Hay fever

Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen.

Hay fever affects 10-15% of children and around 25% of adults in the UK

How long your hay fever lasts will depend on what the causative allergen is. 

• People with an allergy to tree pollen will typically start to develop hay fever symptoms in the UK sometime between late January and early March, with symptoms settling by April time. 

• People with allergy to grass pollen, will experience hay fever symptoms starting around April and then peak in May and June before eventually settling down.

Symptoms of hay fever 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

If you have asthma, you might also:

• have a tight feeling in your chest
• be short of breath
• wheeze and cough

Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after 1 to 2 weeks.

Hay fever treatments include:

• Non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine or Loratadine 
• steroid nasal sprays which can be very safe and effective if used correctly, for those with more significant symptoms
• desensitisation, for those with severe symptoms

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollen-forecast#