Limb Pain
Pain in the limbs usually occurs as one of the general symptoms of febrile infections. The body fights off pathogens such as bacteria or viruses with various messenger substances. However, the messenger substances do not only serve to combat pathogens in the body, but also transmit signals that the brain interprets as pain.
In hay fever, the body reacts to actually harmless ingredients of pollen in the same way as it reacts to pathogens. Usually, the immune defense takes place only in the upper respiratory tract. However, when it shifts to the entire body, the messenger substances that cause pain in the limbs are released.
Earache
Earaches are not among the most common symptoms of hay fever, but they can be triggered by hay fever in connection with a blocked nose. An inflammatory reaction to the pollen usually takes place in the nose and upper airways. As these are connected to the inside of the ear canal, the inflammation can also spread to the ear, leading to earache and reduced hearing.
Symptoms on the eyes
People suffering from hay fever are sensitive to proteins found in pollen. Usually these pollen get into the nose by inhalation and trigger an inflammatory reaction there. However, the pollen can also enter the eyes and irritate the conjunctiva there.
Unlike the nose, there is no protective mucous membrane layer in the eye, so the conjunctiva are particularly susceptible to irritation. Anyone who has ever had something fly into their eye knows the reaction to this foreign body: the eye itches and burns, it starts to water, in order to “wash out” the foreign body again. This reaction also takes place in hay fever.
The body also releases substances such as histamine. Histamine is a warning signal for the body and is intended to draw attention to dangerous substances which the body then combats. In addition, histamine irritates the nerve endings, causing pain, itching and burning. The inflammatory reaction of the body can cause the eyes to swell and become red.
