Normally your body’s immune system protects you against infections and diseases. Allergy and hay fever are caused by your immune system overreacting to usually harmless substances from, for example, grass pollen, house dust mites or animal hair. Substances like these that trigger an allergic reaction are known as allergens. They may most commonly cause a reaction through being inhaled (breathed in).

Allergy, grass pollen allergy and hay fever are increasing health problems

Allergy is a health problem that is becoming more and more common worldwide. It is estimated that around a quarter of all people in Europe suffer from respiratory allergy (allergy that affects breathing and the airways), and half of these people have grass pollen allergy. For people with hay fever, the grass pollen season can be some tough months.
Patients suffering from grass pollen allergy are experiencing increased nose and eye symptoms. If these are not effectively treated they will lead to a worsening of the patients’ quality of life. One out of two allergy patients had trouble falling asleep, and woke up several times during the night which leads to feelings of day-time tiredness & fatigue [1].

Pupils / young adults experiencing sleep disturbance due to their allergic condition have difficulties in concentrating at school, leading to reduced school performance [2].

A similar picture is seen in patients at work. Allergic disease is documented to increase absenteeism from work and reduce productivity while in the work place [3].

Consequently, allergy and treatment of hay fever is one of the most common reasons why people visit their doctor.

References:
[1.] Leger,D., Annesi-Maesano,I., Carat,F., Rugina,M., Chanal,I., Pribil,C., El,Hasnaoui A., Bousquet,J.. Allergic rhinitis and its consequences on quality of sleep: An unexplored area. Arch.Intern.Med. 2006; 166(16):1744-1748.
[2.] S. Walker, et al, hay fever is associated with a significant detrimental impact on exam performance in UK teenagers; case-control study. BSACI 2006, Loughborough, UK; abstract 10.
[3.] Blanc PD, Trupin L, Eisner M, Earnest G, Katz PP, Israel L, Yelin EH. The work impact of asthma and rhinitis: findings from a population-based survey. J Clin Epidemiol. 2001 Jun;54(6):610-8.PMID: 11377122