Does hayfever affect breathing/ chest?

[biotechpete]

Past few weeks I have been feeling short of breath and tight chest, do you think it could be hayfever? seems to have been worse since its rained. Any ideas? thanks

 

This sounds a lot like asthma. The chest tightness is caused by the muscle in your airway wall contracting to restrict your airway (the primary symptom of asthma). Histamine, is responsible for a large proportion of both nasal allergy (rhinitis/hayfever) and also asthma. The two conditions often co-exist. It is possible to have a test known as a bronchial challenge to see if histamine is causing your chest tightness but this is not always necessary.

 

If it is bothering you, you should see a doctor and explain your symptoms. They will probably prescribe you an inhaler although if pollen is your only allergy, you may well find that anti-histamines are beneficial in preventing the onset of symptoms.