In short: Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to pollen that causes sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes. It cannot be cured, but most people control it well with non-drowsy antihistamines, a steroid nasal spray used every day through the season, eye drops and simple steps to cut pollen exposure. If pharmacy treatments are not enough, a GP or prescriber can review you, and allergen immunotherapy may be an option for severe hay fever.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist in Standish, Wigan, explains what causes hay fever, how to tell it apart from a cold, and which treatments UK guidance recommends.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is the common name for seasonal allergic rhinitis. When someone with the allergy breathes in pollen, their immune system treats it as a threat and releases chemicals such as histamine. This causes inflammation in the lining of the nose, eyes and throat.

In the UK, the pollen season usually runs from late March to September. Many people react to one type of pollen more than others:

Tree pollen – mainly early spring (roughly late March to May).
Grass pollen – the most common trigger, typically May to July.
Weed pollen – late summer, into September.

Pollen counts tend to be highest on warm, humid and windy days. Symptoms can start at any age, including for the first time in adulthood.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
Itchy, red or watery eyes
An itchy throat, mouth, nose or ears
Coughing, often from mucus running down the back of the throat
Reduced sense of smell, headache, pain around the sinuses and tiredness

Hay fever can also make asthma symptoms worse, such as wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. If you have asthma and your symptoms flare in pollen season, speak to your GP or asthma nurse about your asthma plan.

Is it hay fever or a cold?

Feature	Hay fever	Common cold
Timing	Seasonal, lasts weeks or months	Usually clears within 1–2 weeks
Itchy eyes, nose or throat	Common	Uncommon
Nasal discharge	Clear and watery	Can become thicker
Fever and aches	No	Sometimes
Pattern	Worse outdoors and on high-pollen days	No link to pollen

How is hay fever treated?

Treatments from a pharmacy

Non-drowsy antihistamine tablets (for example cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine) ease sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Older sedating antihistamines can cause drowsiness and are generally best avoided during the day.
Steroid nasal sprays (such as beclometasone or fluticasone) reduce inflammation and are particularly good for a blocked nose. They work best when used every day, ideally starting a couple of weeks before your usual season, and can take several days to reach full effect. Using the correct technique makes a real difference.
Antihistamine or sodium cromoglicate eye drops for itchy, watery eyes.
Saline nasal rinses can help wash pollen and mucus out of the nose.

Your pharmacist can help you choose products that suit you, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, buying for a child or taking other medicines.

If pharmacy treatments are not enough

See a GP or prescriber if your symptoms are not controlled, are affecting sleep, work or school, or if you also have asthma. Options may include a prescription steroid nasal spray, a combined steroid and antihistamine nasal spray, or a short course of steroid tablets for a specific situation such as exams. For severe hay fever that has not responded to standard treatment, you may be referred for allergen immunotherapy, where small, gradually increasing doses of pollen extract are given as tablets, drops under the tongue or injections, usually starting a few months before the season.

What about steroid injections for hay fever?

Long-acting steroid injections are sometimes discussed for hay fever, but they are not a routine treatment in UK guidance. They affect the whole body rather than just the nose and eyes, and carry risks such as thinning of the skin and fat at the injection site, raised blood sugar, mood and sleep changes and, with repeated use, effects on bones and the adrenal glands. Daily steroid nasal sprays and antihistamines are the recommended first-line options. Any other treatment should only be considered after an individual assessment by a prescriber who weighs the benefits and risks for you.

How can I reduce my exposure to pollen?

Check the Met Office pollen forecast and plan outdoor activities for lower-count days.
Keep windows and doors shut when pollen is high, and use a pollen filter in your car if it has one.
Wear wraparound sunglasses, and apply a little petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen.
Shower and change clothes after spending time outside.
Dry washing indoors on high-pollen days, and vacuum regularly with a HEPA filter.
Avoid cutting grass and keep away from smoke, which can irritate the nose further.

Frequently asked questions

Can you suddenly develop hay fever as an adult?

Yes. Hay fever often starts in childhood or the teenage years, but it can appear for the first time at any age.

When should I start my hay fever treatment?

Steroid nasal sprays work best if you start them about two weeks before your symptoms usually begin and use them every day through the season.

Are hay fever tablets safe in pregnancy?

Some treatments are preferred in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Speak to a pharmacist, GP or midwife before taking anything.

When should I see a GP about hay fever?

If pharmacy treatments have not helped after a fair trial, if you have wheezing or breathlessness, or if symptoms only affect one side of your nose or come with bleeding, pain or loss of smell that does not improve.

Key takeaways

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen; the UK season usually runs from late March to September.
Non-drowsy antihistamines and a daily steroid nasal spray are the mainstays of treatment.
Start nasal sprays before the season and use them every day with good technique.
Steroid injections are not routinely recommended in UK guidance because of their side effects.
Immunotherapy may help severe hay fever that does not respond to standard treatment.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

If hay fever is affecting your daily life, you can book a hay fever consultation at Ready Health in Standish, Wigan. A prescriber will review your symptoms and current treatment and talk through the options that may suit you.