Hay Fever - Diagnosis

Hay fever can usually be diagnosed quite easily. Symptoms and a medical history usually indicate the presence of the condition. When symptoms appear in the spring and disappear in the fall, seasonal hay fever is likely to be the cause. Perennial hay fever can often be diagnosed by asking the patient what substances seem to cause his or her symptoms.

Skin tests are often used in diagnosing hay fever. The first step in conducting a skin test is to place a small amount of a suspected allergen on the skin. The doctor then scratches the skin very lightly. The scratch allows the allergen to get into the bloodstream. After a few minutes, the doctor checks the area being tested. A redness and swelling indicate that the patient is allergic to the material being tested. In most cases, twenty or more materials can be tested at one time. The tests are carried out on the patient's back or forearm.

Illustration of excessive mucus production in the nose after inhalation of airborne pollen. (Reproduced by permission of

Photo Researchers, Inc.

)