Jun 24, 2025

Hay Fever Signs and Symptoms Everything You Need to Know

Summary

Are you experiencing sneezing, itchy eyes, or a blocked nose as the seasons change? You may be one of the millions of people in the UK affected by hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, as it is medically referred to. This common seasonal allergy, caused by pollen, can significantly impact the way you live your life on a daily basis.

This comprehensive guide from Instant Pharmacy covers all essential aspects of hay fever signs and symptoms. We’ll help you understand what are the signs and symptoms of hay fever are, explore its common and lesser-known indicators like coughing and fatigue, and explain how long you can expect symptoms to last. Most importantly, we’ll advise you when to consult a pharmacist or GP and offer some simple ways to keep your symptoms under control using over-the-counter treatments. We endeavor to give you the tools to go through hay fever season informed and have the relief you need easily accessible.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is basically an example of the immune system being overly sensitive to benign intruders—pollen allergens—it mistakenly identifies them as the enemy. The problem is that when pollen (whether from trees, grass, or weeds) sneaks its way into our bodies, our immune system mistakenly labels it as an enemy. This triggers an immune response that triggers the release of a compound called histamine. It is this histamine release that causes the familiar—and frequently annoying—symptoms of hay fever.

Medically speaking, hay fever is known as allergic rhinitis, a type of seasonal allergy that can occur at different times of the year, typically when the pollen count is high. Hay fever, on the other hand, is caused by a virus and is not contagious. Instead, it’s a long-term problem for people who are susceptible to it, often passed down in families. And knowing this initial immune response is key to understanding why your body responds the way it does to these tiny assailants.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

The impact of hay fever can vary from person to person, but several classic hay fever symptoms are widely experienced. These symptoms can also be somewhere in between annoying and annoying, interfering with everyday tasks.

Nasal Symptoms

One of the most prominent areas affected by pollen allergens is the nasal passage. You might experience:

Fit of sneezing: Often an uncontrollable, sudden bout, frequently producing rapid, successive spitting sounds as a result of the force of the expulsion of air. Your body is trying to rid itself of the irritants.
Runny nose (rhinorrhea): A clear, watery discharge from the nose, which can happen constantly to the point of needing a constant tissue in hand.
Nasal congestion: Nasal passages may swell, making it difficult to breathe, primarily at night, and giving the nose a stuffy sensation. It can also mess with your sense of smell.

Eye Symptoms (Allergic Conjunctivitis)

It is also very susceptible to pollen, which can lead to a case known as allergic conjunctivitis.

Itchy eyes: A strong, sometimes overwhelming, compulsion to rub your eyes.
Watery eyes (lacrimation): Interpretation of tears as the eyes' attempt to "wash away" the allergens.
Red eyes: The whites of your eyes may look red because of overly dilated blood vessels.

Throat and Mouth Symptoms

Pollen can also irritate the throat and mouth, causing :

Itchy throat and roof of mouth: A scratchy or tickling feeling that is very irritating.
Itchy ears: The irritation can travel down the ear canal, causing an itch deep inside your ear.

Other Systemic Symptoms

However, in addition to such localized allergic reactions, allergic rhinitis seems to cause more general symptoms:

Loss of smell (anosmia) or reduced smell (hyposmia): The blockage of the nose and inflammation can reduce your ability to smell very much.
Facial pain/pressure: This is commonly felt in the forehead, cheeks, and eyes and results from inflammation in the sinus cavities.
Headaches: They can be tension headaches due to consistent sneezing and congestion or sinus headaches due to facial pressure.

Recognizing these indicators is crucial for self-management and seeking appropriate relief.

Lesser-Known Hay Fever Symptoms

While the classic signs of hay fever are widely recognized, there are several less common, or at least frequently misunderstood, symptoms too. Attending to these specific concerns makes it easier to get a more complete picture of the harm hay fever can do.

Understanding a Hay Fever-Related Cough

Most individuals have a query: Is coughing a symptom of hay fever? Yes, a cough can be a symptom of hay fever, although it’s not the most common or most relatable one. This, like the other coughs of allergic rhinitis are typically the result of post-nasal drip. And if that allergic response results in lots of mucus in the nasal passages, well, maybe that mucus is making its way down the back of the throat and then tickling it, making for a cough. This cough is usually dry or accompanied by clear mucus and can be more severe when lying down at night. It is not like the chesty cough you suffer when you have a cold or flu.

Can Hay Fever Make You Tired?

Absolutely. Fatigue is a very common, yet often overlooked, symptom of hay fever. There are several reasons why hay fever can make you tired:

Sleep disturbance: Chronic nasal congestion and a persistent need to sneeze or scratch an itch can seriously impact the quality of sleep and preclude any deep and restorative sleep.
Immune system effect: Your immune system is on high alert, trying to defend against perceived threats, so the system can be wearing on the body.
Inflammation: The body’s inflammatory response to allergens can further exacerbate fatigue and general malaise.
Side effects of antihistamines: Some older antihistamines are also sedating.

This persistently induced tiredness can lower your overall quality of life, concentration levels, and day-to-day functions.

Can Hay Fever Lead to a Sore Throat?

Yes, hay fever can lead to a sore throat. This association stems primarily from two reasons:

Post-nasal drip: Continuous mucus movement down the throat’s back might cause persistent irritation in sensitive tissues, resulting in a sore or scratchy throat over time.
Mouth breathing: During periods of congestion, you are forced to breathe through your mouth. This results in nasal passages becoming dry, making the throat feel scratchy and raw upon waking.

Skin Reactions

Less common than respiratory or eye symptoms, hay fever may also cause or worsen skin reactions. Uncommonly, people with pre-existing conditions like eczema suffer more frequent and severe flare-ups during pollen season. Both flare-ups during pollen season arise due to an overactive immune system caused by exposure to allergens, which increases the soreness and itchiness.

Mood Changes

The constant discomfort, disrupted sleep, and general feeling of being unwell can take a significant toll on your mental well-being. With some hay fever (allergic rhinitis) sufferers noting changes in mood such as feeling irritable, finding it hard to concentrate, and even experiencing bouts of sadness, anxiety, and depression. The effect on quality of life is not to be underestimated.

How Long Does Hay Fever Last?

The length of time you’ll have hay fever symptoms very much depends on the type of pollen you are allergic to and individual pollen seasons in the UK. While a cold lasts for a week or two at most, hay fever can keep you sneezing for weeks on end and can even drag on for months.

Here's a general overview of the different pollen seasons in the UK:

Tree Pollen (late March to mid-May): This pollen is often the earliest to make an entrance and the scourge of late springtime hay fever sufferers.

Grass Pollen (May-mid July): The most prevalent hay fever allergen in the UK. Of all those with hay fever, 95% are allergic to grass pollen. The greatest number of symptoms are usually experienced at this time of year, as well as in the month of June and the beginning of July.

Weed Pollen (June to September): Unlike tree and grass pollen, weed pollen from plants like nettle and plantain can be responsible for symptoms that continue into the later summer and early fall.

The duration of individual symptoms can vary widely. A few people may be able to overcome their symptoms after a few weeks, at the height of their particular allergy; others could be adversely affected for most of the pollen season if they are allergic to several types of pollen. Factors affecting severity and duration include:

Pollen count: Symptoms are often worse on days with a high pollen count, particularly on warm, dry, and windy days when the pollen is easily carried away in the breeze.
Geographic area: Pollen may be more prevalent in some locations.
Level of allergy: Some people are way more allergic than others.
Exposure: Spending a lot of time outside at the height of pollen season can cause symptoms to drag on and worsen.

Awareness of these seasonal triggers can help you predict when your symptoms will start and for how long, so you can get ahead of them and take control of them.

When to See a Pharmacist or GP

Although most hay fever symptoms can be alleviated by over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, there are occasions when you should consider getting some advice from a pharmacist or a GP.

You should consider speaking to a healthcare professional if:

Your symptoms are severe: If your hay fever is seriously affecting your day-to-day life, and you can’t work, sleep, or go about your usual activities, you may require stronger measures.
Over-the-counter treatments aren't working. If you've tried antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops and are still struggling, your pharmacist or GP can chat through other available remedies, including other antihistamines at a higher dose than available over the counter or nasal sprays that contain additional ingredients.
You suspect complications: When left untreated or allowed to progress to an advanced stage, hay fever can cause complications such as sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses) or worsen other conditions like asthma among its side effects. If you have trouble breathing, persistent facial pain, or other concerning symptoms, call a doctor.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding: If you are dealing with other medical issues or are already on medication, you should always check with your healthcare provider when starting any treatment for hay fever to ensure there will be no complications.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding: Some drugs are not safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and your doctor can help you find appropriate medication.

Your nearest Instant Pharmacy is an excellent first port of call. Our qualified pharmacists can offer expert consultation and advice, helping you choose the most appropriate OTC medications and providing guidance on how to use them effectively. They can also help you determine if your symptoms warrant a visit to your GP.

Managing Hay Fever Symptoms

Effectively managing hay fever symptoms involves a combination of preventative measures and appropriate treatments. Instant Pharmacy provides a variety of solutions for your comfort and well-being throughout pollen season.

Treatment Options Available at Instant Pharmacy:

Antihistamines: They’re frequently a first line of treatment. They function by interfering with the effect of histamine.
Oral antihistamines: Available as tablets or syrups, they can help relieve sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Ensure fast relief with products such as Allevia 120mg Tablets for 24-hour non-drowsy support or Phenergan Elixir for symptomatic relief, particularly if sedation can help sleep.
Nasal antihistamine sprays: These work to relieve nasal symptoms—such as a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing—without affecting other parts of the body.
Nasal Corticosteroid Sprays: These are very effective for reducing the inflammation of the nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. They work by reducing the allergic response in the nasal passages and often take a few days to reach full effectiveness, so it's best to start using them before symptoms become severe. Beconase Hayfever (Nasal) Spray is one example of a product that can be very useful for directly treating the nose.
Decongestants: If a stuffy nose is your chief complaint, these medications can help by shrinking swollen nasal tissue. Sudafed Decongestant Tablets are widely used for relieving a blocked nose.
Eye Drops: Specifically formulated to soothe itchy, watery, and red eyes. These can contain antihistamines or mast cell stabilizers (which prevent histamine release).

Barrier Methods:

Vaseline: Smearing a little around the nostrils can trap pollen particles before they get inside your nose.
Nasal washes: Saline solutions may be able to rinse away pollen and irritants from the nasal passages.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes:

Monitor pollen forecasts: Stay indoors when pollen counts are high, especially during peak pollen times (early morning and late afternoon/early evening).
Keep windows and doors shut: Particularly in your home and car.
Shower and change clothes: When you return indoors to rinse pollen off your skin and hair.
Try wraparound sunglasses: For eye protection from pollen.
Vacuum frequently: And use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to eliminate pollen from your home.
Don’t let laundry dry outside: Because pollen clings to fabric.

Keep in mind, the most effective plan of treatment is usually an individualized one. At Instant Pharmacy, our professional pharmacists are here to provide expert advice and walk you through a range of management options to find the right treatment for you. You can view the full selection of hay fever and allergy relief products directly on our website.

Conclusion

Common seasonal allergies include sneezing, itchy eyes, and even lesser-known symptoms like fatigue and coughing. We call it hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Knowing the symptoms of hay fever is essential.

If you want to know, how long does hay fever last? or have the classical symptoms, then we do not want pollen to spoil your warm bath fun. With light, warm weather, pollen spikes are bound to happen, but with proper treatments, making you more comfortable at the right time can change things for good.

If you have been struggling with pollen allergies, you should pop over to Instant Pharmacy for personalized hay fever help. You can browse our full range of hay fever treatments and buy online for quick, discreet delivery straight to your door.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is hay fever just a bad cold, or is it something else?

People commonly mistake hay fever for a persistent cold, but hay fever does not stem from any viral pathogens. Hay fever: an allergic response triggered by pollen; a cold: virus-induced. The key difference? Hay fever-affected individuals will not develop a fever, and discomfort will span weeks or even months during pollen seasons.

2. How long will my hay fever symptoms actually last each year?

That really depends on what kind of pollen you're allergic to! Tree pollen in the UK is generally late March until mid-May, grass pollen is mid-May to July, and weed pollen can extend from June to September. So, for a span of a few weeks, it can be only one type, and for several months, multiple types of allergens could lead to symptoms. Also, monitoring the allergy forecast allows you proper preparation!

3. My throat feels scratchy, and I'm coughing—could this really be hay fever?

It most certainly could be! While aching nostrils and a runny nose are considered classic signs of hay fever, a scratchy throat and cough are not unusual signs too. This commonly happens due to post-nasal drip, where excessive mucus from the nose slowly descends onto the back of your throat, leading to irritation and a cough that can be itchy. If your nose is blocked, then you might breathe through your mouth, which causes drying of the throat, making it sore too.

4. I'm pregnant/breastfeeding; can I still take hay fever medication?

It's always best to be cautious when you're pregnant or breastfeeding. While some hay fever medications are generally considered safe, others may not be recommended. We strongly advise you to speak with your GP or one of our qualified pharmacists at Instant Pharmacy before taking any medication.