Hay fever can be a frustrating condition, but with the right strategies and treatments, you can manage your symptoms effectively.
Start by following the self-care tips to limit your exposure to pollen and consider using over-the-counter treatments.
Self-Help Tips to Protect Against Pollen Exposure
When spending time outdoors, try to protect yourself from pollen as much as possible.
Hats and sunglasses. Wearing a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses to help keep pollen out of your eyes.
Avoid direct contact with pollen. Wearing long sleeves and trousers to reduce skin exposure.
Change clothes after being outdoors. Pollen can stick to clothing, so change into clean clothes after being outside.
Shower and wash your face. Rinsing pollen off your skin and hair can reduce symptoms. Try to avoid rubbing your eyes as this causes the pollens to be forced into the eyes and can worsen the eye irritation suffered.
Use a saline nasal wash. Saline nasal sprays or washes can help rinse pollen and other allergens out of your nasal passages.
Long hair. Tie it back to stop pollens brushing into the eyes and nose when caught on hair.
Stay Indoors When Pollen Counts Are High. Pollen levels are typically highest from dawn to around 10am and in the evening. If you can, stay inside during these times, particularly on dry, windy days.
Keep Windows Closed. Keeping windows closed prevents pollen from entering your home.
Use Air Purifiers. Air purifiers with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne pollen indoors.
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Hay Fever
Over-the-counter treatments from pharmacies to help manage symptoms.
Antihistamines. Antihistamines are one of the most commonly used medications for hay fever. They work by blocking histamine, a substance in the body that causes allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
Nasal Sprays. These sprays work directly at the source of the problem, reducing swelling in the nasal passages and relieving congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.
They are very effective for long-term management of symptoms and can be used daily during pollen season.
Eye Drops. Help relieve itchy, watery eyes.
Decongestants. Are effective at relieving a blocked nose, helping you breathe more easily.
Why a Blocked Nose Can Cause Sore Eyes
The link between your nose and eyes. The nose and eyes are connected through the nasolacrimal duct, which is responsible for draining tears from the eyes into the nose. When your nose becomes congested due to hay fever, this drainage system is blocked, and your eyes can become watery and irritated.
Blocked nasal passages also contribute to post-nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat), which can exacerbate irritation in the eyes and nose.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While over-the-counter treatments and self-care measures can effectively manage hay fever for most people, there are certain situations where you may need to see a doctor:
Persistent or severe symptoms. If your symptoms are not improving despite using treatments, or if they are interfering significantly with your daily life.
Asthma-related complications. If you have asthma and your symptoms worsen or become harder to control during hay fever season, seek medical advice.
Infection: If you develop symptoms such as a thick green nasal discharge, fever, or facial pain, this could indicate a secondary infection like sinusitis.
For more information about hay fever and treatment options, visit the NHS hay fever page.