Allergic Rhinitis
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Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis): Symptoms, Causes, Triggers and How to Manage It
A complete guide to seasonal and year-round allergic rhinitis — what it is, why it happens, and how to get relief.
Looking for treatment? Browse our Allergy & Hay Fever treatments.
Key fact: Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) affects around 1 in 4 people in the UK — roughly 16 million people. It is not a cold and it is not contagious; it is an allergic reaction to airborne particles such as pollen, and for most people it can be well controlled with the right combination of self-care and treatment.
Struggling to Control Your Hay Fever?
Access Doctor is a GPhC-registered UK online pharmacy (no. 9011198). Our pharmacist independent prescribers can recommend and prescribe the right hay fever treatment for you following a short online consultation.
Explore Hay Fever Treatments →What Is Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)?
Hay fever is the everyday name for allergic rhinitis — inflammation of the lining of the nose caused by an allergic reaction to airborne particles. When you breathe in an allergen you are sensitive to, your immune system mistakes it for a threat and releases histamine and other chemicals. These cause the nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed, itchy and irritated.
Despite the name, hay fever has nothing to do with hay and does not cause a fever. There are two main types:
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis — triggered by pollen, so symptoms appear at the same times each year (this is what most people mean by hay fever)
- Perennial allergic rhinitis — caused by year-round indoor allergens such as house dust mites, pets or mould, so symptoms can occur in any season
Hay Fever Symptoms
Hay fever often feels like a cold that will not shift. Symptoms usually affect the nose and eyes, and tend to be worse on warm, dry, windy days when more pollen is in the air. The most common symptoms are:
- Frequent sneezing, often in bursts
- A runny nose with clear, watery mucus
- A blocked or congested nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- An itchy nose, throat, mouth or ears
- Loss of smell, headache and sinus pain
- Tiredness and feeling run down (sometimes called “brain fog”)
What does hay fever feel like? Many people describe it as constant nasal irritation with itchy eyes and an urge to sneeze, lasting for weeks rather than days. If your symptoms keep returning at the same time each year, or flare whenever you are outdoors, hay fever is the likely cause.
What Causes Hay Fever? Triggers Explained
Hay fever is caused by your immune system overreacting to harmless airborne substances. The most common triggers in the UK are different types of pollen, but indoor allergens can cause year-round symptoms too.
Grass pollen
The most common trigger, affecting around 95% of hay fever sufferers. Peaks from mid-May to July.
Tree pollen
Released earliest in the year, from late March to mid-May. Birch, oak and plane are common culprits.
Weed pollen
Includes nettle, dock and mugwort. Typically affects people from late June to September.
Indoor allergens
House dust mites, pet dander and mould spores cause perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis.
Why do I suddenly have hay fever as an adult?
You can develop hay fever at any age, even if you have never had it before. Adult-onset hay fever can appear after a house move to an area with different pollen, following changes in your immune system, or simply with repeated exposure over time. There is also a strong genetic link — hay fever, asthma and eczema tend to run in families. This inherited tendency to develop allergies is known as atopy.
Hay Fever or a Cold? How to Tell the Difference
Hay fever and the common cold share many symptoms, but a few key differences help you tell them apart — mainly the speed of onset, how long they last, the presence of itching, and whether you have a fever.
| Feature | Hay fever | Common cold |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Quickly after pollen exposure | Gradually over 1–2 days |
| Duration | Weeks to months while exposed | Usually clears in 1–2 weeks |
| Itchy eyes/nose | Yes — very common | Rare |
| Mucus | Clear and watery | Can be thicker, yellow or green |
| Fever | Never | Sometimes, plus aches |
| Timing | Same time each year / high-pollen days | Any time, especially winter |
Symptoms can also overlap with a sinus infection or a respiratory virus. For a detailed comparison with COVID-19 symptoms, see our guide on hay fever vs coronavirus.
Hay Fever Season in the UK
In the UK, hay fever season generally runs from late March to September. Which months affect you depends on the pollen you are allergic to. Checking the daily pollen count — published by the Met Office during the season — helps you plan ahead and start treatment before symptoms strike.
| Pollen type | Typical UK season | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Tree pollen | Late March – mid-May | People sensitive to birch, oak, plane |
| Grass pollen | Mid-May – July | The majority of hay fever sufferers |
| Weed pollen | Late June – September | People sensitive to nettle, dock, mugwort |
Plan ahead: Pollen counts are usually highest early morning and early evening, and on warm, dry, windy days. Rain clears pollen from the air, so symptoms often ease after a downpour. Starting a preventer treatment 1–2 weeks before your season helps keep symptoms under control.
Who Gets Hay Fever?
Anyone can develop hay fever, but it is more likely if allergies run in your family. Certain groups need particular attention:
Hay fever in children
Hay fever often starts in childhood or the teenage years. In children it can disrupt sleep, concentration and school performance — it has been linked to reduced exam results during peak pollen season. Most hay fever treatments have child-friendly versions, but always check suitability and dosing with a pharmacist or GP.
Hay fever and asthma
Hay fever and asthma are closely connected. Uncontrolled hay fever can worsen asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and breathlessness during pollen season. If you have asthma and notice it flaring in spring or summer, treating your hay fever well can improve your asthma control too.
Hay fever and eczema
Hay fever, asthma and eczema form part of the “atopic march” — a tendency for these allergic conditions to occur together. Pollen season can trigger eczema flare-ups in some people, so managing hay fever may also help settle the skin.
How to Manage Hay Fever
There is no cure for hay fever, but symptoms can usually be controlled well with a combination of self-care and medication. Start with simple measures to reduce your exposure to pollen.
Self-care and home relief
- Stay indoors and keep windows closed when the pollen count is high
- Shower and change your clothes after being outside to wash off pollen
- Apply a barrier balm such as petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes outdoors
- Dry clothes indoors during the season rather than on a washing line
- Avoid grass cutting and large grassy areas when counts peak
Treatment options
If self-care is not enough, several effective treatments are available — many over the counter, and stronger options on prescription:
| Treatment | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Antihistamine tablets | Sneezing, itching, eye symptoms | Non-drowsy options preferred; available OTC and on prescription |
| Steroid nasal sprays | Blocked and runny nose | Most effective for nasal symptoms; some prescription-only |
| Antihistamine eye drops | Itchy, watery eyes | Target eye symptoms directly |
| Combination therapy | Moderate-to-severe hay fever | A nasal spray plus an antihistamine for fuller control |
Many people get the best results by combining a steroid nasal spray with an antihistamine. To understand how these two approaches compare and work together, read our guide on Avamys vs fexofenadine, or learn how to use a steroid spray through the season in our guide to using Avamys for hay fever.
Find the Right Hay Fever Treatment
If pharmacy options are not controlling your symptoms, our pharmacist independent prescribers can assess you online and recommend the most effective treatment — with discreet next-day UK delivery.
View Allergy & Hay Fever Treatments →When to See a Doctor
Most hay fever can be managed with pharmacy treatments, but you should seek advice from a pharmacist, GP or our online prescribers if:
- Your symptoms are not controlled by over-the-counter treatments
- Symptoms are severe and interfering with sleep, work or daily life
- You have asthma and it is getting worse during pollen season
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding and unsure which treatments are safe
- You are buying treatment for a young child and need dosing advice
Seek urgent help if: you develop sudden wheezing, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing or swelling of the lips, face or throat. These are not typical of hay fever and may signal a serious allergic reaction. In a medical emergency, call 999.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hay fever?
Hay fever, known medically as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction that happens when your immune system overreacts to airborne allergens such as pollen. When these particles touch the lining of your nose, eyes and throat, your body releases histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation — producing sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Seasonal hay fever is triggered by pollen, while year-round (perennial) allergic rhinitis is usually caused by indoor allergens like house dust mites or pets.
What does hay fever feel like and what are the symptoms?
Hay fever typically feels like a persistent cold that does not go away while you are exposed to the trigger. The main symptoms are sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red or watery eyes. Many people also have an itchy throat, mouth or ears, a loss of smell, headaches around the sinuses, and tiredness. Unlike a cold, hay fever symptoms can last for weeks or months and are often worse on warm, dry, windy days when pollen counts are high.
What causes hay fever and why do I suddenly have it?
Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens — most commonly grass pollen, but also tree and weed pollen, house dust mites, pet dander and mould spores. You can develop hay fever at any age, even if you have never had it before, because allergies can emerge in adulthood as your immune system changes or after a move to a new area with different pollen. There is also a strong genetic link: hay fever tends to run in families alongside asthma and eczema.
How can I tell if it is hay fever or a cold?
The main clues are timing and itch. Hay fever comes on quickly after pollen exposure, can persist for weeks, causes itchy eyes and nose, produces clear watery mucus, and never causes a fever. A cold develops gradually over a day or two, usually clears within 1 to 2 weeks, rarely causes itching, may produce thicker yellow or green mucus, and can come with a mild fever and aches. If symptoms appear at the same time every year or flare on high-pollen days, hay fever is the likely cause.
When is hay fever season in the UK?
In the UK, hay fever season generally runs from late March to September. Tree pollen is released first, from late March to mid-May. Grass pollen, which affects the most people, peaks from mid-May to July. Weed pollen follows from late June to September. Your personal season depends on which pollen you are allergic to, so tracking the daily pollen count helps you anticipate bad days.
How do I get rid of hay fever symptoms?
There is no cure for hay fever, but symptoms can usually be well controlled. Simple self-care helps: stay indoors when pollen counts are high, keep windows closed, shower and change clothes after being outside, and apply a barrier balm around your nostrils. For medication, antihistamine tablets ease sneezing, itching and eye symptoms, while a steroid nasal spray is the most effective treatment for a blocked or runny nose. Many people with moderate-to-severe hay fever get the best relief by combining both. If over-the-counter options are not enough, a clinician can recommend stronger prescription treatments.
Is hay fever genetic?
Yes, hay fever has a strong hereditary component. If one or both of your parents have hay fever, asthma or eczema, you are more likely to develop allergic conditions yourself. This tendency to develop allergies is called atopy. However, genes are only part of the picture — environmental factors such as pollen exposure, air pollution and where you live also influence whether and when hay fever appears.
Can hay fever affect asthma or eczema?
Yes. Hay fever, asthma and eczema are closely linked as part of what doctors call the atopic march. Uncontrolled hay fever can worsen asthma symptoms such as wheezing and breathlessness during pollen season, and can trigger eczema flare-ups. Treating hay fever well often improves control of these related conditions. If you have asthma and notice it getting worse in spring or summer, it is worth speaking to a clinician about your hay fever treatment.
Once you understand your hay fever, the next step is finding the right relief. Explore your options below, or read our in-depth treatment guides.
Allergy & Hay Fever Treatments
Browse antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and eye drops available from our UK pharmacy.
Explore treatments →Avamys vs Fexofenadine
Steroid nasal spray vs antihistamine tablet — which to choose, and using both together.
Read the guide →References
- NHS. Hay fever — overview, symptoms and treatment. nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary. Allergic rhinitis. 2023. cks.nice.org.uk
- Met Office. Pollen forecast and the UK pollen calendar. metoffice.gov.uk
- Allergy UK. Statistics and figures. allergyuk.org
- GOV.UK / UK Health Security Agency. Hay fever and airborne allergens. gov.uk
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. In a medical emergency, call 999.
