Hay fever

The symptoms of hay fever include:

• frequent sneezing
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• a cough, which is caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)

Some other symptoms of hay fever are less common. These include:

• loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
• facial pain, which is caused by blocked sinuses
• headaches
• earache
• tiredness and fatigue

If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms may get worse when you have hay fever.

There's no cure for hay fever at the moment, but most people can ease their symptoms with treatment.

The options for hay fever include:

• antihistamines, which help to prevent an allergic reaction
• corticosteroids (steroids), which help to reduce inflammation and swelling

Many hay fever medicines can be bought over the counter, without a prescription.

See a doctor if your hay fever symptoms:

• are getting worse
• do not improve after taking over-the-counter medicines

There are a few steps you can take to stop hay fever symptoms before they start.

• wear wraparound sunglasses when you're outdoors, because they can stop pollen getting into your eyes
• take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors, to remove pollen on your body
• stay indoors when the pollen count is high
• apply a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) to the nostrils to trap pollen
• keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
• wipe surfaces in your house regularly with a damp cloth
• try to spend time outdoors when pollen levels are lower

• Keep fresh flowers out of your house
• Stay away from smoke and don't smoke yourself, because it can make your symptoms worse
• Avoid drying clothes outside when pollen counts are high

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen is a fine powder that plants release as part of their reproductive cycle. It contains proteins that can make your nose, eyes, throat and sinuses swollen, irritated and inflamed.

You can be allergic to different kinds of pollen:

• tree pollen, released during spring
• grass pollen, released at the end of spring and the beginning of summer
• weed pollen, released in late autumn

Anyone can get hay fever. It usually starts in childhood or during the teenage years.

You're more likely to develop hay fever if allergies run in your family, particularly asthma or eczema.

Many people find their symptoms get better as they get older.

Hay fever can sometimes affect your quality of life. Very severe hay fever, for example, may get in the way of your work or your studies at school.

Sinusitis, which is inflammation of the sinuses, is a common complication of hay fever. Children with hay fever may also get a middle ear infection (otitis media).

If you're worried about either of these, speak to your doctor.