Hay Fever: Symptoms, Treatment and Tips for Managing Your Allergies

As warmer weather brings people outdoors to enjoy parks, gardens and countryside walks, millions are preparing for a less welcome seasonal visitor: hay fever. Dr Maria Markides, Private GP at Renacres Hospital, explains how to recognise the symptoms, reduce exposure to pollen and manage hay fever effectively throughout the season.

 

Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, hay fever affects around one in four people in the UK. Triggered by pollen released from trees, grasses and weeds, the condition can turn sunny days into a miserable experience for sufferers.

 

Symptoms typically include sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy eyes, throat irritation and fatigue. For some, symptoms can be severe enough to affect sleep, concentration and day-to-day activities.

 

• Checking daily pollen forecasts can help sufferers plan outdoor activities and avoid periods when pollen counts are particularly high.
• On days with high pollen levels,  keep windows and doors closed, particularly during the early morning and evening when pollen counts are often at their highest.
• Investing in an appropriately sized HEPA filter can reduce the circulating pollen in your room.
• When outdoors, wearing wraparound sunglasses can help protect the eyes from airborne pollen.
• Vaseline or ‘first defence gel’ placed just inside your nostrils can be a barrier preventing pollen entering your nose.
• Changing clothes and showering after spending time outside can also remove pollen that has settled on the skin and hair. Many people are unaware that pollen can be carried indoors on clothing, pets and even laundry.
• Drying clothes indoors during peak pollen season may help reduce exposure. Pollen levels are usually highest on warm, dry and windy days. By contrast, rain can temporarily clear pollen from the air, making conditions more comfortable for allergy sufferers.
• Gardening, mowing the lawn and walking through grassy areas can all increase exposure. If these activities are unavoidable, wearing a face covering and washing thoroughly afterwards may help minimise symptoms. 

Dr Markides advises beginning hay fever treatment before symptoms become severe. Antihistamine tablets can help reduce sneezing, itching and runny noses, while steroid nasal sprays are often effective for persistent symptoms and nasal congestion. Eye drops can also provide relief for itchy, watery eyes.

Most of these treatments can be bought over the counter without a prescription. 

When to Seek Medical Advice  

Patients whose symptoms persist despite over-the-counter treatments should seek medical advice.

Guidance suggests that a short course of oral steroid tablets can be prescribed for severe hay fever, but their use is not without side effects and patients need to be fully counselled.

The ‘hay fever injection’, which is a high dose steroid is not recommended by NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) and is no longer available on the NHS. This is due to its potential side effects of raising the risk of diabetes, mood disturbances, increased risks of infection and osteoporosis.

In exceptional circumstances Dr Markides is able to prescribe and administer this treatment ‘off-licence’ after fully counselling her patient.

Need to Speak to a GP?

If you have concerns about your health during periods of hot weather, or would like medical advice on managing a condition safely, Ramsay Health Care's Private GP service offers fast and convenient access to experienced doctors across the UK, face to face and virtually.

With appointments available when you need them, longer consultation times and quick access to referrals, diagnostic tests and specialist care, our Private GPs can help you take control of your health with personalised advice and support.

Find out more about Ramsay Health Care's Private GP service or book an appointment today.