Hay fever is medically referred to as what?

Hay fever is medically referred to as rhinitis, specifically allergic rhinitis. This condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens, such as pollen, leading to inflammation of the nasal passages. Symptoms typically include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itchy eyes. While pollen can cause allergic reactions, the term specifically identifies the associated nasal inflammation that manifests during exposure to pollen.

In this context, hay fever is best understood as a type of rhinitis triggered by seasonal pollen, hence the terminology associated with allergic responses to allergens. Understanding this relationship helps to clarify the nature of hay fever and distinguishes it from other conditions that may involve allergic reactions, such as asthma, which primarily affects the airways, not the nasal passages.