Hay Fever

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a very common condition that happens when your body reacts badly to pollen. Pollen is the fine, dusty powder that comes from plants, trees and grass. When this powder gets into your nose, eyes or throat, it can make you feel quite unwell.

You cannot catch hay fever from other people - it's not like a cold or flu. Instead, it's what doctors call an allergic reaction.

What does hay fever feel like?

If you have hay fever, you might notice:

• Lots of sneezing and coughing
• Your nose running like a tap or feeling completely blocked
• Red, watery, itchy eyes
• An itchy feeling in your throat, mouth, nose or ears
• Not being able to smell things properly
• Pain around the sides of your head and forehead
• Headaches
• Feeling very tired

These symptoms usually get much worse between late March and September. This is when there's most pollen in the air, especially on warm, damp and windy days.

The big difference between hay fever and a cold is that hay fever can last for weeks or even months. A cold usually gets better in 1 to 2 weeks.

How to help yourself feel better

Unfortunately, there's no cure for hay fever right now, and you cannot prevent it completely. But there are lots of things you can do when the pollen count is high:

Things that can help:

• Put some petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) around your nostrils to catch pollen before it gets in
• Wear wraparound sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when you go outside
• Have a shower and change your clothes when you come back indoors
• Keep windows and doors closed as much as you can
• Vacuum regularly and clean surfaces with a damp cloth
• Use a pollen filter in your car if you have one

Things to avoid:

• Cutting grass or walking on grass
• Spending too much time outside on high pollen days
• Having fresh flowers in your house
• Smoking or being around people who smoke
• Drying clothes outside where they can collect pollen
• Letting pets inside if possible, as they can bring pollen on their fur

Getting help from your pharmacy

Your local pharmacist can be really helpful if you have hay fever. They can suggest medicines like:

• Tablets, drops or nasal sprays that help reduce your reaction to pollen
• Steroid nasal sprays that reduce swelling in your nose

Some of these medicines can make you feel sleepy, so ask about ones that won't make you drowsy if you need to stay alert.

When to speak to your GP

You should speak to your GP if:

• Your symptoms are getting worse
• Medicines from the pharmacy are not helping

Your GP might prescribe stronger treatments or refer you for special treatment called immunotherapy. This involves giving you tiny amounts of pollen over time to help your body get used to it.

Remember

Hay fever is very common and nothing to worry about, but it can make you feel quite unwell. There are lots of ways to manage your symptoms, so don't suffer in silence.

Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.