Hay Fever

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Mohamed Imran LakhiContent AdministratorPublished on: 28/02/2019

What is hay fever?

Hayfever is an allergic response to pollen in the air. A person is more likely to be afflicted with the condition between spring and autumn, as this is when the pollen count is at its highest.

Pollen is a particle that, when released by plants during the warmer months, becomes airborne. When someone susceptible to hay fever breathes in these particles, their immune system retaliates as if the harmless pollen were an infection.

Cells release chemicals called histamines in an attempt to rid the body of the invasion. These chemicals can cause the nasal passages to become inflamed and make it difficult to breathe.

There are two main treatments for hayfever:

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids (steroids)

Antihistamines work by preventing the cells from producing histamines, hence the name.

Corticosteroids, on the other hand, work in a slightly different way. Rather than stopping the production of the chemical which causes the inflammation, they prevent the inflammatory response from occurring.

The NHS reports that corticosteroids are a more effective treatment for hay fever than antihistamine tablets.

Despite what the name might suggest, hay fever is not necessarily caused by hay, and fever is unlikely to be a symptom.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Symptoms of hayfever include:

• A runny nose
• Blocked nose
• Coughing
• Decrease in the sense of smell
• Earache
• Headache
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Pain around the temples and forehead
• Sneezing
• Tiredness

While the symptoms of hay fever are similar to those attributed to the common cold, they often last for weeks or months, reoccurring upon further exposure to pollen.

How can hay fever be prevented?

There are many ways hayfever can be prevented or managed, but these are not always possible.

A common recommendation is to rub Vaseline under your nose or around your nostrils to trap pollen.

Limiting your time outside and keeping windows and doors shut while the pollen count is high is an often effective strategy, but not always possible.

If you suffer from hay fever and need to venture outside, check the pollen count, which is often delivered as part of the weather forecast, and take appropriate steps to minimise your exposure to pollen.

You can try wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes or a hat to prevent pollen from getting into your hair and falling down your face.

Showering before bed can wash out the pollen which may have accumulated in your hair.

You can find more information about how you can prevent hay fever on NHS Inform.

What hay fever treatments are available?

Decongestant

Decongestant sprays and eye drops can treat the symptoms of hay fever, such as:

• Murine HAYFEVER
• Optrex HAYFEVER

Antihistamine

Antihistamine tablets are often effective at preventing the release of chemicals which cause the inflammatory response in your nose. While they can provide longer-lasting relief from the symptoms, they can cause drowsiness which can affect your day-to-day activities. Some of these include:

• Fexofenadine
• Allevia
• Piriton

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, often in the form of a nasal spray, can be prescribed for those whose hayfever symptoms are severe or don't respond to other treatments. When taken regularly, corticosteroids can provide the long-lasting prevention of hay fever symptoms, similar to antihistamines. Some of these including:

• Beconase
• Nasobec
• Dymista

Additional resources

Five tips to beat hayfever

How long does hay fever last?

What's the difference between hayfever and a cold