Home treatment for hay fever

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is an allergic response to airborne particles such as pollen. It can cause sneezing, an itchy or blocked nose, watery eyes, throat irritation, and a cough caused by mucus draining backwards. Symptoms may follow a seasonal pattern or occur around a particular outdoor trigger.

Eye symptoms can occur alongside nasal symptoms. Fever, marked facial pain, thick discharge, or symptoms that keep worsening may point to another condition rather than hay fever alone.

Keep windows closed when pollen exposure is high, shower or change clothes after being outdoors, and avoid drying clothes outside during troublesome periods. Saline nasal rinsing may clear irritants when performed with safe, prepared water and clean equipment.

A pharmacist can help you choose an antihistamine, nasal spray, or eye treatment suited to your age, health, and other medicines. Nasal sprays work best when used with correct technique and regularity. Avoid using a decongestant spray for longer than its label allows because congestion can rebound.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, swelling of the mouth or throat, faintness, or rapidly worsening symptoms. Arrange a GP review if treatment is not controlling symptoms, sleep is disturbed, you develop persistent wheeze, or facial pain and nasal discharge suggest sinus disease.

Ask which treatment fits your symptoms, how to use a nasal spray, whether your cough or wheeze needs assessment, and how to tell hay fever apart from sinus or chest problems.