ALLERGIES

Hay fever signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe. If your condition is mild, you may have brief, infrequent episodes of a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. At the other extreme, you may experience persistent, severe symptoms that last more than four days a week or more than four weeks at a time. Chronic congestion may cause facial pressure and pain, alter your sense of taste and smell, and affect your appearance. The skin beneath your eyes may swell and turn blue as you develop what are sometimes called "allergic shiners."

Hay fever symptoms usually develop immediately after you're exposed to specific allergy-causing substances (allergens). Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, mold and pet dander. Sometimes, exposure to irritants such as perfume and tobacco smoke may trigger or worsen symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of hay fever may include:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Congestion
• Frequent sneezing
• Itchy eyes, nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Allergic shiners
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Facial pressure and pain