Hay Fever

Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects many people during certain times of the year. It happens when the body reacts to pollen from trees, grass or weeds. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may affect your daily life. While hay fever cannot be cured, there are many ways to manage and reduce symptoms.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy to pollen. It usually occurs in spring and summer when pollen levels are high. When pollen enters your nose, throat or eyes, it triggers an allergic response. This causes symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Some people may experience symptoms all year round, known as perennial allergic rhinitis.

How to manage hay fever

  • Check the pollen forecast and stay indoors when levels are high
  • Keep windows and doors shut, especially early morning and evening
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen
  • Shower and change clothes after being outside
  • Use antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays as advised by a pharmacist
  • Apply petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen
  • Avoid cutting grass or walking through grassy areas during peak season
  • Keep your home clean and dust-free to reduce pollen build-up

Common symptoms

  • Frequent sneezing
  • Runny or blocked nose
  • Itchy or watery eyes
  • Itchy throat, ears or mouth
  • Loss of smell
  • Feeling tired or irritable
  • Pressure or pain in the forehead and temples

Reviews

Speak to a Specialist

If hay fever symptoms are affecting your daily life or over the counter medicines are not helping, speak to a healthcare professional. A video consultation can help you get tailored advice or prescription treatments if needed.

FAQs

Yes, some people develop hay fever in adulthood even if they had no allergies before.
No. While symptoms can be similar, hay fever is caused by an allergy and does not include a fever.
Tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in early summer and weed pollen in late summer and autumn.
You cannot prevent it, but you can manage symptoms by avoiding pollen and using treatment.
It is not dangerous, but it can affect your sleep, focus and quality of life if not managed.