Hay Fever: Understanding and Managing Seasonal Allergies

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, known medically as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen from grass, trees or weeds. When someone who is sensitive breathes in pollen, their immune system overreacts, releasing chemicals such as histamine that cause the familiar symptoms. It is very common and tends to flare during the pollen season, which varies depending on which type of pollen you react to.

Although rarely dangerous, hay fever can make everyday life miserable and disrupt sleep, concentration and work.

Recognising the symptoms

Hay fever symptoms typically include:

• Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose.
• Itchy, red or watery eyes.
• An itchy throat, mouth, nose or ears.
• Loss of smell.
• Headache or a feeling of pressure around the face.
• Tiredness, partly from disturbed sleep.

Symptoms tend to appear soon after exposure to pollen and improve when pollen levels drop, such as after rain.

How is it different from a cold?

Hay fever and colds share some symptoms, but there are clues to tell them apart:

• Itchiness of the eyes, nose and throat is typical of hay fever, not colds.
• Duration — hay fever lasts as long as you are exposed to pollen (often weeks), while a cold usually clears in a week or so.
• Fever and aches suggest a cold or other infection rather than hay fever.

Reducing your exposure to pollen

Avoiding pollen completely is impossible, but you can reduce contact:

• Check the pollen forecast and stay indoors when counts are high if possible.
• Keep windows closed during peak times, particularly early morning and evening.
• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors to wash off pollen.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Avoid drying laundry outside on high-pollen days.
• Apply a small amount of barrier balm around the nostrils to trap pollen.

Treatments that help

Several treatments can ease symptoms, and a pharmacist is a great first port of call for advice on what suits you:

• Antihistamines — taken as tablets, liquids or nasal sprays to reduce sneezing, itching and a runny nose.
• Steroid nasal sprays — help with a blocked, inflamed nose, often working best when started before the season peaks.
• Eye drops — to relieve itchy, watery eyes.

Follow the directions, read the patient information leaflet, and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure which option is right for you, especially if you take other medicines or are pregnant. You can browse general allergy-relief options via shop all.

When to see a doctor

Speak to a doctor if:

• Symptoms are severe or not controlled by pharmacy treatments.
• Hay fever is significantly affecting your sleep, work or daily life.
• You also have asthma that worsens during pollen season.
• You are unsure whether your symptoms are due to allergy.

A doctor can review your treatment, check for related conditions such as asthma, and discuss further options if needed.

The takeaway

Hay fever is a common allergic reaction to pollen that causes sneezing, itching and a runny nose during the pollen season. Reducing exposure, combined with pharmacy treatments like antihistamines and nasal sprays, controls symptoms for most people — and a doctor can help if it remains troublesome.

General information only — not medical advice. Always read the patient information leaflet and consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication.