Begin with pharmacy advice.
A pharmacist can match treatment to nose, eye or combined symptoms and advise on antihistamine tablets, drops or sprays and steroid nasal sprays.
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Hay fever · allergic rhinitis
Breathe easier through pollen season.
Sneezing, a blocked or runny nose and itchy, watery eyes can continue for weeks or months. Start with a well-matched pharmacy plan; arrange a GP review when symptoms persist, disrupt daily life or affect asthma.
There is no cure for hay fever, but reducing pollen exposure and using suitable treatment correctly can make the season more manageable. Any prescription depends on an individual clinical assessment.
Choose a suitable route
Most hay fever starts at the pharmacy.
For many people, the right over-the-counter medicine and consistent technique are enough. Move to GP care when the pattern is severe, uncertain or no longer controlled.
When symptoms keep breaking through.
Arrange a review if symptoms are worsening, pharmacy treatment is not working, sleep or everyday life is affected, asthma is worsening or you are unsure what is triggering the problem.
Explore GP appointmentsFor severe or uncertain allergy.
A GP may consider referral for further tests or immunotherapy when the cause is unclear or severe symptoms remain despite appropriate treatment.
Explore general medicineAsk a pharmacist or GP before choosing an antihistamine for a young child, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with another health condition, or alongside other medicines.
Recognise the pattern
More than a runny nose.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. In the UK it is often worse from late March to September, especially in warm, humid and windy weather.
Nose
Repeated sneezing, an itchy nose and a runny or blocked nose—often beginning soon after pollen exposure.
Eyes
Itchy, red or watery eyes. Rubbing can add irritation, so eye-specific advice may be helpful.
Throat & head
Itching in the throat, mouth or ears, reduced smell, headache or pressure around the forehead and sides of the head.
Sleep & breathing
Cough, tiredness, poor sleep and reduced concentration. Pollen can also trigger wheeze or chest tightness in people with asthma.
Hay fever can last for weeks or months, whereas a cold often settles within 1 to 2 weeks. A high temperature, feeling generally unwell or symptoms outside the expected pattern may point to another cause.
A focused GP assessment
Treat the pattern—not just today’s symptoms.
A GP can distinguish a seasonal pollen pattern from year-round allergic rhinitis, review asthma and refine a plan when over-the-counter treatment has not been enough.
Explore GP appointments01
Map the timing.
When symptoms start, how long they last and whether they follow tree, grass or weed pollen seasons—or occur around pets, dust, mould or work exposure.
02
Understand the impact.
Nose, eye and throat symptoms, sleep, school or work, exercise, asthma symptoms and any warning signs that do not fit uncomplicated hay fever.
03
Review what you have tried.
Exact products, dose, duration, spray technique, consistency, side effects, other medicines and whether a different or combined approach may be suitable.
Layer the treatment
Match each symptom with a purpose.
Hay fever treatment often works best when exposure reduction and medicines are planned together. Adding products without checking active ingredients can duplicate treatment or increase side effects.
01
Reduce pollen exposure
Check the pollen forecast, shower and change after being outdoors, keep windows closed when counts are high, damp-dust and consider wraparound sunglasses or a barrier around the nostrils.
02
Target allergy symptoms
Antihistamine tablets, liquids, drops or sprays may help. Non-drowsy options are usually preferred, but any antihistamine can affect some people, so check the label and do not drive if drowsy.
03
Control nasal inflammation
A steroid nasal spray may be suitable for persistent nasal symptoms. It needs correct, regular use and can take several days—sometimes 2 weeks or more—to reach its full effect.
Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for longer than 5 days because they can make blockage worse, and they should not be used by children under 6. Check the product leaflet and ask a pharmacist if uncertain.
Plan for the season
Consistency matters more than last-minute rescue.
If a treatment is meant for regular use, follow the label or agreed plan rather than waiting until symptoms are at their worst. Review technique before deciding that a nasal spray has failed, and allow the recommended time for it to work.
On high-pollen days, limit avoidable exposure, keep doors and windows closed where practical, avoid drying clothes outside, shower and change after being outdoors, and keep smoke away because it can worsen symptoms.
Check the Met Office pollen forecast ↗Good to know
Questions about hay fever care.
Clear answers for choosing treatment and knowing when to step up care.
How can I tell hay fever from a cold?
Hay fever often brings itching, repeated sneezing and watery eyes and can last for weeks or months in a seasonal pattern. A cold commonly settles within 1 to 2 weeks. Fever or feeling generally unwell is not a typical hay fever pattern and may need review.
Can hay fever be assessed by video?
Yes. A video or telephone appointment can often cover symptom timing, previous treatment, other medicines and asthma. An in-person examination may be advised if the diagnosis is uncertain or another problem needs to be excluded. Explore remote GP formats.
Which antihistamine is best?
No single antihistamine works best for everyone. A pharmacist can consider your main symptoms, age, medicines, health conditions and whether avoiding drowsiness is important. Always follow the label.
Can I take treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Ask a pharmacist or GP before starting or changing treatment. They can recommend an option with an appropriate safety profile and consider any other medicines or conditions.
What if my child has hay fever?
Use only a product suitable for your child's age and dose. Ask a pharmacist or clinician if uncertain, and remember that decongestant nasal sprays or drops should not be used in children under 6.
When is immunotherapy considered?
If severe hay fever remains uncontrolled despite appropriate treatment, a GP may refer you for specialist assessment. Immunotherapy uses carefully controlled exposure to pollen by injection or tablet and usually begins before the pollen season.
Clinical information: NHS hay feverNHS allergic rhinitisNHS antihistaminesNHS beclometasone nasal sprayNHS anaphylaxis. This information is general and does not replace individual medical advice.