Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. It’s usually worse between late March and September when the pollen count is at its highest and the weather is warm, humid and windy.
Common symptoms are similar to a cold and include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. You may also lose your smell, get a headache or earache and feel tired. However, hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one or two weeks.
The NHS in Devon is advising people to treat the symptoms of hay fever at home so that GPs can focus on more complex patient issues. There’s currently no cure for hay fever and you cannot prevent it, but you can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high. These include pre-emptively taking antihistamines and using steroid nasal sprays, avoiding being outside during peak pollen times, wearing sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes and showering and changing your clothes after you’ve been outside.
More general advice is available on the NHS website, and if you require further assistance you can visit your local pharmacy. They can recommend suitable products that can be purchased over the counter to help relieve the symptoms of hay fever, and if your condition is more serious, signpost you quickly to get the right medical care.