What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a common condition that affects around 10 million people in the UK, especially at certain times of the year. It’s caused by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens like pollen, dust mites, or any pets with fur, particularly cats and dogs.

This article explores what hay fever is, its symptoms and how it’s different from a cold. Its impact on asthma, and how you can manage it effectively too.

Hay fever symptoms

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, can affect people of any age and have symptoms that may vary in severity but are easy to recognise:

Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose are among the most common symptoms.
You can get itchy, red, or watery eyes known as allergic conjunctivitis, which can be especially irritating.
Itchy throat, mouth, nose, or ears are also typical symptoms.
Coughing and wheezing from hay fever can trigger inflammation in your airways too.

Any persistent symptoms like these, whether alone or combined, can cause fatigue and irritability, affecting your sleep and mood.

If you think you have hay fever, speak to your doctor. Start an online consultation and, as long as you’re over 18, one of our clinicians can prescribe an effective treatment for you.

What’s the difference between hay fever and a cold?

Hay fever and the common cold share many symptoms, but there are key differences:

Duration- A common cold can come on gradually over 2-3 days and last around 1-2 weeks in adults, or longer for young children. However, hay fever symptoms persist for as long as you’re exposed to the allergens causing it.
Fever- Despite the name, hay fever doesn’t cause a fever, but a cold sometimes does.
Mucus- Cold-related mucus is often thick and can be yellow or green. When you have hay fever, it’s usually clear and watery and can cause a cough by irritating your throat.
Timing- You can get a cold any time of year, whereas hay fever symptoms for a lot of people tend to be worse late March to September when the pollen count is at its highest. Especially in warm, humid and windy weather. Don’t forget, allergies to other irritants such as dust mites, or pets with fur can cause symptoms to be continuous

Does hay fever make asthma worse?

If you have asthma, hay fever can make the symptoms worse. Allergens that trigger hay fever often irritate your airways, leading to:

Increased wheezing or shortness of breath.
More frequent asthma attacks.
A greater need to use your inhaler.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is a common condition and over 80% of those with asthma have it. If you have both asthma and hay fever, it’s important to manage the conditions together.

We can prescribe a range of effective treatments and during a short online consultation, we’ll ask a few simple questions so we can decide which type of ‘reliever’, ‘preventer’ or combination inhaler is right for you.

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How to treat hay fever

Hay fever is an allergy and there are a range of ways to treat the symptoms when your body reacts. Many of these treatments are available at pharmacies without a prescription:

Over-the-counter treatments

Antihistamines help calm sneezing and itching by blocking histamine, a chemical responsible for allergic reactions.
Steroid and decongestant nasal sprays reduce inflammation and work to clear congestion for easier breathing.
Eye drops help soothe red, itchy, or watery eyes.

You may want to use a combination of these treatments to help your symptoms. Your pharmacist can tell you more about the various treatments and discuss which might be best for your needs. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following:

Prescription treatments

Stronger nasal sprays or antihistamine tablets like Telfast.Leukotriene receptor antagonists reduce inflammation in your airways.Immunotherapy gradually exposes you to allergens which can build tolerance over time. However, this can take months or even years.

Lifestyle changes

Making some simple adjustments in your daily life can make a difference, by reducing your exposure to allergens and helping your immune system.

Stay indoors during peak pollen times. This usually means early morning and late evening.
Keep windows closed. This is most important in the early mornings, when pollen is being released, and in the evening when the air cools.
Wash yourself and change your clothes after being outside. It helps minimise any continued exposure to pollen.

Potential hay fever treatment side effects

Most hay fever treatments are safe, but some medications can cause reactions in some people:

Older style antihistamines can cause drowsiness or even sleepiness.
Overusing nostril sprays may lead to dryness or nasal irritation.
Some antihistamines can cause digestive issues like nausea or an upset stomach.

Always follow the dosage instructions and speak to your doctor if side effects persist.
Get relief from hay fever symptoms.

If your hay fever symptoms are severe or unclear, speak to your doctor. Our clinicians can also assess your symptoms and prescribe a hay fever treatment that’s right for you. You can start a consultation now.