By Mojibola OrefujaIf you’re anything like me, as soon as the weather starts to warm up, the sneezing begins, your eyes start watering, and you feel like you’re constantly carrying around a packet of tissues. Yep — hayfever season has arrived. My brother likes to joke that I get “bullied by pollen,” and honestly, that’s exactly what it feels like. But hayfever is more than just being allergic to flowers and trees. It’s a bit more layered than that. Let’s break down what hayfever really is, why it happens, and how it can be managed.
What Is Hayfever?
Hayfever is the everyday name for Allergic Rhinitis. “Rhinitis” is a medical term that refers to inflammation of the nose — particularly the lining of the nose. When we say “allergic rhinitis,” we’re specifically talking about that inflammation being caused by an allergic or atopic reaction.
You might remember the term atopy from previous discussions. Atopy refers to the genetic tendency to develop allergic conditions like asthma, eczema, and hayfever. (Do you remember what atopy is? Click on the link to revisit the post on Asthma, which explains atopy) So hayfever is part of that bigger picture — the so-called Atopic Triad.
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Importantly, hayfever is not always caused by pollen. While pollen is a common trigger, the condition can also be triggered by a wide range of airborne allergens like mould spores, pet dander, and house dust mites.
Hayfever is a very common condition, affecting around 30% of adults and 40% of children in developed countries (1). It can affect anyone, at any age, and there’s no significant difference between men and women — the distribution is roughly equal.
Why Do People Get Hayfever (Cause and Risk Factors)?
Hayfever, like other allergic conditions, doesn’t have just one cause. It’s the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
1. Genetics
If hayfever runs in your family, your chances of having it are higher. It’s a highly inheritable condition. Having a parent or sibling with hayfever — or another atopic condition like eczema or asthma — increases your risk significantly (1).
2. Environment
Your surroundings also play a big role. Things like:
- Exposure to airborne allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould spores)
- Living in areas with air pollution
- Indoor dampness
- Being raised in urban environments
…can all contribute to your likelihood of developing hayfever (1). Basically, the more your immune system is exposed to certain irritants, the more likely it is to become sensitised to them.
Symptoms of Hayfever
Hayfever symptoms can vary in severity and combination. Some people experience only a mild runny nose, while others are completely sidelined by a mix of nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue.
Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms to look out for if you suspect hayfever (1,2):
- Sneezing
- Runny nose or blocked (stuffy) nose
- Itchy nose, eyes, throat, ears, or skin
- Watery eyes
- Puffy or swollen eyes
- Tiredness
- Irritability
Other possible symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Red or inflamed eyes
- Loss of smell
- Headaches
These symptoms can have a real impact on day-to-day life. Many people find it hard to concentrate, and their sleep can be disrupted. If you have asthma, hayfever can also trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, making it even more important to manage both conditions together.
How Is Hayfever Diagnosed?
Most of the time, hayfever is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms — meaning your doctor will assess your history and signs to make a diagnosis. If your symptoms clearly align with seasonal changes (like spring or summer), or flare up when exposed to known triggers (pets, dust, etc.), further testing may not be necessary (3).
However, in cases where the diagnosis isn’t clear — or if symptoms are unusually severe — your doctor may recommend allergy testing.
Two Common Tests Include:
- Skin Prick Test
This is a widely used allergy test. Small amounts of common allergens are introduced into your skin using a tiny prick. Your skin’s reaction is then monitored. If you’re allergic, you’ll develop a raised bump or redness where that allergen was introduced. It helps identify specific airborne allergens that may be triggering your hayfever (3). - Blood Tests
Blood tests measure the amount of IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies in your blood. Higher levels suggest an allergic reaction is occurring. However, these tests are not specific to hayfever, so they give more of a general sense that an allergy may be present, rather than confirming what it is (3).
Managing Hayfever
Thankfully, hayfever is very manageable. Treatment is usually based on how severe your symptoms are, and a tiered approach is often used.
Step 1: Avoiding Triggers
This is the first step in managing symptoms. Once you identify your personal triggers (pollen, pet hair, dust mites), taking simple preventive steps can help reduce exposure:
- Keep windows closed on high pollen days
- Shower and change clothes after being outside
- Avoid hanging clothes outside during peak pollen season
- Keep pets out of bedrooms
Step 2: Medications
If symptoms persist, medications are usually very effective and easy to access.
- Steroid Nasal Sprays: These are often the first-line treatment. They help reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and are safe for regular use.
- Antihistamines: These block the action of histamine — the chemical released during an allergic reaction. Some common options include:
- Cetirizine
- Loratadine
- Fexofenadine
These are available over the counter and can be taken daily during allergy season.
- Eye Drops: If itchy or watery eyes are a problem, antihistamine eye drops can provide fast relief.
- Decongestants: These can relieve a blocked nose but should only be used short-term, as long-term use can worsen congestion.
Step 3: Advanced Treatment Options
For people with severe or persistent hayfever, other treatments may be considered.
- Allergen Immunotherapy: This involves gradually exposing your body to increasing amounts of the allergen to build up tolerance. It can be delivered via regular injections or daily tablets under the tongue.
- Referral to a Specialist: If hayfever seriously affects your quality of life despite treatment, your doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist for more advanced care.
Conclusion
Hayfever may be a common condition, but it’s far from trivial. For millions of people, it significantly impacts quality of life — affecting sleep, productivity, and even mental health. But with the right knowledge and approach, it can be managed successfully.
Understanding what hayfever is — a chronic, allergic inflammation of the nose — and knowing how to identify triggers, use medications appropriately, and seek specialist care when needed can make a world of difference. Whether it’s pollen, pets, or dust mites giving you grief, the tools exist to help you take back control.
So next time someone jokes that you’re getting “bullied by pollen,” you’ll know the science behind it — and more importantly, you’ll know what to do about it.
References
- BMJ Best Practice. Allergic rhinitis: Epidemiology [Internet]. BMJ Publishing Group; 2023 [cited 2025 May 1]. Available from: https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/232/epidemiology
- NHS. Hay fever [Internet]. NHS; 2023 [cited 2025 May 1]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
- Allergy UK. Hayfever [Internet]. Allergy UK; 2023 [cited 2025 May 1]. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/hayfever/