What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy. You get symptoms from pollen from some grasses or trees - this pollen is also called pollen. Symptoms occur when pollen gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, throat or windpipe. This causes your mucous membranes to thicken and produce extra mucus.

Although hay fever is annoying, it is not dangerous. The symptoms disappear by themselves as soon as the pollen is out of the air.

What can you do yourself for hay fever?

Try to come into contact with pollen as little as possible.

• Pay attention to the weather forecast. Especially in spring and summer, when the weather is dry and sunny, there is a lot of pollen in the air.
• Check online where and when pollen is abundant and then try to stay indoors as much as possible.
• Keep windows closed, even at night. Leave your car windows closed too. That way, pollen won't blow in.
• Open the windows when it is raining or has just rained.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses outside. This helps prevent pollen from reaching your eyes.
• Don't go lawn mowing yourself.
• Let your laundry dry indoors.

Medicines for hay fever

Medicines can help relieve your symptoms. These include allergy tablets (antihistamines), eye drops for itchy eyes or a nasal spray. These medicines are available over the counter at a pharmacy or chemist’s.

Do you have a lot of symptoms? If so, a nasal spray containing an anti-inflammatory may help. This type of nasal spray is often most effective if you start using it before the pollen season begins. Discuss with your GP or pharmacist which product is best suited to your symptoms.

It can also help to keep the windows closed on days when pollen levels are high and to wear sunglasses when you’re outside.

Read more at Home doctor.co.uk Find out what else you can do to ease hay fever symptoms, or watch the video on hay fever for more information.

See your GP

Please call on weekdays or make an appointment if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• You think you have hay fever and you want to do something to ease your symptoms.
• You have hay fever and your medication isn’t helping enough.
• You have had symptoms for more than two weeks, or if your symptoms are getting worse.