Hay Fever: Recognising Symptoms and Triggers

Key Information

• What is it?: Hay fever is not a cold or a viral infection. It is an allergic reaction your body has to certain tiny particles in the air.
• The Goal: Recognising when and where your symptoms happen often gives us a good clue about the trigger.

Common Symptoms

If you have hay fever, you may experience:

• Frequent sneezing (often several in a row).
• A runny or completely blocked nose.
• Itchy, red, or watery eyes.
• Itchiness in your throat, mouth, nose, or ears.
• Headaches and facial pain around the forehead and temples.
• Feeling unusually tired.

Is it a Cold or Hay Fever?

Because the symptoms are similar, it is easy to confuse the two. The biggest clue is how long the symptoms last.

• A Standard Cold
  Duration: Usually goes away within 1–2 weeks.
  Timing: Can happen at any time.
• Hay Fever
  Duration: Can last for weeks or even months.
  Timing: Often peaks during specific pollen seasons.

Identifying Your Triggers

Knowing your story usually gives us important clues about what may be triggering your symptoms.

• Seasonal Triggers (Late March to September)
  If your symptoms are worse outdoors on warm, dry, sunny, or windy days, the most common cause is pollen (a fine powder released from trees, grasses, and weeds).
• Year-Round Triggers (Indoor Allergies)
  If symptoms occur throughout the year and are often worse indoors, possible triggers include:
• House Dust Mites: Tiny creatures living in dust, bedding, and carpets.
• Mould Spores: Often found in damp areas such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Pet Dander: Tiny flakes of skin or saliva from pets such as cats and dogs.

Note: If the trigger is not obvious from your symptoms, we may sometimes suggest allergy testing (such as blood tests or skin prick tests) to help identify the exact cause.

What Happens Next?

If you are struggling to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter pharmacy treatments, please let us know so we can help.

Further Information

For more specific information about hay fever, including current pollen forecasts and self-care advice, please visit the NHS website:

Last reviewed: 10 March 2026
Next review due: 10 March 2029