(ARA) - Sneezing, stuffiness, a runny nose - these symptoms
don't always indicate a cold. They also can be hallmarks of hay
fever for one in five Americans who suffer from seasonal
allergies. Despite its misleading name, the allergic reaction
is, in fact, rarely triggered by hay. The myth dates back to the
1800s when British doctors discovered that people exposed to cut
hay or grass resulted in sneezing and itching, producing
nervousness, which was referred to as a "fever." Thus, the term
hay fever was coined. Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis,
causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as itching of the
nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes and ears, along with
watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Unlike a cold,
hay fever isn't caused by a virus; it is caused by an allergic
response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as mold, trees,
pollen and pet dander. Hay fever, which affects an estimated 60
million people of all ages in the United States, can drastically
disrupt a person's daily rou