Hay Fever

Preventing hay fever

Source: NHS

In this topic (8)

It's very difficult to completely avoid pollen. However, reducing your exposure to the substances that trigger your hay fever should ease your symptoms.

Rubbing a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) inside your lower nostrils can help to prevent pollen from entering your nasal passages.

Staying indoors

If possible, stay indoors when the pollen count is high (over 50). The tips below may help to reduce your exposure to pollen.

  • Keep windows and doors shut in your house. If it gets too warm, draw the curtains to keep out the sun and lower the temperature.
  • Don't keep fresh flowers in the house.
  • Vacuum regularly, ideally using a machine with a high-efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter.
  • Damp dust regularly. Dusting with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one, will collect the dust and stop any pollen being spread around. 
  • Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash them regularly to remove any pollen from their fur.
  • Don't smoke or let other people smoke in your house. Smoking and breathing in other people's smoke will irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways, making your symptoms worse.
  • If possible, avoid drying clothes outside. This will help to stop pollen being brought into your house.

Avoiding pollen outside

If you need to go outside or you're travelling, the tips below may help to reduce your exposure to pollen.

  • Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas and camping particularly in the early morning, evening and at night, when the pollen count is at its highest.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.
  • Take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.
  • Keep car windows closed. You can buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car, which will need to be changed every time the car is serviced.
Allergen
An allergen is a substance, such as pollen, that reacts with the body's immune system and causes an allergic reaction.
Allergy
Allergy is the term used to describe an adverse (bad) reaction that the body has to a particular substance.

Articles for Hay Fever

Causes of hay fever

It's unclear what causes the immune system to react in this way, but there are several factors that can increase your risk of developing hay fever. Risk factors include asthma and a family history of hay fever.

Complications of hay fever

Hay fever can lead to complications such as sinusitis and middle ear infections (otitis media). It can also have a significant impact on your daily activities. In one study, a third of adults with hay fever reported that their symptoms had a considerable negative impact on their work, home and social life.

Diagnosing hay fever

Your GP should be able to diagnose hay fever from a description of your symptoms. In some cases, you may be referred for allergy testing.

Introduction

Rhinitis, also known as Hay fever, is a common allergic condition. Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. There's currently no cure for hay fever, but most people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to a certain extent.

Patient story: "When I first got hay fever, I already had Asthma."

Lisa Miles, from Kent, tried several different treatments before she found the right one for her. She tells how she relieves her hay fever symptoms.

Preventing hay fever

It's very difficult to completely avoid pollen. However, reducing your exposure to the substances that trigger your hay fever should ease your symptoms. Rubbing a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) inside your lower nostrils can help to prevent pollen from entering your nasal passages.

Symptoms of hay fever

Hay fever symptoms vary in severity and may be worse some years, depending on the weather conditions and pollen count. The time of year your symptoms start will depend on the types of pollen you're allergic to. Symptoms include frequent sneezing; a blocked or runny nose; itchy, red or watery eyes; etc.

Treating hay fever

Before going to see your GP, you could visit your pharmacist and try to treat your hay fever symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines. Make an appointment to see your GP if your symptoms don't improve after using antihistamines.