What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy. Your immune system reacts to pollen from grass, trees or weeds and treats it like a threat. The proper name is allergic rhinitis—which simply means inflammation (irritation and swelling) inside the nose caused by allergy. It is very common, and it can make you feel tired, foggy and fed up, especially in spring and summer.

Common symptoms

Hay fever can affect more than just your nose. Common symptoms include:

Nose: sneezing, a runny nose, itching, and a blocked nose (often worse at night)
Eyes: itchy, red, watery eyes and swollen eyelids
Throat and ears: itchiness, a tickly cough, or a “full” feeling in the ears
Sleep: poor sleep from congestion or coughing
Concentration: tiredness, headaches, and difficulty focusing

It can also mimic a cold. A cold often comes with a fever and body aches and usually clears within 7–10 days. Hay fever tends to come back, lasts longer, and is triggered by being around pollen.

What makes it worse?

Symptoms can flare when pollen levels are high, but also when everyday factors add to irritation, such as:

Warm, dry, windy days (pollen spreads more easily)
Being outside early morning or early evening (often higher pollen times)
Freshly cut grass, parks and countryside walks
Outdoor exercise during high pollen days
Smoke, strong fragrances, air fresheners, and traffic pollution
Pets bringing pollen indoors on fur
Damp or dusty rooms that irritate already-sensitive nasal lining

Self-help you can try today

These practical steps can reduce symptoms and help treatments work better:

Check the pollen forecast and plan outdoor time when levels are lower.
Wear wraparound sunglasses outside to protect eyes from pollen.
Shower and change clothes after being outdoors; pollen sticks to hair and fabric.
Keep bedroom air as “pollen-light” as possible: close windows at peak times, and avoid drying washing outdoors.
Rinse the nose with a salt-water wash (a simple nasal rinse) to clear pollen and soothe irritation.
Use over-the-counter (OTC) treatments correctly: some work best when started early and used regularly. A pharmacist can help you choose an option for nose and eye symptoms. Always follow the product label.
Avoid rubbing eyes (it worsens itching); use cool compresses instead.
Vacuum and dust regularly using a damp cloth to reduce pollen indoors.

When to see your GP or pharmacist

If symptoms are mild and new: speak to a pharmacist for OTC options and tips for using them properly.
If symptoms last more than a few weeks, affect sleep, school/work, or keep returning each season: book with your GP.
If you’re unsure it’s hay fever (for example, one-sided blockage, ongoing facial pain, or symptoms outside pollen season): see your GP for assessment.

When to consider seeing an ENT rhinology specialist privately

For some people, hay fever is only part of the picture. Consider a private consultation with an ENT specialist in rhinology (nose and sinus care) if:

You have a blocked nose most days, or breathe through your mouth at night
Your sense of smell is reduced
You have ongoing sinus symptoms such as facial pressure or recurrent headaches
You get frequent sinus or chest infections
Sleep is poor, snoring has worsened, or daytime tiredness is significant
Symptoms continue despite trying treatments correctly
You want clarity on the diagnosis, triggers, and a tailored plan

This is usually a next step, not the first step—helpful when symptoms are persistent, severe, or complicated.

Otolaryngology ENT in Cheltenham