Get Ready For Allergy Season

Overview

Allergy season is the time of year when tiny grains of pollen from trees, grasses and weeds float in the air. For many people, breathing in that pollen sets off an allergic reaction — the body mistakes something harmless for a threat and releases a chemical called histamine (a natural substance that causes swelling, itching and extra mucus). The result is often called hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis ('rhinitis' simply means inflammation of the nose). It can make you feel foggy and worn out, but it is very manageable with the right plan.

Yes — hay fever is extremely common. Seasonal allergies affect roughly one in four people in the UK and similar numbers in many other countries, and rates have been rising for decades.

Hay fever can start at any age, but it most often appears in children and teenagers and is often at its worst in the 20s and 30s. It is more likely if you have asthma, eczema, or family members with allergies. Some people find symptoms ease as they get older, and some find they develop hay fever for the first time in adulthood.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Sneezing, often in long bursts
• A runny nose with clear, watery mucus
• A blocked or stuffy nose
• Itchy nose, roof of the mouth, or back of the throat
• Watery, itchy, red or gritty eyes
• Tiredness and poor sleep because of the nose and eye symptoms
• Headache or a heavy feeling across the face
• A tickly cough or throat clearing from mucus dripping down the back of the nose
• Poor concentration or a 'brain fog' feeling on high-pollen days

Symptoms in children

• Frequent rubbing of the nose upward (sometimes called the 'allergic salute') or wiggling the nose
• Dark shadows or creases under the eyes from ongoing congestion
• Mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep
• Itchy, watery eyes and rubbing them a lot
• Being irritable or tired at school, or falling behind on high-pollen days
• Ear discomfort or repeated ear problems linked to congestion
• Hay fever can also make asthma symptoms worse, so watch for more coughing or wheezing

Symptoms in older adults

• Symptoms may be milder than in younger years, or you may notice them for the first time in later life
• Blocked nose and post-nasal drip (mucus running down the throat) are often more troublesome than sneezing
• Dry eyes and eye irritation can be more noticeable
• Sleep disruption and fatigue can have a bigger impact, especially if you already have other health conditions
• Some allergy medicines can cause drowsiness or interact with other medicines, so it is worth checking with your pharmacist
• Hay fever can worsen existing asthma or chronic lung conditions — keep your usual action plan up to date

Causes

Main causes

• Pollen from trees (often early spring), grasses (late spring and early summer), and weeds such as nettle and mugwort (summer and autumn)
• Mould spores, which can rise in damp weather and peak in late summer and autumn
• Cross-reactions: some people react to certain raw fruits, vegetables or nuts because their proteins look similar to pollen — this is called oral allergy syndrome (itching or tingling in the mouth)
• Indoor triggers such as dust mites and pet dander can add to pollen symptoms and make them feel worse

Risk factors

• Having asthma, eczema, or other allergies
• A family history of allergies, hay fever or asthma
• Growing up in an environment with less exposure to diverse microbes (this is one theory researchers are still studying)
• Living in a city — pollution and trapped pollen can make symptoms sharper
• Smoking or being around second-hand smoke, which irritates the airways
• Working outdoors or spending long periods outside during your pollen season

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Breathing difficulty, wheezing that is new or getting worse, or a severe asthma flare
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
• Severe eye pain, vision changes, or a very red eye
• High fever with intense facial pain or swelling
• Symptoms that come on suddenly and feel severe, especially with dizziness or faintness

Book a routine appointment if:

• Symptoms are not controlled by self-care and pharmacy advice
• Hay fever is disturbing your sleep, work or school regularly
• You are unsure whether it is allergy or something else
• You have asthma and your symptoms are harder to manage during your pollen season
• You want to discuss whether other treatments might suit you better
• Your child has ongoing symptoms that affect sleep, feeding or school

Diagnosis

In most cases your doctor or pharmacist can recognise seasonal allergies from your story alone: what symptoms you get, when in the year they appear, and what makes them better or worse. A clear pattern — same weeks each year, worse outdoors, better after rain — is a strong clue. A physical check of your nose, eyes, throat and chest, plus questions about asthma and other allergies, is usually all that is needed.

Tests that may be done

• A symptom diary tracking your symptoms across weeks or months — often more useful than any lab test
• A skin prick test, where tiny amounts of common allergens are placed on the skin to see which ones cause a small bump (done in specialist settings)
• A blood test measuring specific allergy antibodies, if the trigger is unclear or testing is needed before specialist treatment
• Lung function breathing tests if asthma is suspected alongside your allergies
• Sometimes a trial of treatment to see whether symptoms improve, which helps confirm the diagnosis

What to expect at your appointment

Expect a conversation rather than a long list of tests. Your clinician will ask about timing, triggers, sleep, work or school impact, and other conditions such as asthma. If your symptoms are typical and respond to standard treatment, no further tests are usually needed. If your symptoms are unusual, year-round, or not improving, you may be referred to an allergy specialist for skin or blood testing.

Treatment

Treatment works best as a plan rather than a single fix: reduce your exposure to pollen, use pharmacy treatments early and consistently, and step up with your doctor if symptoms still break through. Many people find that starting their usual treatment a week or two before their season begins — rather than waiting for the first sneeze — makes a big difference.

Self-care at home

• Check the pollen forecast (many weather services publish one) and plan outdoor time for lower-count days or early morning and late evening
• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors, and wash your hair before bed so pollen does not travel to your pillow
• Keep windows closed at home and in the car during high-pollen periods; some cars have pollen filters worth checking
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses outdoors to reduce pollen reaching your eyes
• Dry laundry indoors when pollen counts are high — pollen sticks to washing hung outside
• Put a small amount of petroleum jelly (or a similar barrier balm) around the nostrils to trap some pollen before it is breathed in
• Rinse your nose with a salt-water (saline) rinse — use cooled, boiled water or sterile saline, never untreated tap water
• Keep pets out of the bedroom if they bring pollen in on their coats
• Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces and vacuum with a filter vacuum regularly

Medical treatments

Your pharmacist can suggest options without a prescription, and your doctor can advise if those are not enough. Common approaches include: non-drowsy antihistamine tablets (medicines that block the histamine reaction), which help sneezing, itching and runny nose; nasal sprays containing a mild steroid, which are very effective for a blocked nose but need to be used every day for a week or two to reach full effect; antihistamine or soothing eye drops for itchy, watery eyes; and saline nasal rinses for congestion. Some people with persistent, hard-to-control symptoms are referred to a specialist, who may discuss allergen immunotherapy (a course of treatment that gradually retrains the immune system to tolerate pollen). Ask your pharmacist about which option suits you, and check for interactions if you take other medicines or are pregnant, breastfeeding, or treating a child.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not a treatment for hay fever. It is only considered in rare cases for separate problems, such as structural issues inside the nose that cause ongoing blockage — your doctor would discuss this if it applied to you.

Living with this condition

Think of allergy season as something you can plan around rather than just endure. Check the pollen count the way you would check the weather, keep your treatment where you will actually use it (a spare set in your bag and at work), and start your routine early. On the worst days, shift outdoor exercise and errands to lower-count times, and give yourself permission to take it easier — symptoms are genuinely tiring.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a simple diary for a season so you learn your personal pattern and peak weeks
• Set a phone reminder to start your nasal spray or tablets before your season begins
• Create a pollen-free bedroom: windows closed, hair washed, clothes changed, no outdoor shoes inside
• Use a dehumidifier or good ventilation to keep indoor mould and dust mites down
• Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves on high-pollen days, or wear a mask and shower afterwards
• Keep your asthma action plan current and your reliever inhaler with you if you have asthma
• Avoid smoking and smoky places, which make eye and nose symptoms worse

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that cures hay fever, but eating a varied, balanced diet supports general health. If you notice itching or tingling in your mouth after raw fruit, vegetables or nuts during your pollen season, mention it to your doctor — this is a known cross-reaction and you may be advised to avoid those specific raw foods. Exercise is still important. Outdoor workouts can be timed for lower-pollen hours (often after rain, or early morning), and indoor exercise is a good option on peak days. Swimming can feel soothing for people whose noses are irritated, and gentle breathing through the nose during exercise helps filter air.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Ongoing sneezing, itchy eyes and broken sleep can wear you down, and it is common to feel irritable, foggy or low during a bad season. Symptoms can also affect exam performance, work, and social plans, which adds stress. These feelings are understandable and usually ease when symptoms are better controlled — so it is worth telling your doctor if they are affecting your mood or sleep. If you ever feel overwhelmed or are having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for crisis support right away — contact your local crisis line or emergency services, or speak to someone you trust.

Prevention

You cannot stop pollen being in the air, and you cannot 'cure' hay fever, but you can greatly reduce how much it affects you. The most effective prevention is starting treatment early and consistently, combined with simple habits that keep pollen out of your nose, eyes, home and bedding. Many people find that a small amount of planning each spring turns a miserable season into a manageable one.

Complications

If left untreated

• Poor sleep and daytime tiredness, which affects school, work and concentration
• Worsening asthma control — pollen is a common trigger for asthma flare-ups
• Sinus infections from ongoing nasal blockage
• Ear pressure or middle-ear problems, especially in children
• Eye irritation that becomes infected from constant rubbing
• Reduced enjoyment of outdoor activities, exercise and social life
• Low mood and frustration during peak season

Long-term outlook

The outlook is genuinely good. Hay fever is uncomfortable but not harmful for most people, and there are many effective options your pharmacist or doctor can help you find. Most people notice a big improvement once they start treatment early, use it consistently, and adapt a few daily habits. Symptoms often change over the years too — some people find they ease with age. With a bit of planning, allergy season does not have to rule your spring and summer.

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