About Allergies

Many of us will experience an allergic reaction to something at some stage in our lives. The watery, red and itchy eyes, sneezing, runny and itchy nose and all the other symptoms can really affect our day-to-day activities.1 If you or someone you love suffers from hay fever, you know how hay fever can affect your quality of life, whether it’s sleep disturbance, daytime fatigue, or difficulty concentrating.2,3

But what is hay fever and what causes it to happen?

Hay fever, also referred to as seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis, affects around 400 million people worldwide.4 It is also the most common allergic condition in New Zealand.1 Hay fever only happens during certain months of the year (seasonal allergies) and other allergies may occur throughout the year (year-round allergies).1 An allergy occurs when your immune system thinks something like pollen, dust or food is a threat.5 Pollen that floats in the air can enter through your nose, mouth, and or eyes and within minutes cause a range of allergy symptoms.6

Types of Allergies

There are many causes of allergies. It is important to figure out what your allergy triggers are. You might be able to avoid some, but this isn’t always possible, especially if they are dust, animal dander or mould.1

Some of the more common causes of allergies are listed below to help you identify the possible causes of your allergy symptoms.

Common Causes of Allergies

  • Pollen Allergy

  • Pet Allergy

  • Mould Allergy

  • Insect Allergy

Pollen Allergy

Pollen is one of the main causes of hay fever symptoms. During the months of spring and summer most plants (trees, shrubs, grasses, weeds and flowers) release pollen. These plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that travel by the wind. They then can find their way into your eyes, nose, and lungs, causing allergy symptoms if you have a pollen allergy.6,7

In New Zealand, this starts in the north of the North Island and gradually moves down through the South Island up to a month later. The yellow pollen from Pine trees is often the first sign of the pollen season however their pollination period is usually short, lasting roughly 2 weeks. Grass pollination, on the other hand, can last for almost the whole year, from August/September through to March.7

Daily pollen concentration will vary depending on the region you are in and on the weather.

Pet Allergy

Many people have allergies to furry pets such as cats and dogs. In New Zealand cat allergy is the most common, but even rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and horses can cause allergy symptoms.9 People can also be allergic to birds (e.g. parrots or parakeets).9

Generally, the fur or feathers carry the allergen, and, because these can stick to clothes or furniture, it may not be obvious to someone with hay fever that this is what is triggering their symptoms.9

Mould Allergy

Mould is a type of fungus that produces spores that float through the air and can be found almost anywhere that moisture and oxygen are present, particularly when there is little or no ventilation.10 It can be found indoors and outdoors.10

Mould spores can get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms.10 This allergic reaction can occur right away can be delayed in others like a stuffy nose which gets worse over time.10 They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.6

Insect Allergy

Most insect bites and stings only cause itching and swelling around the site of the sting, which usually doesn’t last longer than a few days.11 You can also experience an allergic reaction to household pests that are non-stinging and non-biting like cockroaches or dust mites. Household pests can be the cause of year-round hay fever symptoms.6

In more severe cases stings from bees or wasps can cause anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). The symptoms to watch out for include swelling of tongue or throat, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure (shock). This may be accompanied with an all-over rash.12

  • Pollen Allergy

    Pollen is one of the main causes of hay fever symptoms. During the months of spring and summer most plants (trees, shrubs, grasses, weeds and flowers) release pollen. These plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that travel by the wind. They then can find their way into your eyes, nose, and lungs, causing allergy symptoms if you have a pollen allergy.6,7

    In New Zealand, this starts in the north of the North Island and gradually moves down through the South Island up to a month later. The yellow pollen from Pine trees is often the first sign of the pollen season however their pollination period is usually short, lasting roughly 2 weeks. Grass pollination, on the other hand, can last for almost the whole year, from August/September through to March.7

    Daily pollen concentration will vary depending on the region you are in and on the weather.

  • Pet Allergy

    Many people have allergies to furry pets such as cats and dogs. In New Zealand cat allergy is the most common, but even rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and horses can cause allergy symptoms.9 People can also be allergic to birds (e.g. parrots or parakeets).9

    Generally, the fur or feathers carry the allergen, and, because these can stick to clothes or furniture, it may not be obvious to someone with hay fever that this is what is triggering their symptoms.9

  • Mould Allergy

    Mould is a type of fungus that produces spores that float through the air and can be found almost anywhere that moisture and oxygen are present, particularly when there is little or no ventilation.10 It can be found indoors and outdoors.10

    Mould spores can get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms.10 This allergic reaction can occur right away can be delayed in others like a stuffy nose which gets worse over time.10 They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma.6

  • Insect Allergy

    Most insect bites and stings only cause itching and swelling around the site of the sting, which usually doesn’t last longer than a few days.11 You can also experience an allergic reaction to household pests that are non-stinging and non-biting like cockroaches or dust mites. Household pests can be the cause of year-round hay fever symptoms.6

    In more severe cases stings from bees or wasps can cause anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). The symptoms to watch out for include swelling of tongue or throat, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure (shock). This may be accompanied with an all-over rash.12

Symptoms of Allergies

Allergy Symptoms

When your body’s immune system sees something which is otherwise harmless as a threat, it can overreact leading to an allergic reaction.5 The symptoms that occur are as a direct result of this.5 There are many ways in which allergens can get into your body to cause such a reaction.6 Reactions usually happen quickly (within minutes) but can be delayed in some people; and continue for as long as the person is still in contact with the allergen.5 This means some people can have short term allergic reactions, and others suffer from allergy symptoms all year round.1

When you suffer from allergies, you may have any
or all of the following typical allergy symptoms1

How Can I Tell the Difference Between the
Flu, a Cold, or Hay fever

There are some symptoms that may feel very similar and it can be confusing to tell whether you might have a cold or it’s your allergy starting up again.

Table 1: Differentiating symptoms between a cold, flu, or hay fever.6

This information is subject to change: please see here

Hay fever Cold Flu
Fever (>37.8°C) No May be short fever period Common
Onset of symptoms Abrupt Gradual Abrupt
Length of symptoms While triggers are present Less than 14 days 7-14 days
Headache Can be related to sinus pain Rare Common
Feeling tired & weak Sometimes Sometimes Common
Other symptoms
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Red/itchy/watery eyes
  • Itchy throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Mild cough
  • Sore throat
  • Aches and Pains
  • Short fever period
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Cough (usually dry)
  • Sore throat
  • Aches and pains
  • Fever (common)
  • Chills
Hay fever
Fever (>37.8°C) No
Onset of symptoms Abrupt
Length of symptoms While triggers are present
Headache Can be related to sinus pain
Feeling tired & weak Sometimes
Other sysmptoms
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Red/itchy/watery eyes
  • Itchy throat
Cold
Fever (>37.8°C) May be short fever period
Onset of symptoms Gradual
Length of symptoms Less than 14 days
Headache Rare
Feeling tired & weak Sometimes
Other symptoms
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Mild cough
  • Sore throat
  • Aches and Pains
  • Short fever period
Flu
Fever (>37.8°C) Common
Onset of symptoms Abrupt
Length of symptoms 7-14 days
Headache Common
Feeling tired & weak Common
Common
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Cough (usually dry)
  • Sore throat
  • Aches and pains
  • Fever (common)
  • Chills

Adapted from Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America.

If you have symptoms that worry you or think you might have COVID-19 speak to your healthcare professional.

Allergies in Children

We know how much Kiwi children like to play outside and there is no stopping them from cuddling their favourite pet. So how do we help our children live with hay fever symptoms?

Any child can develop allergies, but they are more common in children from families with a history of allergies. To help your child live a “normal life” it is important to know what is causing their allergy symptoms.6,8

Childhood Allergy Symptoms

Is there really a difference in allergy symptoms in children? Many of the symptoms are similar and include a runny and itchy nose, sneezing and stuffy nose.8 A child with allergies may also have itchy, watery, red eyes, and additionally, ongoing ear problems.8

  • References

    1. Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Update. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy 2020. www.allergy.org.au
    2. Lipworth B, et al. Primary Care Respiratory Medicine. 2017;27(1).
    3. Jáuregui I, et al. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2009;19(1):32-39.
    4. Scarupa MD, Kaliner MA. In-depth review of allergic rhinitis. World Allergy Organisation. 2020.
    5. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever). Allergy New Zealand. Accessed 2022.
    6. Allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed 2022.
    7. Pollen Allergies. Allergy New Zealand. Accessed 2022.
    8. Allergies: children and allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Accessed 2022.
    9. Animal_Pet Allergies. Allergy New Zealand. Accessed 2022.
    10. Mold Allergy. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed 2022.
    11. Insect Allergy. Allergy New Zealand. Accessed 2022.
    12. Insect Allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Accessed 2022.