Hay fever is very common—here’s how to get relief. (2024)

Hay fever, officially known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen, pet dander, mold, or other allergens. Allergic rhinitis symptoms include sneezing and runny nose, watery eyes, and itchiness. These symptoms happen when your body encounters the allergen, and your immune system mistakenly thinks it’s a threat.

Some people with hay fever experience it as seasonal allergies (like with a pollen allergy), while others have symptoms year round, whenever they encounter the substance they’re allergic to.

Understanding Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for hay fever. Interestingly, allergies can’t actually cause a fever. However, the term hay fever was first used by a doctor in 1819, and it’s been common since.

Hay fever occurs when the body’s immune system perceives a harmless substance, such as pollen or pet hair, as a threat. The body then stages an immune response, which triggers hay fever symptoms like sneezing and runny nose. Hay fever is common: more than 1 in 4 American adults experience it.

Some people experience hay fever seasonally. If you have seasonal allergies, you’ll get hay fever when the substance you’re allergic to is more common in the environment, like tree pollen in the spring, fire smoke in the summer, and ragweed in the fall.

Other people have perennial allergic rhinitis, or year-round hay fever. This is usually triggered by substances always present in their environment like dust mites, pet dander, bugs, or mold.

Common Triggers of Hay Fever

Hay fever has many causes and can be triggered by indoor or outdoor allergens. That can make it difficult to pinpoint exactly what you’re allergic to. Keeping a diary of your symptoms and when they occur might help. Notice whether you experience seasonal allergies or year-round allergic rhinitis.

The most common triggers of seasonal allergies are spores from plants, including:

• Tree pollen (present in the early spring)
• Grass pollen (in the early summer)
• Ragweed (in the fall)
• Mold (in the fall)

Common triggers of perennial allergic rhinitis include:

• Pet hair or dander
• Dust mites
• Mold
• co*ckroaches

Some people also experience irritation similar to hay fever in reaction to pollutants or chemicals, including:

• Smoke from fires
• Cigarette and other second-hand smoke
• Air fresheners
• Perfume, hair spray, and other strongly-scented items
• Smog and other environmental pollutants
• Cleaning sprays
• Pool chemicals, including chlorine

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hay fever are sneezing and a runny nose. Some people also experience congestion in their nose and post-nasal drip. Other common symptoms include:

• Itchiness in the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat
• Red, watery, and swollen eyes and eyelids
• Cough
• Sore throat

These primary symptoms can lead to secondary symptoms and impacts, including:

• Lower ability to concentrate, focus, and make decisions
• Fatigue and listlessness
• Memory trouble
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Missing school or work
• Increased risk for injuries and accidents, including car accidents

How to Tell If You Have Hay Fever

If you experience symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose that come on suddenly, you may be experiencing hay fever. Take note of when and where you experience symptoms, and talk with your healthcare provider about diagnosing hay fever. Remember, although seasonal allergies are common, they are treatable, and you don’t need to live with symptoms.

Collecting the following information can help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis:

• When symptoms occur (including time of the day and time of the year)
• Where symptoms occur (inside or outside; at home or work)
• What symptoms you experience
• What, if anything, helps you get relief

Hay Fever or Common Cold?

A common cold and hay fever can cause a stuffy, runny nose and sore throat without an actual fever. That can make it difficult to tell the two conditions apart. However, the two conditions do feel slightly different. One way to tell the conditions apart is that a cold can lead to general body aches and pain, which allergies rarely do. On the other hand, itchiness throughout the face, nose, and mouth is common with allergies but not with colds.

Another hint is how long symptoms last. Colds typically don’t last for longer than two weeks, but allergies can last as long as you’re exposed to the substance you’re allergic to.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Although allergies can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications, you should talk with your healthcare provider if you experience hay fever. Your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis and help create a treatment plan that will work for you.

How Allergies Are Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will first ask about your history of hay fever and when you experience symptoms. To identify what you’re allergic to, they’ll likely recommend allergy testing. The most common is skin testing, where a small amount of allergen is put onto your skin, to see how your body reacts. In rarer cases, your healthcare provider may order a blood test to confirm your allergy.

Can Hay Fever Cause Complications?

The primary symptoms of hay fever can lead to secondary symptoms and complications. Ear infections, sinus infections, and worsening asthma can all be complications of hay fever, especially if it’s chronic.

In addition, hay fever can lead to poor sleep, irritability, and trouble making decisions. This can impact performance at school or work and leave you at a higher risk of being in an accident.

Self-Care Methods and Devices to Reduce Symptoms

Home remedies for allergies play a big role in treating hay fever symptoms. The biggest change is avoiding your allergen when possible. Here’s how:

• Avoid your allergen when possible.
• Use an air purifier indoors
• Keep windows closed when allergy counts are high outside
• Wear sunglasses outside to reduce exposure
• Wash your face and hands when you come indoors; shower at night before bed
• Change bed linens often

Medications for Hay Fever

Over-the-counter medications and prescription medications are very effective at treating hay fever. The medications that are available include:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Nasal antihistamine sprays

Long-Term Allergy Treatment: Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, commonly delivered via allergy shots, is a long-term solution for allergies. It introduces the allergen to your body to train your immune system not to react to it.

Summary

Hay fever is a common name for allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction characterized by sneezing and runny nose, itchy, water-eyes, and a sore throat. You might also know this as seasonal allergies, although some people experience allergies year round due to dust, pet dander, or other triggers.

The best way to treat hay fever symptoms is by avoiding the substance that you’re allergic to, but that’s often easier said than done. Speak with your healthcare provider, who can help create a treatment plan. Remember, although hay fever is very common, you don’t have to live with the symptoms.