HAYFEVER – Information for Patients

What is it?

Hayfever is a common allergic condition affectingone in five people in the UK. It often runs in families, and is also related to asthma and eczema.

What symptoms does it cause?

Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, a runny, itchy or blocked nose and red, watery, itchy eyes. These occur when the immune system reacts to pollen producing inflammation in the nose and eyes. Different pollens are present at different times of the year so the time that you are affected depends on the pollen to which you are allergic.

How can I prevent the symptoms?

There are several things you can do to lessen symptoms by avoiding contact with pollen:

  • In the summer stay inside between 5 and 7pm, when pollen counts are usually high.
  • Keep windows and doors closed, especially at these times and when sleeping.
  • Damp dust and vacuum your home regularly, to minimise the presence of pollen.
  • Be aware of the pollen count (usually broadcast along with the weather), and avoid areas of high pollen concentration, eg long grass, lawn mowing, trees. If you need to work in these environments consider wearing a mask and goggles.
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses when you are out.
  • Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors, especially in the countryside.
  • Keep car windows closed and consider buying a pollen filter for the car air vents.

What can I do to relieve the symptoms?

There is currently no cure for hayfever but most people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to some extent. In an ideal world, the most effective way to control hayfever is to avoid exposure to pollen. However, this can be very difficult, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend more time outdoors.

Most hayfever symptoms can be controlled using over-the-counter medications available from your pharmacist. These include:

Antihistamines egcetirizine and loratidine

These can be taken daily or as required for mild or intermittent symptoms and work by blocking the action of histamine, one of the chemicals involved in allergic reactions.

Steroid nose sprays egbeclometasone or budesonide nasal spray

When used regularly these help to reduce levels of inflammation and swelling in the nose and eyes and so control symptoms. They work even better if started a few weeks before the onset of the hayfever season. They can be taken alongside antihistamine tablets and allergy eye drops if necessary.

Eye drops for hayfever eg sodium cromoglicate eye drops

These can help to relieve the eye symptoms, although often antihistamines and steroid nose sprays will do this effectively on their own.

If your symptoms are troublesome despite the above treatments it’s worth speaking to your GP as you may require some alternative treatment.

For more detailed information about hayfever and to access a range of other patient information leaflets about common conditions have a look at the website