites & pets.