Pollen allergy (hay fever) – symptoms and treatment

Ease your itchy eyes and runny nose with our guide, including medical treatment and self-help tips – whether you’re indoors or out and about.


What are the symptoms?

What are the different types of pollen allergies?

Who is affected by pollen allergy?

How to deal with pollen allergy at home

How a pharmacist can help

When to see a doctor

How is pollen allergy diagnosed?

What’s the treatment from a doctor?

Where to find support

__If you get pollen allergies, the symptoms can ruin both your day and your sleep. Think itchy, swollen eyes, a blocked or runny nose – not to mention the tiredness that often goes with this. Here's what can help.__

Pollen allergy (also called hay fever or ‘seasonal’ allergy) is one of the most common allergic conditions, and can be difficult to control if you don’t have the right treatments for you. 

It happens when your body’s immune system reacts to a substance – an ‘allergen’ – that’s usually harmless to other people. 

Different things can cause this reaction (known as [allergic rhinitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/rhinitis-allergic)), such as dust mites and pets. But in this case it’s an allergy to pollen, which is made by grasses, trees and weeds at certain times of the year. 

Your body’s reaction to pollen triggers the release of the chemical histamine to help you get rid of it. But histamine in your nose, eyes and airways makes them inflamed, bringing on symptoms such as itching and sneezing.

The good news is, pollen allergy (hay fever) can usually be managed and treated with simple lifestyle changes and self-care tips, plus medication from a pharmacist or doctor.


## What are the symptoms?

Pollen allergy (hay fever) symptoms commonly include:

- sneezing and an itchy, runny or blocked nose 
- itchy, red or watering eyes
- [coughing](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/cough)
- an itchy throat or mouth
- [headaches](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/types-of-headache) and a feeling of blocked sinuses
- feeling tired

These symptoms can last for weeks or months – unlike symptoms of a cold, which usually only last a week or 2. 

They’re also more likely when the pollen count (how much pollen is in the air in a 24-hour period) is at its highest.


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## What are the different types of pollen allergies?

You can have an allergy to grass, tree or weed pollen, and more than 1 type of pollen:

- tree pollen – typically released from March until May (although sometimes as early as January) 
- grass pollen – generally released around mid May to July (but could be throughout the year in some areas). Most people have a pollen allergy due to grass 
- weed pollen (from plants such as dock, mugwort and nettles) – usually released from about late June to September. A less common cause of pollen allergy (hay fever).

## Who is affected by pollen allergy?

You might be more likely to have a pollen allergy – or your symptoms might get worse at certain times – if:

- you have [asthma](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/asthma), [eczema](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/eczema-atopic) or other allergies
- a parent, brother or sister has asthma or allergies
- you live in an area of high air pollution
- you exercise outdoors
- you’re pregnant – about a third of women find allergy symptoms are worse during pregnancy. Read more about [hay fever in pregnancy](https://www.livehealthily.com/self-care/hay-fever-pregnancy).

## How to deal with pollen allergy at home

Pollen allergy (hay fever) symptoms can really affect everyday life. But following these self-care tips can help. 

Inside, try to:

- keep windows and doors shut when possible – especially when the pollen count is high
- dust with a damp cloth, rather than a dry one to help stop the pollen spread around your home
- wash bedding and blankets regularly to remove any pollen build-up
- dry washing inside to stop pollen being brought indoors on your laundry.

Outside, try:

- putting petroleum jelly around your nostrils to stop pollen getting into your nose
- wearing wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen 
- showering and changing your clothes when you get home to remove any pollen
- checking the pollen forecast before you go out – and adjusting your activities if it’s high.

Read more about [natural ways to manage hay fever](https://www.livehealthily.com/hay-fever/the-best-hay-fever-treatments-to-try-this-summer).


## How a pharmacist can help

Your pharmacist can give treatment advice for symptoms of pollen allergy. Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before taking medication if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or you have a medical condition. 

Treatment may include the following:

- [antihistamines](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/drugs/antihistamines) reduce symptoms by blocking the action of the histamine your body releases when you come into contact with pollen 
- nasal decongestant sprays to help relieve a blocked nose – don’t use them for longer than a week.
- [steroid nasal sprays](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/drugs/steroid-nasal-sprays) can reduce inflammation in your nose and work best if you start using them a few weeks before symptoms start (ie the start of the grass pollen season)
- eye drops – these can help with eye symptoms such as redness, itchiness and watering (allergic [conjunctivitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/eye-redness/conjunctivitis-infective)).


## When to see a doctor

If you’ve tried self-care and pharmacy treatments for pollen allergy (hay fever) symptoms, and they haven’t helped then see your doctor. 

They can check that it’s definitely pollen allergy that’s causing your symptoms, and prescribe other treatments if needed.

## How is pollen allergy diagnosed?

A description of your symptoms and what seems to trigger them is usually enough information to diagnose a pollen allergy. 

Before your appointment, try keeping a diary of your symptoms and when they appear. 

You may also be asked about chest symptoms – such as wheezing – or other allergies or health conditions. 

If allergy tests are needed, you may have a:

- __skin prick test__ – a pollen allergen is put on the skin of your arm,  then your skin’s surface is pricked with a small needle to check for an allergic reaction 
- __blood test__ – a blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm and tested for an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) – if you have a pollen allergy your body makes this when it comes into contact with pollen.

## What’s the treatment from a doctor?

If your doctor diagnoses pollen allergy (hay fever), they may prescribe treatments such as antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, eye drops or [steroid tablets](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/drugs/steroid-tablets) for your specific case. 

For example, stronger medications if your symptoms don’t improve with pharmacy treatments, or you need a certain antihistamine because you have a medical condition, you’re pregnant, or take medication that could interact.

If you’re referred to an allergy specialist for pollen allergy, they may suggest:

- __montelukast__ – if you have asthma as well as pollen allergy, you might be given this medicine to take as a tablet once a day. It helps prevent the inflammation that causes your airways to narrow
- __immunotherapy__ – if your allergy is severe and other treatments haven’t worked. It involves injections or tablets that contain slowly increasing doses of pollen, to help reduce your reaction to it. Read more about [immunotherapy for allergies.](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/treatments/immunotherapy-allergies)


## Where to find support

Connect with others experiencing similar symptoms by joining  support groups such as the [Allergy Support Hub](https://allergysupporthub.com.au/who-we-are/); plus find more useful information on allergies at the [Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ](https://aafa.org/about-aafa/aafa-affiliated-asthma-allergy-support-groups/)and [Allergy UK.](https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/allergic-rhinitis-and-hay-fever-fact-sheet/)


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References

Jo Wheatley

Dr Roger Henderson

Susie Parker

Dr Tamer T Malak

Dr Adiele Hoffman

Dr Ann Nainan

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Ease your itchy eyes and runny nose with our guide, including medical treatment and self-help tips – whether you’re indoors or out and about.