Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition caused by pollen from grass, trees, or weeds. Pollen is an allergen that is usually harmless but can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Even though the symptoms of hay fever are similar to viral flu – the condition is not caused by a virus. Hay fever is the result of an allergic response by your body towards substances like pollen, dust mites, pet hair, etc. Substances that don’t trigger a similar reaction in other people.

Hay fever is caused when your body develops allergic antibodies to pollen. Pollen is a fine dust-like substance released by plants in some seasons. In the UK, most people with allergic rhinitis have been identified as allergic to grass pollen. Such people mostly experience hay fever symptoms in the summer months.

When pollen particles come in contact with your nose, mouth, or throat – your body’s immune system triggers an allergic reaction with swelling, irritation, and inflammation.

Some of the most common hay fever symptoms include – 

• Runny or itchy nose

• Hay fever itchy eyes

• Watery eyes

• Redness in the eyes

• Sneezing

• Blocked nose

• Headache due to stuffy nose

Usually, hay fever or allergic rhinitis symptoms are not serious, but persistent symptoms of hay fever may impact your life negatively. A lot of patients experience fatigue due to restless sleep, irritability, and reduced ability to concentrate at work during hay fever season. Hay fever in children appears only after 3 years of age. Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms in children are similar to adults. However, if the condition persists, it can lead to reduced cognitive ability and low energy in children.

Even though hay fever or allergic rhinitis does not have any serious symptoms and is not life-threatening, but if untreated, it can cause various problems. 

• Sinusitis – An extended sinus congestion due to hay fever can make you vulnerable to an inflammation or infection in the membrane lining the sinuses, a condition known as sinusitis.

• Worsens Asthma – If you have asthma, hay fever can exacerbate the condition and cause severe coughing and wheezing.

• Ear Infection – This is a complication commonly seen among children with hay fever. Continued allergic rhinitis can cause an infection known as Otitis Media or middle ear infection.

• Disturbs quality of life – Hay fever reduces your productivity and concentration. It may make you miss a day of work or school, or it may interfere with the enjoyment of your favourite outdoor activities.

• Reduces sleep quality – Hay fever can make it difficult for you to fall asleep, or may not allow you to get a good night’s sleep. This can make you tired, irritable, or give you a general feeling of being unwell.

There are a few conditions that make you susceptible to developing allergic rhinitis. 

• Having other allergies or asthma

• Having eczema also known as atopic dermatitis

• Heredity – if you have a parent or sibling with hay fever, asthma or allergies

• Occupation – if your work exposes you to allergens daily for an extended period

As on date, there is no hay fever cure. However, there are many over the counter medications that you can take to manage the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Here is a look at the different hay fever treatments recommended – 

• Avoidance of Allergens: When it comes to allergic rhinitis, prevention is better than cure. Keep an eye on the daily pollen levels in the atmosphere. This information is readily available on the internet. On days when the pollen levels are high, avoid going outdoors. Travel to work in a closed vehicle and skip all outdoor activities. Take preventive medication as prescribed by your doctor.

• Medications: There are various over the counter medications that help reduce the symptoms of hay fever. MedsNow’s online pharmacy offers a wide range of hay fever medicines. Some of the recommended hay fever medications include: 

• Promethazine

• Fexofenadine

• Telfast

• Piriton Allergy Tablets

• Cetirizine

• LoratadineLevocetirizine

• Desloratadine

• EpiPen

• BeconaseHayfever Relief

• Avamys

• Rhinolast Nasal Spray

• Sterimar Breathe Easy Isotonic Nasal Hygiene Spray

• PirinaseHayfever Relief Spray 0.05%

• Vicks Sinex

• Micro mist 15ml

• Dymista Nasal

• Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray

• Optilast Eye Drops

• Breathe Right Nasal Strips Original

• Antihistamine Sprays or Tablets: For mild hay fever, antihistamine sprays and hay fever tablets are the most well-known medication. However, there is a wide variety of antihistamine medications available for treating allergies in the market. Consult a doctor online on Meds Now to make sure you understand which antihistamine medication suits your needs.

Newer antihistamine medications are less likely to make you drowsy or tired. It is advisable to avoid alcohol when taking allergy medications.

• Eye Drops: If you have hay fever eyes, i.e. the pollen allergy is making your eyes watery or itchy, using eye drops can help. Choose from a variety of eye drops for hay fever, including sodium cromoglicate drops available on Meds Now. These can be bought without a prescription. Other recommended eye drops include lodoxamide, nedocromil, and antihistamine drops.

• Nasal corticosteroids: Hay fever nasal sprays are a common method of treatment for hay fever. If you have a blocked nose due to prolonged allergic rhinitis, you should use a corticosteroid nasal spray, such as beclometasone or fluticasone. Some of these sprays are only available with a prescription, and can easily be ordered from Meds Now. 

• Oral corticosteroids: In cases of severe allergic rhinitis, doctors can prescribe oral corticosteroids, also known as corticosteroid tablets. Usually, these medicines are prescribed for a short period. Prolonged use of these medicines may cause side effects.

• Immunotherapy: This is a hay fever treatment that is known to result in long term relief for patients with severe hay fever symptoms. The treatment works to desensitize your immunity system to pollen or other allergens which trigger hay fever. The medication is given in the form of allergy shots or sublingual drops by the doctor.

• Alternative therapies: Various alternative therapies, including acupressure and acupuncture, claim to treat allergic rhinitis. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove it. If you are pregnant and dealing with hay fever, consult your doctor before opting for any medication.

1. Can you develop hay fever as an adult?

Mostly, people develop hay fever in their childhood or their teenage years. However, you may experience hay fever symptoms for the first time in your adulthood. This happens if you have been brought in contact with an allergen to which you have not been exposed before. It could be due to the following reasons – 

• You have moved to live in a new location

• You have changed your job

• You have a new pet

It is also possible that your allergic rhinitis has not been diagnosed before or had been misdiagnosed as a common cold or sinus. Another possibility is a general rise in hay fever cases in your area due to environmental changes.

2. What is winter hay fever?

If you are experiencing hay fever symptoms in winter, it could be due to exposure to other allergens such as dust mites and mould.

3. Is allergic rhinitis contagious?

No. Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is caused by a response from your immune system to allergens. A virus or bacteria do not cause this; therefore, it is not contagious.

4. When is the Hay fever season in the UK?

In the UK, there are three kinds of pollen that affect people with allergic rhinitis. Their seasons are:

• Tree Pollen: March to Mid-May

• Grass Pollen: Mid-May to July

• Weed Pollen: June to September

It has been observed that urban areas have lower pollen levels as compared to the countryside. Also, north of the UK, the hay fever season is shorter than other parts of the country. The weather conditions daily also influence the pollen count in the air.

5. Why do hay fever symptoms get worse at night?

Allergens are causing hay fever such as pollen increase in the count during early evening and morning. This can worsen your allergic rhinitis symptoms at night.

6. Can pollen allergies cause fever?

Pollen allergies such as allergic rhinitis do not cause fever. Fever is not a symptom of hay fever.

7. Is hay fever a medical condition?

Yes. Hay fever is a medical condition that can be treated with the help of medicines.

8. What triggers hay fever?

Hay fever is triggered by allergens in the air, such as pollen from grass, trees, or weeds.

9. What is the best way to prevent hay fever?

Hay fever can be prevented with the help of allergy medications that are taken before the symptoms start. It can also be prevented by keeping an eye on the pollen count and avoiding outdoor activity on days with high pollen count.