Skip to content
Trusted to do 100,000+ tests and consultations per month.
Trusted to do 100,000+ tests and consultations per month.
lady sneezing in field

HAY FEVER TIPS: ANSWER TO COMMON QUESTIONS

THE AUTHOR: DR. ADAM STATEN

THE AUTHOR: DR. ADAM STATEN

Dr Adam Staten is a NHS GP and part of the Clinical Governance team here at One Day Tests. Dr. Staten trained at Cambridge University and King's College London. He has served as a Medical Officer in the British Army. Dr. Staten is a firm believer in educating people about common health problems to empower them to understand and manage their own health.

INTRODUCTION

Hay fever is extremely common in the UK, with some studies suggesting that up to half of people suffer from some degree of hay fever. Rates of hay fever also seem to be increasing in the UK although no one is sure why. Whilst for most people hay fever is a mild irritation, for some people it can be quite debilitating and have a major impact on quality of life. 

Six pillars of health

WHAT IS HAY FEVER?

Hay fever results from an allergic reaction to pollen. This is most often a reaction to grass pollen but it can be due to pollens from flowers, trees, or weeds. Typically, symptoms are worst during the grass pollen season which runs from about May to July but, if tree pollens are the problem, symptoms may be at their worst a bit earlier (March to May) or, if weeds are the issue, then symptoms may run all the way through to early autumn. 

SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER

Symptoms normally include: Despite the name, hay fever does not actually cause a fever. These symptoms occur when pollen comes into contact with the mucous membranes lining the respiratory system, or with the surface of the eyes, and the body’s immune system reacts against it by producing chemicals such as histamines. This results in inflammation.


  • Runny nose
  • Itchy eyes
  • Scratchy throat
  • Sometimes coughing due to mucous in throat ( postnasal drip )

Despite the name, hay fever does not actually cause a fever. These symptoms occur when pollen comes into contact with the mucous membranes lining the respiratory system, or with the surface of the eyes, and the body’s immune system reacts against it by producing chemicals such as histamines. This results in inflammation.

People who suffer with asthma are more likely to suffer with hay fever and pollen may also trigger asthma symptoms such as wheeze, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Hay fever also runs in families and you are more likely to suffer from it if relatives suffer from it, or if they have other related conditions including asthma, eczema, and allergies.

CAN YOU DIAGNOSE HAY FEVER?

Typical symptoms at the right time of year are enough to make the diagnosis. However, allergy tests can be very helpful in diagnosing hay fever if there is doubt about the symptom. For example, people who experience similar symptoms all year round which may be due to allergies to things like dust mites, or cat and dog dander. 

RECOMMENDED BLOOD TEST

CAN YOU PREVENT HAY FEVER?

Taking preventative action for hay fever is difficult because pollen tends to be in the air all around us in spring and summer. Some steps that might help are:

  •  keeping an eye on the pollen count (which is often reported in weather forecasts) 
  •  trying to stay indoors if it is above 50 
  • wearing wrap around sunglasses when outside 
  • keeping car windows shut and making sure your car has a clean pollen filter
  • avoiding tasks like cutting the grass if possible
Six pillars of health

HAY FEVER TREATMENT

For most people the treatment of hay fever is straightforward, and the condition can be managed with products that can be bought from any pharmacy without the need for a prescription. The treatments are targeted at reducing the immune response that is causing the symptoms.

ANTIHISTAMINE


Most commonly this involves taking antihistamine medication, which counteracts the body’s release of histamine. Most people prefer to take a non-drowsy, once daily preparation of antihistamine such as: 

  • loratadine 
  • cetirizine  
  • fexofenadine

which can all be bought over the counter.


EYE DROPS


Antihistamines will tend to improve all the symptoms of hay fever but, for people who are suffering particularly with irritation to the eyes, then allergy eye drops can be used as required to relieve the symptoms. Similarly, if the biggest problem is a blocked or runny nose, then nasal sprays can be used.


NASAL SPRAY



Nasal sprays may be steroid nasal sprays or antihistamine nasal sprays both of which act to reduce the inflammation affecting the lining of the nose. Antihistamine nasal sprays tend to work more quickly to reduce symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing, but their effect is shorter lived than steroid sprays. Steroid nasal sprays should be taken consistently throughout the hay fever season to keep inflammation under control and prevent symptoms breaking through. Some people also find saline nasal sprays helpful. These are used to wash out the pollen from the nose.

WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE HAY FEVER MEDICATION?


People who are affected every year by hay fever will benefit from starting medication for it before their symptoms start. Starting the medication in the weeks before the pollen counts start to rise will help to stop the symptoms ever developing.


WHEN TO SEEK DOCTOR'S ADVICE?


For most people, the above steps will be enough to adequately control their symptoms. If they are not enough, then you should speak to your doctor about other steps to take. This may be taking the medication in a different way or in a different combination, or it may involve using prescription only medications. For example, some people will benefit from a medication called montelukast. This is an asthma medication but can be helpful for people with hay fever, particularly if their hay fever causes symptoms similar to asthma such as wheeze or chest tightness.

STEROID TABLETS


Occasionally, your doctor may suggest using steroid tablets. Steroids are very effective for controlling hay fever but should only be used in short courses as prolonged use of steroids can cause a wide range of severe side effects. They are most useful if there is a particularly important event, such as a wedding or exams, for which symptoms need to be controlled.

IMMUNOTHERAPY


In very severe cases that aren’t responding to normal treatments, the final option is immunotherapy which is normally conducted by an allergy specialist in an allergy clinic. The aim of this therapy is to densensitise the immune system to pollen and it can be given in either injectable or tablet form. It will often improve symptoms significantly but it is not suitable for everyone. 

SUMMARY

Hay fever can spoil the enjoyment of spring and summer but it needn’t. In general, using the right over-the-counter medications will make symptoms much less bothersome. If symptoms persist it is worth taking an allergy test to see if other factors are at play.

If over the counter medication is not helping your symptoms then you should speak with your doctor.

An allergic reaction to pollen causes Hay fever

Symptoms of Hay Fever are worst in Spring and Summer months

Over the counter medication should be taken to treat symptoms

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can Hay Fever be prevented?

Unfortunately, Hay Fever cannot be cured or completely prevented, but there are steps you can take to relieve your symptoms, especially when pollen levels are high.

Can you develop hay fever as an adult?

Yes, you can develop hay fever as an adult, even if you've never had it before. This is referred to as adult-onset allergies. It can be triggered by factors such as changes in your environment, exposure to new allergens, and inherited genetic traits.

What actually causes Hay Fever?

The body creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies as a defense mechanism against allergens. When an allergen is detected, these antibodies prompt the immune system to release chemicals like histamine into the bloodstream, triggering the allergic response that results in hay fever symptoms.

What are the common symptoms of Hay Fever?

The most common Hay Fever symptoms include; sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red, or watery eyes.

Can an allergy test help with diagnosing hay fever?

es, allergy tests can be very helpful in diagnosing hay fever. They identify the specific allergens—such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander—that are causing your symptoms, which is key to finding the right treatment. Common types of allergy tests include skin prick tests and blood tests. When combined with your medical history, these results can confirm whether you have allergies and reveal what triggers them.

ONE DAY TESTS

If your looking for a blood test to monitor a specific health condition, or just want to review your overall health, One Day Tests offer a blood testing and diagnostics services across the UK.


Why One Day Tests? Simple to answer... fast , accessible and accurate blood testing at affordable prices.


You can select a local blood testing clinic or choose our easy to use home testing kits .


RELATED ARTICLES

Previous article LYME DISEASE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
Next article TRAVEL HEALTH ADVICE

Leave a comment

Comments must be approved before appearing

* Required fields