Hayfever (Allergic Rhino-Conjunctivitis)

In allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, the nose and eyes bear the brunt of the inflammatory reaction. 

Depending on the severity of your hayfever, symptoms and signs may include one or more of the following:

• Blocked or runny nose, sometimes associated with a ‘nasal quality speech’ and reduced taste sensation.

• Repetitive violent sneezing (if this is worse in the morning and occurs all year around, then consider house dust mite allergy as a cause)

• Intense itching and rubbing of the nose and eyes. Rubbing of the nose may result in a clear line across the nose (called a nasal crease), and rubbing of the eyes may result in deep skin folds under the eye (called Morgan Denny’s folds); the dark areas under the eyes are sometimes called ‘allergic shiners’ making children appear fatigued. 

• Eczema flares around the eyes, under the nose, and behind the ears

• Mouth breathing will result in dry teeth, which can result in halitosis and a propensity to develop poor dentition. Dry and cracked lips, if licked repetitively, result in a ‘lip licking’ eczema. 

• Sleep patterns may also be disturbed; children with hay fever are frequently described as ‘restless sleepers’ as evidenced by chaotic bed linens in the morning. 

• Mood may also be adversely affected as a consequence of poor sleep and medication use. 

• Hayfever can impact schooling, particularly as exams are usually taken in the summer months. 

• A post nasal drip may result in a ‘dry hacking cough’ and ‘anti-social throat clearing noises’. 

• Children with hay fever also blink repetitively and distort their itchy mid-facies, sometimes resembling the ‘facial mannerisms of a rabbit’ or a ‘nervous tick’.