Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Pollen is a fine powder from plants. If affects children and teenagers more than adults.
Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions. It’s estimated that there are more than 10 million people with hay fever in England.
It usually occurs from late March to September, especially May-July. Its worse when it’s warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
When you have hay fever, your immune system identifies a harmless airborne substance (like pollen) as being harmful. This substance is called an allergen. Your immune system is how your body protects itself, so it produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to protect against this allergen.
The next time you come in contact with the allergen, these antibodies cause your immune system to release chemicals such as histamine into your bloodstream. This causes a reaction that leads to the symptoms of hay fever.
Hay fever can give you red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes like this. But there are other causes like conjunctivitis (red or pink eye). If they persist, see your GP.
Hay fever symptoms are similar to viral infections like colds, flu and COVID-19. More on them on MyHSN here.
Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.
There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it. For many people it is mild and it does not need any treatment.
But you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
Do’s
Don’ts
Speak to your pharmacist if you have hay fever. You do not need to see a doctor.
They can give advice and suggest the best treatments, like antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays to help with:
We have described when should I see a doctor about hay fever. A pharmacist can help first.