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Hayfever
Self care for hayfever sufferers
You may find the following self-care advice for hay fever helpful:
There are medicines available that can ease common hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy or runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. Some are only suitable for adults. You should ask your pharmacist for advice before buying any of the medicines below for a child.
- Antihistamines can relieve many of the symptoms of mild hay fever, such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Antihistamines are available over-the-counter from your local pharmacist, who will be able to advise which would be most suitable for you (find your local pharmacist).
- A steroid nasal spray may ease a blocked or runny nose. Some are available over-the-counter from your local pharmacist (find your local pharmacist).
- Eye drops may help relieve itchy or watery eyes. Some are available over-the-counter from your local pharmacist (find your local pharmacist).
- If these treatments have no effect and your hay fever remains bad, you should make an appointment to see your GP. Your GP may be able to prescribe other, stronger medicines that may help.
Although it’s impossible to avoid pollen completely, with some sensible precautions you should be able to reduce the amount of pollen you come into contact with each day. This should help ease your hay fever symptoms further.
The ‘pollen count’ measures the number of pollen grains in the air. A pollen count forecast is often included with TV, radio, internet and newspaper weather forecasts. Try to stay indoors on days when the pollen count is high. The pollen count is also highest in the early evening, so staying indoors at this time of the day can help.
You can also try the following:
- Keep windows and doors shut to keep pollen out of your house or office. If it gets too warm, try drawing the shades or curtains to keep the sun out and the temperature down.
- In the car, keep the windows closed and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents.
- When you are outdoors, wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes.
- Bathing your eyes with plain cold water can help if they are itchy or sore. Wash your hands first.
- Avoid cutting grass, or walking or playing in grassy areas. If your hay fever is severe, consider wearing a face mask when you are outdoors to filter out the pollen.
- Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen from your body.
- Keep fresh flowers out of the house.
- Dust (with a damp cloth) and vacuum regularly. Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter can help (a HEPA filter removes 99.9% of pollen particles from the air that passes through it).
- Smoking or breathing in other people’s smoke can irritate the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways and make hay fever symptoms worse. Avoid places with a smoky atmosphere and stop other people from smoking in your house. If you are a smoker, try to cut down or quit.
You should contact us if:
- Your symptoms get worse
- You develop new symptoms
- You are still worried or need further advice.
