About hayfever
Hayfever can sometimes seem unpredictable, and you may experience a different severity of symptoms at different times of the year. Although you probably know all too well what hayfever does, do you know what it is?
By understanding more about hayfever and how it impacts your body, you’ll be able to manage it effectively so you can enjoy sunny days – even when the pollen count is high.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is known as hayfever, an allergy to pollen, because it's quite common to experience hayfever mainly in the spring and summer months. Allevia can be used for allergic rhinitis - which includes other airborne allergies like pet dander, dust mites and mould allergies as well as pollen allergies.
Pollen is a fine powder released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can cause the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become swollen.
There are around 30 different types of pollen, but more common ones are:
- Tree pollen
- Grass pollen
- Weed pollen
Allevia 120 mg tablets contains fexofenadine. For the symptomatic relief of allergic rhinitis. Always read the label.
To learn more about hayfever from an expert, keep reading.
To understand a little more about allergies such as hayfever, Dr Glenis Scadding, Honorary Consultant Allergist and Rhinologist at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London and Honorary Associate Professor at University College London, explained in an interview that allergy symptoms are generated by the body’s immune system reacting to allergens, like pollen. Dr Glenis Scadding does not endorse any medicinal brand or product.
Dr Scadding explains: “Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis, also called hayfever, is a misplaced immune reaction to harmless pollen molecules in which the body treats them as though they were foreign pathogens and releases substances, including histamine, designed to eliminate them. This leads to inflammation in the lining of the nose.”
The condition, which causes significant discomfort to sufferers, is the allergic reaction to pollen when it comes into contact with the mouth, nose, eyes and throat.1
Hayfever has become increasingly prevalent since the 19th Century, according to Dr Scadding. “Having been a rare disease of the upper classes two hundred years ago, hayfever now affects around a quarter of the European population. The reasons for its increased prevalence appear to be both genetic and environmental. The latter probably relate mainly to the microbiome and its effects upon the direction of immunity, but atmospheric pollution may also be relevant.”
Environmental factors are impacting on hayfever levels, says Dr Scadding. “Climate change is also making changes: lengthening pollen seasons and altering pollen distribution. For example, ragweed, a major USA pollen problem, is now beginning to appear in the south of the UK.”
For those living with “troublesome” hayfever symptoms there are “a bewildering variety of medications”, reports Dr Scadding.
“Initial treatment of hayfever is usually by antihistamines. These are available as tablets, liquid medicine, eye drops or nasal spray. Oral antihistamines have been available over the counter for many years and so are known and trusted by many hayfever patients. For many people it is easier to take a tablet than to use a nasal spray.
Tablets usually take at least an hour to become effective but do work on histamine-related symptoms throughout the body. Oral antihistamines reduce running, itching and sneezing but have little effect on nasal congestion.”
Dr Scadding adds: “Second-generation antihistamines, which are also referred as non-sedating antihistamines in contrast to first-generation, are available over the counter: cetirizine, loratadine, acrivastine, and recently, fexofenadine. These are all effective in clinical trials.”
Hayfever sufferers can also benefit from combining an intranasal antihistamine spray with a steroid nasal spray. “Patients can use those as two separate sprays or as a ‘two in one’ spray, but this should be prescribed by doctor,” advises Dr Scadding.
“For conditions which do not respond to treatments with products available over the counter, then sufferers should speak with a doctor who may be able to prescribe a treatment in line with condition.”
There is currently no cure for hayfever and you cannot prevent it.2 But understanding the options available and their impact can ensure sufferers enjoy the warmer months despite the high pollen count.
In this page you will find information about
Symptoms of hayfever
Hayfever symptoms are often very similar to a cold, but there are some important differences.
Hayfever symptoms can last for weeks or months, while a cold will usually clear up within two weeks.
Hayfever symptoms 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 your temples and forehead
- headache
- earache
- feeling tired
Hayfever symptoms can get in the way of the things we enjoy. If you are unsure whether or not you have hayfever, speak to your GP for advice and a diagnosis.
To learn more about hayfever from an expert, keep reading.
The arrival of spring and then summer generally brings a mood of optimism but for hayfever sufferers it marks the start of sneezing, itchy eyes and running noses. Dr Glenis Scadding does not endorse any medicinal brand or product.
Warmer weather increases the discomfort of those affected by hayfever, who feel the effects of the rapid rise in the pollen count. Hayfever is the allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with the mouth, nose, eyes and throat.
Hayfever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.3
Dr Glenis Scadding, Honorary Consultant Allergist and Rhinologist at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London and Honorary Associate Professor at University College London, says the nose and eyes bear the brunt of the impact of hayfever.
“Many sufferers also experience eye symptoms of itching, watering and redness. The nose and upper airways can be affected with cough, chest tightness, wheezing and itching, as well as swelling in the mouth with certain fruits and vegetables, or sinus and ear problems. Nasal congestion is often the most bothersome symptom!”
“New sufferers can identify hayfever as being the cause of their symptoms over other potential allergies by comparing their discomfort to the timings of high pollen levels,” explains Dr Scadding.
“Diagnosis of hayfever is largely made on the history with symptoms occurring just after pollen counts peak. Confirmation is by demonstration of the allergy antibody IgE against the particular pollen(s). However, the body’s tendency to make IgE against common environmental allergens, called atopy, means that many patients suffering from hayfever will go on to develop other allergies, such as perennial rhinitis or asthma.”
There are also clear differences with a cold, says Dr Scadding. “The major differentiating points are the itching and eye symptoms, both are rare in Common Cold infections and the lack of pain in the throat, which is commonly seen in colds,” she adds.
Hayfever will commonly last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes on within two weeks. There is currently no cure for hayfever and you cannot prevent it.4 You are also advised to speak to a pharmacist about treatments or, in more severe cases, contact your GP.
Hayfever Tips
There are some things you can do to help manage your hayfever:
- Use wrap around glasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes
- Change your clothes and shower after a long day outside to wash the pollen off
- Close the doors and windows to stop pollen getting inside
- Avoid cutting the grass
- Don’t keep fresh flowers inside the house
- Do not dry clothes outside
To learn more about hayfever from an expert, keep reading.
For tips on coping with hayfever, Dr Glenis Scadding, Honorary Consultant Allergist and Rhinologist at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in London and Honorary Associate Professor at University College London, explained in an interview about practical ways for sufferers to prepare. Dr Glenis Scadding does not endorse any medicinal brand or product.
Hayfever can have a significant effect on a sufferer’s life with the impact felt by society as a whole, explained Dr Scadding. “Hayfever sufferers often feel tired and run down, probably related to poor quality of sleep.
Anticipating the important times can be effective, says Dr Scadding. “Think about your hayfever before it starts. Keep a diary of when your symptoms happen and next year start treating yourself before that pollen level rises. In the UK grass pollen levels are usually high around the end of June.”
Sufferers can make lifestyle changes to manage hayfever, explains Dr Scadding. “The first thing for all hayfever patients is to avoid trigger factors as much as possible. That includes allergens to which they are sensitive and pollution such as tobacco smoke, diesel exhaust, etc, which worsen allergies.
“Methods include timing of outdoor living and holidays, masks, nasal filters, preventer nasal sprays which coat the nose and saline nasal spray to wash out any allergen or pollutant. This is applicable to all ages, including pregnant women, and reduces symptoms and the need for other medications.”
Nasal saline irrigation, also known as douching, can be performed using a saline nasal spray or wash which are available from pharmacies or created at home, says Dr Scadding. “Regular daily or twice daily use can be supplemented by additional nasal douching after allergen exposure to prevent the ensuing allergic reaction. If extra sodium is a problem, such as in hypertensive or pregnant patients, then the saline which goes down the back of the nose can be spat out rather than swallowed.”
There are steps which can be taken to ease the effects of hayfever on your eyes, explains Dr Scadding. “Eye symptoms arise partly from nerve reflexes in the inflamed nose and steroid nasal sprays, particularly the most modern molecules, reduce eye symptoms as well. Washing allergen out of the eyes by sterile saline is also helpful. If still problematic, then topical treatment with eye drops can also be used.”
Dr Scadding outlined other practical steps which hayfever sufferers can undertake. “Mask wearing is very important to reduce COVID spread, which can be extensive after a sneeze, so is preferable to intranasal blockers like balms or petroleum jelly which could be used additionally,” she said.
“Wrap- around sunglasses help to reduce eye exposure to pollens. Alcohol can worsen hayfever symptoms so is best avoided.”
Using steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines early on in the hayfever season can bring benefits, says Dr Scadding. “There is evidence that early treatment with steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines helps to delay the onset of symptoms and helps to keep them down.
“The inflammatory response to pollen or irritants occurs before symptoms are noticed and once started tends to increase rapidly as activated cells move into the linings of the nose and eyes, release chemical mediators and pull in more cells. If this can be put off for a while and is then kept under control by regular treatment it does not become as severe as if treatment is left until symptoms are obvious.”
Regular treatment regardless of the pollen count will make a significant difference, explains Dr Scadding. “Regular treatment is more effective than as needed. Antihistamines act by calming the histamine receptor, when stopped its activity bounces back. Steroid nasal sprays also work better if used every day, even if the pollen count is low.”
References
- ‘What causes hay fever?’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/?dm_i=3IW9,E2GC,2ZRV5F,1HCPP,1 Accessed on 18.12.2023
- ‘How to treat hay fever yourself’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/ Accessed on 18.12.2023
- ‘Hay fever’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/ Accessed on 18.12.2023
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