The hay fever mistake that could be making your symptoms worse
One of the most common ways to treat hay fever might actually be doing more harm than good.
One of the most common ways to treat hay fever might actually be doing more harm than good.
Hay fever is often dismissed as a minor seasonal irritation that you simply have to put up with. A few sneezes, itchy eyes, a permanently disgruntled nose. Unpleasant, yes, but hardly serious.
However, hay fever is not as minor as people sometimes assume. British allergy specialists say that allergic rhinitis affects around 26% of adults in the UK and can have a real impact on quality of life, as well as work and school attendance.
But the belief that it’s a minor condition means that many people do not manage it particularly well.
According to Dr Lucy Hooper, co-founder of London-based private medical practice Coyne Medical, one of the most common mistakes is waiting until symptoms are at their worst before doing anything about them.
Again and again, Dr Hooper sees people taking antihistamines only when their symptoms become unbearable, rather than treating hay fever regularly throughout the season.
“Only taking antihistamine tablets on ‘bad’ hay fever days” is a common error, she says: “Regular treatment throughout the season is far more effective at keeping symptoms under control.”
It is one of those slightly irritating truths: by the time you feel dreadful, you are already playing catch-up.
And it is not just antihistamines. Steroid nasal sprays can take two weeks or more to reach their full benefit, according to the NHS, with allergy specialists advising starting them before the pollen season if possible. In other words, if you only reach for treatment once your eyes are streaming and you cannot stop sneezing, you are already later than ideal.
Not all antihistamines are created equal, either. It’s easy to reach for whichever box is cheapest, closest or most familiar, but the evidence suggests that some work better than others. Research published in 2023 found clear differences in how effective oral antihistamines were at relieving symptoms, which may help explain why one person swears by a particular brand while another says it does very little.
The response to antihistamines is also highly individual, so if one is not helping, it may be worth trying another rather than writing off the whole category.
Antihistamines can be enough for milder hay fever symptoms, especially sneezing, itching and a runny nose, but they are often less effective for a blocked nose or more persistent symptoms, where regular steroid nasal sprays may work better.
“Taking tablets infrequently is often not enough,” says Dr Hooper. “Using a regular steroid nasal spray alongside eye drops, either from a pharmacy or prescribed by a doctor, is usually much more effective.”
If hay fever flares up every year and you are tired of feeling permanently under siege, a few straightforward habits can help.
“Keeping windows closed at night or using an air filter can really help,” says Dr Hooper. “It allows your body to rest in a lower-pollen environment and gives symptoms a chance to settle.”
Even when it’s not particularly bright outside, and especially on windy days, Dr Hooper says that wearing sunglasses can help reduce the amount of pollen that gets into your eyes.
“Using targeted treatments for the worst symptoms, such as nasal sprays and eye drops, is often more effective than relying on oral antihistamines alone,” says Dr Hooper.
Hay fever is often treated as one of those seasonal nuisances you are simply expected to put up with, along with wasps and people saying “nice to see a bit of sun” during a heatwave.
But if it is affecting your sleep, concentration or day-to-day life, it is worth taking seriously.
“If symptoms are not improving with over-the-counter treatments, it’s important to see your doctor to discuss further options, particularly if symptoms are affecting your daily functioning at work or school,” says Dr Hooper. “Some patients may be suitable for treatments such as immunotherapy.”
She says people should also get advice if hay fever seems to be aggravating other health issues.
“Hay fever can also worsen other conditions, particularly asthma,” says Dr Hooper. “If you experience breathing difficulties, a persistent cough, wheezing or recurrent sinus symptoms, you should seek medical advice, as further treatment or assessment may be needed.”
(Hero image credit: Getty)
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