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Strictly speaking, hay fever (also called seasonal allergic rhinitis) is caused by an allergy to grass or hay pollens. Grass pollen is the most common cause (May to July). However, the term is sometimes used when allergies are caused by other pollens such as from tree pollens (March to May). Symptoms are due to the immune system reacting to the pollen. Cells on the lining of the nose and eyes release histamine and other chemicals when they come in contact with pollen. This causes inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis).

Who gets hay fever?

Hay fever is very common. It often first develops in the teenage years. Symptoms return for a season each year, but it eventually goes away or improves in many cases (often after having had symptoms each season for several years).

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

• Common symptoms are a runny and itchy nose, blocked nose, sneezing, itchy and watery red eyes, and an itchy throat. In some cases only nose symptoms occur, and in some cases only the eye symptoms occur.
• Less common symptoms are loss of smell, face pain, sweats, and headache.
• Asthma symptoms such as wheeze and breathlessness may get worse if you already have asthma. Some people have asthma symptoms only during the hay fever season.

Will it help if I avoid pollen?

It is impossible to totally avoid pollen. However, symptoms tend to be less severe if you reduce your exposure to pollen. The pollen count is often given with TV, radio, internet, or newspaper weather forecasts. The following may help when the pollen count is high.

• Stay indoors as much as possible, and keep windows and doors shut.
• Avoid cutting grass, large grassy places, and camping.
• Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors, especially after going to the countryside.
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses when your are out.
• Keep car windows closed, and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car.

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