Dr Nitil Kedia, Private GP at Pinehill Hospital discusses hay fever, when does it happen, what are the symptoms and treatments available from your pharmacy and when to book to see a private GP.
Every year, millions of people across the UK start to dread stepping outside as the flowers begin to bloom. If you're one of them, here's what's actually going on — and what you can do about it.
Hay fever affects around 1 in 5 people in the UK. Medically it's called allergic rhinitis, but whatever you call it, the cause is the same: your immune system overreacts to pollen, treating it as a threat and releasing chemicals that cause all those frustrating symptoms. It isn't a cold, and you can't catch it from anyone else.
When does it happen?
Hay fever season in the UK typically runs from late March through to September, though symptoms depend on which type of pollen triggers your allergy.
Late March – May
Tree pollen - Birch, oak, ash
May - July
Grass pollen is the most common trigger/p>
June - September
Weed pollen, nettles, plantain
Symptoms are usually worst on warm, dry, and windy days — especially in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are at their highest. Rainy days tend to bring some relief, as rain washes pollen from the air.
What are the symptoms?
Hay fever can feel different from person to person, but the most common ones include:
- Sneezing, often in hard-to-stop bouts
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth roof, or ears
- Fuzzy head or feeling "bunged up"
- Tiredness and low energy
- People who also have asthma may find their breathing worsens during pollen season, with more coughing or wheezing than usua
There's a lot you can do before reaching for any medicine.
- Check the pollen forecast daily — the Met Office website and most weather apps show this
- Keep windows and doors shut on high pollen days, especially morning and evening
- Shower and change clothes when you come in — pollen clings to hair and fabric
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to protect your eyes
- Avoid drying washing outside on high pollen days
- Don't cut or walk on freshly cut grass if you can help it
- A small amount of Vaseline just inside your nostrils can help trap pollen before it enters
Treatments from your pharmacy
Most hay fever treatments are available without a prescription. Your pharmacist is an excellent first port of call and can advise on what suits you best: Antihistamine tabletsThe backbone of hay fever treatment. Newer, non-drowsy options — cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine — can be taken daily throughout the season. Older antihistamines like chlorphenamine cause drowsiness and aren't recommended for daytime use.
Antihistamine eye drops
Particularly helpful if itchy, watery eyes are your main problem.
Steroid nasal sprays
Very safe and highly effective for a blocked or runny nose. These work directly in the nose and are not the same as the steroids you may have heard concerns about elsewhere. Brands like Beconase and Pirinase are available over the counter. They work best when started 1–2 weeks before your symptoms usually begin.
Nasal decongestant sprays
Good for short-term relief of a blocked nose, but use them for a maximum of one week only — longer use can actually make congestion worse over time.
The combination of a daily non-drowsy antihistamine tablet and a regular steroid nasal spray works better than either treatment alone. If you've only ever tried one or the other, it's worth giving both a go together before concluding that nothing works for you.
When should you see your GP?
Most people can manage hay fever well with pharmacy treatments and self-care. But please do book an appointment if any of the following apply to you:
- Your symptoms are severely affecting your sleep, work, or daily life despite trying pharmacy treatments
- Over-the-counter treatments haven't helped after using them properly for at least 2–4 weeks
- Your symptoms are present all year round — this may suggest a dust mite or pet allergy needing a different approach
- You also have asthma, and your breathing worsens during pollen season
- Your eyes are very red, painful, or your vision is affected
- You develop a fever, one-sided face pain, or thick green/yellow nasal discharge — this may be a sinus infection
- You are pregnant — some treatments are not suitable in pregnancy, so check with us first
If your hay fever is very difficult to control, I can refer you to a specialist for immunotherapy — a treatment that gradually trains your immune system to stop overreacting to pollen, offering long-term relief for people with severe symptoms.
Hay fever might seem like a minor nuisance, but for many of my patients it causes real misery for months at a time. Please don't just put up with it.
For more information or to make an appointment with our Private GP Team, please call 01462 427 227 or contact us.