What condition is also known as hay fever and affects the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity?

The condition known as hay fever is medically referred to as allergic rhinitis. This condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or mold spores, leading to inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nasal cavity. Symptoms typically include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and throat irritation. Understanding this definition reveals the close relationship between hay fever and allergic rhinitis, as both involve similar origins and symptomatology.

The other conditions mentioned do not refer to the same phenomenon. Allergic dermatitis pertains to skin reactions, allergy is a broader term that could encompass various immunological responses beyond just nasal symptoms, and sinusitis specifically involves the inflammation of the sinus cavities rather than the nasal mucosa directly related to hay fever. Thus, allergic rhinitis is the precise term that aligns with hay fever due to its focused impact on the nasal cavity and its mucous membranes.