Hay fever 

Introduction 

Hay fever advice

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen that affects around one in four people. An expert explains how it's diagnosed, the symptoms and treatment.

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines

The ARIA guidelines were developed during a World Health Organization (WHO) workshop in 1999 by a panel of experts. They were updated in 2008.

The ARIA guidelines have changed the terms that were traditionally used to describe allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is no longer described as ‘seasonal’ when it occurs during the summer months and ‘perennial’ when it occurs all year round.

Instead, allergic rhinitis can either be:

  • intermittent: symptoms are present for up to four days a week, or for up to four weeks in a row, or
  • persistent: symptoms are present for more than four days a week, or for more than four weeks in a row.

These terms have been changed to better reflect the reality of people’s symptoms.

Previously, ‘seasonal’ was used to mean an allergic reaction at a particular time of the year, usually caused by outdoor allergens, such as pollen. ‘Perennial’ meant that the allergic reaction symptoms lasted all year, and were usually caused by indoor allergens, such as dust mites.

In reality, pollens can be present and cause allergic reaction symptoms throughout the year, and those with allergies to ‘all year’ allergens, such as dust mites, may not have their symptoms all year round.

The new terms of ‘intermittent’ and ‘persistent’ define allergic rhinitis based on the frequency of the symptoms, not the time of year they appear or the allergens that cause them.

Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen or spores. Allergic rhinitis is a condition where an allergen (something that causes an allergic reaction) makes the inside of your nose inflamed (swollen).

Hay fever affects the nose, sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead), throat and eyes. It causes:

  • sneezing,
  • a runny nose, and
  • itchy eyes.

Hay fever usually occurs in spring and summer, when there is more pollen in the air. Trees, grass and plants release pollen as part of their reproductive process. Mould and fungi also release tiny reproductive particles, called spores.

People with hay fever can experience their symptoms at different times of the year, depending on which pollens or spores they are allergic to.

Allergic rhinitis can be classified as either intermittent or persistent, depending on how often people experience their symptoms (see box, left)

Allergic reaction

The symptoms of hay fever occur when the immune system (the body’s defence system) overreacts to a normally harmless substance, in this case pollen. When the body comes into contact with pollen, cells in the lining of the nose, mouth and eyes release a chemical called histamine. This triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

How common is it?

Hay fever is a common condition that affects around 20% of people in the UK. Hay fever is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema. In England, there may be over 10 million people with hay fever.

Outlook

Hay fever cannot be cured completely, but there are a number of treatments available to relieve the symptoms. These include antihistamine tablets, nasal (nose) sprays and eye drops. Some can only be prescribed by a GP, but many are available over-the-counter (OTC) in pharmacies.

For persistent hay fever, a treatment known as immunotherapy can be used to gradually increase a person’s exposure to the allergen while monitoring their response. This can be effective at reducing the severity of an allergic reaction, but is not suitable for everyone.

  • show glossary terms

Glossary

Allergen
An allergen is a substance, such as pollen, that reacts with the body's immune system and causes an allergic reaction.

Allergy
Allergy is the term used to describe an adverse (bad) reaction that the body has to a particular substance.

Sneezing
Sneezing is an involuntary expulsion of air and bacteria from the nose and mouth.

Last reviewed: 03/12/2024

Next review due: 03/12/2024

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4 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

o Nions said on 02 July 2024

I used to suffer from hay fever so badly that I had to take time off work every year. But about 4 years ago I found a really simple cure - onions! No really - if you chew a slice of raw onion when the sneezing is upon you it stops it dead - amazing! Ok it doesn't stop the itching around the eyes but it allows you to continue with your life! Also over the four years or so I've been using the Onion Cure lol I've noticed that I've begun slowly to develop a sort of resistance to hay fever and the symptoms have become much milder. Onions are of course good for you too. Just don't kiss anybody... Sooo here's to the mighty onion - saved my life...
PS I searched for this site not because I was looking for a cure but just to let other sufferers know....

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Matthew Patterson said on 21 June 2024

I allegedly started suffering from Hay Fever around 5 years ago. My Hay Fever isnt like any of the sites say. I dont have itchy eyes or sneeze. My nose just gets so blocked i cant breath which in turn make me unable to hear. I have been to the DR every year and each year told different stuff to try. I even try taking tablets at the beginning of the year and still i get the symptoms. It last for around 6 months of the year and even when they say the pollon count is low- i am still the same. Its an absolute nightmare and i am unsure as to what to try or where to turn. Can anyone help?

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crazyifg said on 18 April 2024

hi,sory for my lang firtsly .i do have this kind of allergy since i was 18 19 , but i dindnt know.i move i uk few years ago , i develloped allergy on honey , milk and some kinds of foods made with some incredients .i did try a lot and now after 2 years i dont have any food alergy and i hope in 2 years i will cure this for ever.i still have some eyes problems , burning for eg but not so bad like before.i would like to share my advices and how i did it , and to hear opinions about how the others can survive with this.i was to gp 2 years ago and he told me the same i will never be cured but i cant accept this and from this hay fever we i can go worst to asthma .thanks

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cd1234 said on 26 February 2025

I am one part of that 20% of people that have hay fever in england. But my condition starts in late winter. I have also tryed everything on the market. I have also tryed everthing on perscription. I would also like to know why this happends. So how can it possiably be pollen at this time of the year?help!!!

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External links

'I can't run away from my hay fever'

He sprinted his way into the record books, but athlete Marlon Devonish can’t escape his hay fever.

Find and Choose Hospitals for hay fever

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