How To Tell If You Have Hay Fever

The start of spring is always a wonderful time of year, with the return of warmer weather bringing a smile to all our faces. But, unfortunately, the merry month of March also means that hay fever may start staging a comeback, as well – and it can be quite debilitating for those who suffer from it.

Symptoms (sneezing, eye redness, blocked nose, headache, itchy or watery eyes, and a runny or itchy nose) are typically worse between late March and September, with pollen counts rising in line with warmer and more humid conditions, but there is a lot you can do to help manage your hay fever when it manifests itself.

The majority of people develop hay fever during childhood or when they’re a teenager, but it’s possible for it to develop during adulthood. This could be because you’ve been exposed to an allergen you’ve never come across before, perhaps because you’ve relocated, have a new pet or have changed your job.

It is also important to understand the difference between the symptoms for hay fever and those of covid, as they can overlap. If you have a new cough, have lost your sense of taste or smell, or have a fever make sure you self-isolate, as these could be signs of coronavirus.

Unfortunately, you can’t prevent hay fever if you are susceptible and attacks can last for weeks or months, but there are steps you can take to ease your symptoms if the pollen count gets too high.

Wearing sunglasses, for example, can help prevent pollen from getting in your eyes. At home, you can help keep your symptoms under control by cleaning the house regularly and keeping doors and windows shut as much as you can.

Not going out when the pollen count is high can also be beneficial and, if you have been out and about, shower and change when you get home to wash off any lingering pollen.

Preventative action could also include not drying your clothes outside, not cutting or walking on grass and not keeping any fresh flowers in the house.

From a medication perspective, there are various hayfever and allergy relief treatments available that can be taken to reduce your symptoms. Antihistamine sprays and tablets are among the most common forms of treatment for hay fever, while nasal sprays can provide immediate relief from the blocked nose associated with prolonged allergic rhinitis.

Some hay fever medication is only available on prescription, although you can order them online after completing a confidential online consultation with a certified prescriber.

Immunotherapy is another treatment option that could provide relief for those suffering with severe hay fever symptoms. This works by desensitising the immune system to pollen and other such allergens that trigger your symptoms, administered in the form of sublingual drops or allergy shots.