Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is one of the most common allergies in the UK, affecting around 13 million people.
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Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is one of the most common allergies in the UK, affecting around 13 million people.
It’s an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. Some of the most common allergens that cause hay fever are pollens, dust mites and moulds.
Depending on which allergens you’re sensitive to, hay fever can start early in the year (February to May) if it’s due to tree pollen allergy or in the summer if it’s due to grass pollen. For those who have an allergy to house dust mites, moulds or pets, symptoms can be present all year round.
Thankfully, there are both at-home and doctor-led treatments that can help alleviate the sneezing, itching and other symptoms you might be experiencing.
At Welbeck, our allergy specialists identify allergens and treat hay fever in our dedicated Skin Health & Allergy clinic.
Hay fever symptoms can range from mild to severe. They can also vary depending on the allergen(s) you’re sensitive to.
Common signs and symptoms of hay fever are:
bouts of sneezing
itchy, red, and watery eyes
itchy throat, ears, nose, and mouth
a runny or blocked nose
postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)
headaches
feeling tired and irritable
a cough
poor sleep due to a blocked or runny nose
Hay fever occurs when your body’s immune system reacts to an allergen in the air. Allergens are harmless to most people, but if you have hay fever, this is because your immune system overreacts to an allergen that it has mistakenly identified as a threat to your body.
Common allergens associated with hay fever include:
pollen from trees, grass and weeds
dust mites
pet dander
mould spores
cockroach saliva and waste
The immune reaction aims to protect your body from these allergens by releasing a chemical into your bloodstream called histamine. Histamine causes the mucous membranes in your nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed and itchy as they work to eject the allergen from your body – think sneezing, coughing and watery eyes.
If you’re experiencing hay fever symptoms, our Welbeck allergy specialists can confirm whether you have the condition, as well as identify which allergens you’re affected by, with an allergy skin prick test and blood tests.
A skin prick test involves pricking or scratching the skin (usually on your arm) with a needle and placing a small amount of a range of allergens on the skin’s surface. If there’s a reaction, this indicates an allergen sensitivity.
Blood tests are used to look for specific antibodies in your blood that are produced in response to allergens. This can provide insight into which allergens may be triggering your symptoms.
Unfortunately, there's currently no cure for hay fever, and it cannot be prevented either. What you can focus on are things that may help to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
The following tips may help you reduce your symptoms:
shower and change your clothes as soon as you get home to reduce pollen exposure
put clothes in an enclosed washing basket or straight in the wash to limit the amount of pollen that enters your home
wear sunglasses outdoors to help reduce the amount of pollen that can get into your eyes
keep windows and doors closed to prevent pollen from entering your home
use an air purifier and vacuum with a HEPA filter to help keep the air free of allergens
dust your home with a damp cloth to get rid of pollen
wash bedding, cushion covers and sofa covers regularly
apply Vaseline or a clear lip balm around your nostrils and lips to ‘trap’ pollen
keep car windows shut when driving
keep pets outside as much as possible and groom them regularly
There are various treatments, both over-the-counter and prescribed, that can help reduce and manage hay fever symptoms.
These include nasal steroid sprays, antihistamine tablets and eye drops designed to treat the inflammation and irritation caused by hay fever.
If these treatments are not effective, your allergy specialist may offer you desensitisation (immunotherapy). This involves having increasing doses of allergen extracts over time, either via injection or drops or tablets under your tongue (sublingual). This treatment helps your body learn to tolerate allergens to reduce your reactivity and lessen the severity of your symptoms.
At Welbeck, our allergy specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
Symptoms can flare up on unusually warm or dry days when pollen is higher than normal, or if you're exposed to indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander. Everyday irritants like air pollution or mould may also intensify your hay fever, even when pollen levels are low.
Yes. Sleep quality, stress levels, and even your diet may affect how you experience allergies. High-stress days or poor sleep can make symptoms feel worse. Emerging research also suggests that a healthy gut microbiome may help modulate allergic reactions.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays are useful first steps. But if symptoms are severe or long-lasting, options like prescription immunotherapy may be considered. Always ask your specialist which treatment is likely to be most effective and fit best with your lifestyle and needs.
Keeping an eye on local pollen forecasts helps you time activities, especially outdoor plans, when counts are lower. Taking preventive medication during high pollen days, using air filters at home, and starting treatments early can all help reduce symptom severity ahead of peak times.
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By having a complete and integrated team of sub-specialty experts under one roof we ensure that patients are seen by the right consultant at every appointment. Our skin health specialists cover a wide range of dermatological conditions, and our dedicated allergy specialists are recognised leaders in their field.