What is hay fever?
Hay fever can present in a variety of ways in different people. Some people may develop hay fever symptoms only when the grass pollen count is from May to July – a time known as hay fever season1. Others battle hay fever for much of the year – though the effects are usually worse between late March and September in the UK2.
The most common hay fever symptoms include:
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- A runny or blocked nose1.
However, the symptoms of hay fever can vary from person to person. Depending on the type of pollen allergy you have and its severity, you might experience:
- Red or watery eyes
- A sore throat
- A cough
- A loss of smell
- Sinus pain
- Headache
- Earache
- Tiredness1.
Hay fever symptoms can be cold-like, but unlike a cold – which usually subsides within two weeks – hay fever can occur for longer when you’re in contact with your allergy trigger. Find out more about the differences between allergies and colds.
What are hay fever symptoms?
Hay fever can present in a variety of ways in different people. Some people may develop hay fever symptoms only when the grass pollen count is from May to July – a time known as hay fever season1. Others battle hay fever for much of the year – though the effects are usually worse between late March and September in the UK2.
The most common hay fever symptoms include:
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- A runny or blocked nose1.
However, the symptoms of hay fever can vary from person to person. Depending on the type of pollen allergy you have and its severity, you might experience:
- Red or watery eyes
- A sore throat
- A cough
- A loss of smell
- Sinus pain
- Headache
- Earache
- Tiredness1.
Hay fever symptoms can be cold-like, but unlike a cold – which usually subsides within two weeks – hay fever can occur for longer when you’re in contact with your allergy trigger. Find out more about the differences between allergies and colds.
Tips to help reduce hay fever
While it’s impossible to escape pollen completely, there are other things you can do to reduce hay fever symptoms as much as possible during the season when your allergies are strongest.
When the pollen count is high, you might want to consider the following steps and hay fever remedies:
Stay inside
Try to stay indoors where possible to minimise your exposure to pollen. Avoid walking or cutting grass, especially in the early morning and late evening, and be sure to minimis contact with others if you’re feeling unwell or have a temperature2.
If you do want to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, try to spend time away from rural areas. Heading to the coast can help you to escape the pesky plants, as sea breezes can blow pollen in land.
Keep windows and doors closed
This is most important in the mornings and evening when pollen levels peak. Shutting windows and doors can help to keep the pollen outside of your home. Similarly, it’s a good idea to avoid keeping fresh flowers inside and to not dry clothes outside, as they can end up catching pollen2.
If you’re still suffering indoors, an air filter such as a HEPA filter may be able to help.
Wash when you get home
Pollen can stick to your skin and hair. On high pollen days, showering and washing your hair after arriving home and changing your clothing can help to reduce hay fever symptoms.
Dress for the weather
Wear wraparound sunglasses and a hat with a large brim. This can help to keep pollen out of your eyes and off your face.
Similarly, when you’re getting ready to go out for the day, you can try putting some Vaseline around your nostrils. This can help to trap the pollen before you breath it in2.
Keep your home clean and fresh
Try dusting with a damp cloth and vacuuming regularly to reduce the amount of pollen in your home2. Keeping other irritants out may also help relieve your symptoms, so consider not smoking around the house and keeping pets outside, if possible, as they can bring pollen in with them2.
Keep track of daily pollen levels
Keeping track of daily pollen using the Benadryl pollen forecast can also help. Mid-morning until afternoon is usually the time of the highest concentration of pollen in the air. Try to avoid being outdoors on particularly windy days when pollen is stirred up and mixed into the air.
If you’re still suffering, you may require medication. Find out more about the allergy treatment options available to you.
Hay fever treatment options
You can’t cure hay fever, but there are ways to manage the condition in the long-term1. Various hay fever remedies can reduce the intensity of the allergic symptoms to offer relief.
The different options available to help relieve hay fever symptoms include:
Antihistamines
Antihistamines block the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it’s under attack from an allergen. These are available over the counter or by prescription and can come in the form of tablets, drops and nasal sprays2. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl Allergy Relief, help to relieve the seven symptoms of an allergy: itchy nose, runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin.
This treatment is typically the first line of defence, and antihistamines can come in several types and strengths. For relief from a blocked nose, a nasal spray may help, whereas eyedrops may bring relief to itchy eyes. Antihistamines are less effective for nasal symptoms, so additional nasal sprays may help to relieve discomfort by reducing blood vessel swelling in the nose1.
Nasal sprays
There are a number of nasal sprays available to help with allergy symptoms, including sprays and corticosteroid sprays. Saline sprays can be used to help cleanse the nose, whilst corticosteroid sprays help to relieve nasal congestion and other nasal allergy symptoms. They work by reducing inflammation in the nose.
Just remember that not all nasal sprays are suitable for children4, so always consult the dosage recommendations when choosing any treatment for hay fever in children .
Eye drops
These are very effective at treating hay fever symptoms affecting the eyes, including redness, itchiness, and watering. The drops that contain antihistamine, such as azelastine and olopatadine, reduce inflammation.
Decongestants
Some people can experience nasal congestion when suffering from allergies. Decongestants can help to alleviate nasal and sinus congestion by shrinking swollen blood vessels in the nose. This opens up your nasal passage, making breathing easier.
You can get them in tablet, capsule, and nasal spray formats. Benadryl Allergy Relief Plus Decongestant Capsules contain both an antihistamine and a decongestant and is available in pharmacies.
