The symptoms of pollen-related allergies are numerous. Most people are likely to have their first symptoms before age 30, though others develop pollen-related allergies later in life. Symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Itchy or sore throat
• Red, itchy or watery eyes

Individuals who suspect a pollen allergy can confirm the diagnosis by visiting an allergist/immunologist. In order to establish if an allergy is present, the physician will collect the patient’s medical history and perform a physical examination.

Physicians look for several signs in determining whether a person is suffering from hay fever or other pollen-related allergies. These include:

• Inflammation of eyes, nose and throat
  
  
• Pale pink or bluish and swollen lining of the nose
  
  
• Dark circles under the eyes (also known as allergic shiners)
  
  
• Wrinkles under the eyes (due to chronic puffiness)
  
  
• Crease across the nose (also known as the allergic salute, it is the result of pushing the nose upward when rubbing it to relieve the itching associated with allergies)

Physicians also can perform skin testing to narrow the cause of symptoms to a specific allergen. During skin testing, a doctor will prick or inject a specific allergen into a patient’s skin and wait for 10 to 20 minutes to see if there is a reaction. The development of a small, raised, reddish area generally indicates a positive reaction.

Skin testing is not practical for those with skin conditions. In such cases, a blood test such as a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) may be the best way to measure whether or not an individual is allergic to a certain pollen. In this process, an allergen is introduced and a patient’s blood is checked for an increase of the IgE antibody, which indicates a potential allergy.

Once the specific pollen causing the symptoms is identified, the physician can help the patient determine when the allergen is most prevalent. The physician can also provide tips to help the patient minimize contact with the allergen.