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Suffer with summer sniffles, itchy eyes & sneezing? Get to know how to deal with hayfever without simply staying indoors
Are you one of the near 49% of people in the UK who suffer with symptoms of hayfever? Not sure? Well, if you find yourself with a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing (particularly between late March and September) that lasts longer than a few weeks, then the answer may very well be yes.
Although these symptoms aren’t usually serious, they’re common among hayfever sufferers and can affect day to day life by disrupting sleep and concentration.
Let’s rip the plaster off and start with the bad news first: there’s no permanent cure for hayfever. But the good news is – there are ways to help ease hayfever symptoms.
The typical go-to plan of action would be to either defend against tree pollen and grass pollen preemptively or to relieve symptoms after the allergic reaction kicks in, to keep the symptoms at bay.
Carving out a daily routine that combines hayfever relief treatment and small lifestyle changes can help, so that your seasonal allergic rhinitis (the fancy term for hayfever) doesn’t force you indoors for the entirety of hayfever season.
How long can hayfever last?
Unlike the common cold that often lasts only a week or two, hayfever can last weeks or months, depending on the tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen counts, and which of these you’re allergic to.
What triggers hayfever?
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen – grass or tree pollen – when it comes into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth and throat. Your immune system attempts to fight off the pollen as it would a virus, triggering an allergic reaction and the associated symptoms. Curious to know more about what hayfever is and how to treat it? Read our full guide.
Can hayfever make you feel unwell?
Absolutely. Whichever type of pollen you’re allergic to, symptoms can include:
• Sneezing and coughing
• A runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Reduction or loss of smell
• Pain around your temples and forehead
• Headache
• Earache
• Feeling tired
A mixture of just a few of those symptoms and we’d be surprised if you weren’t feeling quite yourself.
Is hayfever worse at night?
It’s not necessarily worse at night or in the early morning. You’ll more likely find that your hayfever gets worse when the weather is warm, windy, humid or especially sunny.
Having said that, on those sunny days, the pollen count is usually highest in the early evening, so you might notice a symptom flare-up during that time. If you notice your symptoms are worse at night, keep the windows of your home closed during the day and try taking a shower when you get home, or before going to bed, to wash the pollen off and reduce exposure to pollen during the night.
Tired of battling through hayfever season unarmed? Check out our tips below to help you be better prepared – and more comfortable – all day long.
1. Check the pollen count
Make it a part of your daily routine to check the pollen count for the day ahead. The Met Office compiles a forecast five days ahead of time, so if a high pollen count normally equates to a day of streaming eyes and a runny nose for you, you can adjust your plans accordingly.
2. Apply a barrier balm to your nose
Defend the main gateway into the body by preventing pollen from entering your nasal passage in the first place. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the opening of your nose to allow your nostrils to trap the pollen and prevent it from travelling further.
Consider: HayMax Pure Organic Drug-Free Allergen Barrier Balm
• Size: 5ml
• Suitable for children and adults
• Suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Seal your nostrils with this barrier balm to help trap pollen before it gets into your body. With no added fragrance, the balm isn’t greasy like regular petroleum jelly. Just rub it gently around the edge of the nostril and on the brow bone.
3. Antihistamines
Antihistamines help to manage mild symptoms of hayfever by blocking the body’s allergic response to the pollen. They’re most commonly found in tablet and liquid form and can either be taken when needed to help you manage your symptoms, or regularly, if needed, throughout the season.
If you’re unsure about which antihistamine is right for you, ask a member of the Boots pharmacy team for advice.
Consider: Boots Hayfever & Allergy Relief 10mg Tablets
• Size: 14 tablets
• Suitable for adults and children aged 6 years+
• Active ingredients: cetirizine hydrochloride
• Always read the label
To help relieve your symptoms during hayfever season, consider antihistamine tablets. Take one a day if you’re 12 years+, and half a tablet twice a day for children aged 6-11 years.
4. Pack wraparound sunglasses
As well as shielding your eyes from the sun, wearing the right sunglasses can also be an effective step in your daily hayfever routine. Wraparound styles are the ones to go for if you’re a hayfever sufferer as they can help prevent pollen from reaching your eyes.
Day time
5. Keep the windows shut
If pollen can’t reach you in the first place, you have a stronger chance of minimising your symptoms – try not to open windows and doors. If it’s a sunny and warm day, consider using air conditioning to cool down the room.
6. Nasal sprays
Pollen can cause inflammation of the nasal lining, so you might consider using a nasal spray alongside antihistamines, if you’re struggling with sneezing or a runny or blocked nose.
A range of nasal sprays are available over the counter to help ease hayfever symptoms. Always read the information provided with these products, for guidance on how they are to be used. If you find they are not effective, speak to a GP about prescription-only treatment.
If you're unsure about which nasal spray is best for you and your symptoms, pop in for a chat with your local Boots pharmacy team.
Consider: Nasacort Allergy Relief for Adults
• Suitable for adults 18 years+
• Active ingredients: triamcinolone acetonide
• Non drowsy
• Always read the label
When used as directed, this nasal spray may help to soothe common hayfever symptoms of sneezing, itchy and runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes and sinus discomfort.
7. Stop smoking
Hayfever can irritate the lining of your airways, causing a dry, itchy cough – this will only be exacerbated by smoking.
There’s a wide range of health benefits to be gained by stopping smoking. If you’re looking to give up or cut down, there are several options to help you along the way. One is to consider nicotine replacement therapies* – products such as gums, patches, lozenges and inhalators and sprays that work by releasing low levels of nicotine into the body, minus the carbon monoxide, tar and other chemicals found in cigarettes. If you're unsure which form of NRT might be suitable for you, speak to a GP or pharmacist, who can help you decide.
You could also get the advice and treatment you need to help you stop smoking for good with our Boots Online Doctor Service. Simply fill in a short questionnaire and one of our clinicians will assess whether the service is right for you**.
8. Limit your exposure
While it might go without saying, mowing the lawn or tending to your vegetable patch isn’t the best idea when you’re managing symptoms of hayfever. This also goes for raking up leaves outside or keeping flowers inside the house.
9. Keep eye drops on hand
Steroid nasal sprays can help to manage itchy or streaming eyes, but allergy relief eye drops are available to help soothe dryness, soreness and watering.
If you're unsure about which eye drops are appropriate for you, ask a member of the Boots pharmacy team to advise.
Consider: Boots Hayfever Relief 2% w.v Eye Drops
• Size: 10ml
• Suitable for adults and children 6 years+
• Active ingredient: sodium cromoglicate (2% w/v)
• Always read the label
Itchy eyes are a huge irritation but this symptom can be relieved with eye drops. Gently squeeze one or two drops into your eyes four times a day. Consult your doctor or pharmacist, to check eye drops are suitable for you, if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
10. Switch on an air purifier
Consider investing in an air purifier to use throughout the day. These small, portable devices help reduce unwanted air particles and pollutants from your space.
11. Dry your clothes inside
Don’t undo your hard work of reducing pollen by drying clothes outside on a washing line. Even the slightest breeze could result in a laundry load covered in pesky pollen.
Evening
12. Vacuum & dust with a damp cloth
Making sure your cloth is damp is the key to this one, as pollen can be tricky to remove from surfaces unless it’s moistened. Staying on top of the dusting will make sure pollen doesn’t linger in your home overnight and aggravate your symptoms.
13. Change your clothes
The same goes for your clothes! Changing your outfit as soon as you come inside may help prevent a flare-up. It’s also a good idea to shower and wash your hair regularly, to remove any pollen that may be clinging to your skin or hair.
14. Groom your pets
Pollen can cling to the coats of household pets and enter your home. Try to give your pets a quick rub-down with a damp cloth before they come inside (even if they try to protest!).
Our top tips can help you manage your symptoms of hayfever, but you may want to consider visiting Boots Online Doctor Hayfever Treatment Service**. After completing a quick online consultation, you’ll receive a clinical assessment in 24 hours and, if applicable to your symptoms, access to prescription-only hayfever medicine.
