hay fever
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hay fever
Hay Fever
an allergic disorder in man, caused by sensitivity to the pollen of certain plant species. Hay fever belongs to the group of pollinoses. The disorder appears during the flowering of grasses and trees. Pollinoses may be spring, summer, or autumn reactions, depending on individual sensitivity to a certain species of pollen and on the time of flowering of the offending plant. Clinical manifestations include irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes and, less frequently, attacks of asthma. Treatment involves specific desensitization between attacks and the use of such symptomatic preparations as ephed-rine, Adrenalin, and antihistamine preparations during the allergy season. Prophylaxis includes changing the place of residence during the hay-fever season and other means of avoiding contact with the allergen.