Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is an allergic reaction.
👉 It happens when the immune system overreacts to harmless airborne substances, such as:
- Pollen 🌼
- Dust mites 🏠
- Pet dander 🐕
⚠️ Key Fact
- Affects around 10–30% of people
- Can impact sleep, energy, and daily life
🧩 Key Symptoms
👃 Nasal Symptoms
- Runny nose
- Blocked (congested) nose
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drip
👀 Eye Symptoms
- Itchy eyes
- Red eyes
- Watery eyes
🧠 Other Symptoms
- Itchy throat or nose
- Ear pressure
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dark circles under eyes (“allergic shiners”)
🌼 Common Allergens
🌳 Outdoor Allergens
- Tree pollen
- Grass pollen
- Weed pollen
🏠 Indoor Allergens
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Cockroaches
🛠️ Treatment and Management
🚫 Avoiding Triggers
- Keep windows closed during high pollen seasons
- Use air conditioning
- Wash hands and change clothes after being outside
💊 Medications
- Antihistamines → reduce allergic reaction
- Decongestants → relieve blocked nose
- Steroid nasal sprays → reduce inflammation
📅 Long-Term Treatment
- Allergy shots (immunotherapy)
- Allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy)
❄️ Allergies vs Cold
| Feature | Allergic Rhinitis | Common Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Allergy | Virus |
| Fever | ❌ No | ✅ Sometimes |
| Duration | Weeks/months | Few days |
| Itching | ✅ Common | ❌ Rare |
📊 Key Takeaways
✔ Caused by allergens, not viruses
✔ Symptoms can last weeks or longer
✔ Common but manageable condition
✔ Treatment includes avoidance + medication
⚠️ When to Seek Help
Speak to a healthcare professional if:
- Symptoms are severe or persistent
- Over-the-counter treatments are not working
- It affects sleep or daily life
🧠 Teaching Tip
To support learners:
- Use a pollen calendar visual
- Compare cold vs allergies
- Show images of common allergens
- Include a daily management checklist
🚨 Severe Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a rapid and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
👉 It can develop within minutes of exposure to an allergen
👉 It requires immediate emergency treatment
⚠️ Key Symptoms (Often Rapid Onset)
Symptoms can affect multiple body systems:
🌬️ Breathing (Respiratory)
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Throat tightness or swelling
- Persistent coughing
🧴 Skin Reactions
- Hives (raised itchy rash)
- Redness or flushing
- Swelling of lips, tongue, or face
- Itching
❤️ Circulatory System
- Low blood pressure
- Weak pulse
- Dizziness or fainting
- Pale, cold, or clammy skin
- Shock
🤢 Digestive System
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
🧠 Other Symptoms
- Feeling of “impending doom” or panic
- Sudden extreme anxiety
🚨 Common Triggers
🥜 Foods
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Shellfish/seafood
- Milk
- Eggs
- Sesame
💊 Medications
- Antibiotics (e.g. penicillin)
- NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medicines)
🐝 Insect Stings
- Bees
- Wasps
🧤 Other Triggers
- Latex (rubber products)
🚑 Immediate Emergency Actions
💉 1. Use Epinephrine Immediately
- Inject epinephrine (e.g. EpiPen) into outer thigh
- Do NOT delay treatment
📞 2. Call Emergency Services
- Call 911 immediately
- Even if symptoms improve after injection
🛏️ 3. Positioning
- Lay person flat and raise legs (about 12 inches)
- If breathing is difficult → allow sitting up
- If unconscious → recovery position
🧹 4. Remove Trigger (if possible)
- Remove stinger (bee/wasp sting)
- Stop exposure to allergen
❤️ 5. Monitor the Person
- Watch breathing and pulse
- Perform CPR if needed
🧭 Key Takeaway
✔ Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency
✔ It can be fatal without treatment
✔ Epinephrine is the first-line lifesaving treatment
✔ Emergency services must always be called
⚠️ Important Note
If anaphylaxis is suspected:
- Act immediately—do not wait
- Always follow a doctor’s personal allergy action plan
🧠 Teaching Tip
To support learning:
- Compare mild allergy vs anaphylaxis
- Use a step-by-step emergency flowchart
-
Include visuals of:
- EpiPen use
- Allergic reaction symptoms map
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