Your Complete Guide To Hay Fever

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that affects many people, especially during certain times of the yea in the UK. Here’s how to know if you’re dealing with hay fever, when it’s most prevalent in the UK, and how you can manage it effectively.

What Is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, the fine powder released by plants. When pollen comes into contact with the mouth, nose, eyes, or throat, it can trigger an immune response in some individuals. This reaction leads to the various symptoms associated with hay fever.
While the symptoms of hay fever can vary from person to person they commonly include:

• Sneezing and coughing
• A runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red, or watery eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose, and ears
• Loss of smell
• Pain around the sides of the head and forehead
• Headache
• Feeling tired

Unlike a cold, which usually goes away after a week or two, hay fever can last for weeks or even months. This is one of the ways you can determine if you’re dealing with hay fever or something like a cold or sinusitis.

When Is Hay Fever Most Prevalent in the UK?

In the UK, hay fever symptoms are typically worse between late March and September. This period coincides with higher pollen counts, especially when the weather is warm, humid, and windy. Different types of pollen are prevalent at different times:

Tree pollen: Late March to mid-May
Grass pollen: Mid-May to July
Weed pollen: End of June to September

Being aware of these periods can help sufferers anticipate and manage their symptoms more effectively. To help determine which pollen could be causing your symptoms, we recommend keeping a symptom log. Note down the time and date when your symptoms were severe and what you were doing that day. With this information we can put together a fuller picture of how best to help you manage your symptoms.

How to Reduce Your Hay Fever Symptoms

While there’s currently no cure for hay fever, several strategies can help alleviate symptoms. Using a combination of these when pollen counts are at their highest can help change your day from uncomfortable and difficult, to being able to enjoy spring and summer.

General Tips to Limit Pollen Exposure

Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible whether you’re at home or in the car.

Stay indoors on high pollen count days, especially during early mornings and evenings when counts are highest. You can always check the daily pollen count using The Met Office pollen forecast.

Avoid drying clothes outside to prevent pollen from clinging to them, only dry clothes outside on low pollen count days if you can.

Shower and change clothes after being outdoors to remove pollen residue.

Tips To Protect Yourself Outdoors From Pollen

Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen. There are specific products you can buy that trap pollen around your nose but Vaseline will work fine.

Wear wrap around sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes.

You could also try wearing a wide-brimmed hat to keep pollen away from your face but being outside your exposure is going to be higher no matter what you do.

How To Reduce Pollen At Home

Hoover regularly and dust with a damp cloth to reduce indoor pollen and prevent it settling into soft furnishings and carpets.

Use pollen filters in air vents and a HEPA filter in your hoover if you can. There are also air purifiers you can buy that remove some allergens from the air, these can be a worthwhile investment in if your symptoms are severe every year.

Hay Fever Medications

Over-the-counter antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays, or eye drops can help relieve symptoms. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so opt for non-drowsy versions if needed. If you’re not sure which ones will be best for you and your needs speak to our pharmacy team. We’ll find the right hay fever treatment for you.

If your hay fever symptoms are very severe or significantly reduce your ability to go about your day to day life, it’s always a good idea to consult your GP.

Hay Fever Treatment in Sutton

If you suffer from hay fever and live in Sutton, you can visit Gaiger Pharmacy for personalised advice, over-the-counter remedies tailored to your symptoms.

If you don’t like taking tablets, or want to put Vaseline around your nose we can still find a solution for you that works so you can get back to enjoying summer. Visit our pharmacy at a time to suit you and get the help you need to manage your hay fever.