Hay Fever Advice
Hay fever affects many of our patients each year. The effectiveness of treatments can depend on when it is started and which types of pollen you are sensitive to.
Tree pollen: late March – mid-May
Grass pollen: mid-May – July
Weed pollen: late June – September
For adults and children over 12, start using a steroid nasal spray at least two weeks before your usual symptoms begin. To ensure correct use, go to how to use a nasal spray .
When pollen levels are high, symptoms can be difficult to control. The main treatments are:
- Oral antihistamines – loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, acrivastine, chlorphenamine
- Steroid nasal sprays (over 18s) – beclomethasone, fluticasone, mometasone
- Anti-allergy eye drops – sodium cromoglicate
These products are widely available from your community pharmacy or usual retailers and NHS England advises GP practices not to prescribe them.
Finding what works best for you can take time so try one product at a time and allow two weeks to assess effectiveness before dismissing. There is no single “best” antihistamine as effectiveness varies between individuals.
Self care tips:
- Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible when pollen counts are high
- Wash your hands and face, and change your clothes, when coming in after being outdoors
- Apply barrier products such as Vaseline around your nose to trap pollen
- Consider saline nasal rinses or sprays for symptom relief
More information is available at:
