What you need to know about hay fever season

With summer winding to a close, you might be feeling some dread as fall allergy season approaches. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis, affects 40 to 60 million people per year in the US, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Why is it called hay fever?

While its name is a misnomer—it has mostly to do with pollen—hay fever becomes more prevalent in the spring and fall, and its symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy eyes were originally associated with harvesting fields of hay.

What causes hay fever?

Hay fever, or seasonal allergies, are caused by your body’s production of histamines. When your immune system misidentifies a harmless airborne substance, such as pollen, as something harmful, your body produces antibodies. The next time you are exposed to these substances, the antibodies trigger your immune system to release histamines as a defense, which causes symptoms of hay fever.

How can I prevent hay fever?

While there is no way to prevent hay fever completely, reducing exposure to allergens is one way to help decrease symptoms. If your symptoms are caused by allergens such as pollen, closing windows on days when the pollen count is high will prevent these irritants from entering your home. Having an air purifier with a HEPA air filter is another way to help keep the air in your home free from allergens and irritants. In addition to trapping particles such as pollen and dust, an air purifier like Airmega can trap irritants like pet dander and particles from cooking, smoking, or cleaning.

Want to avoid the annoyance of hay fever this fall? Find out how Airmega, with dual HEPA air filters, helps you fight back against allergens in your home or office.