Hay Fever Season
Symptoms, Causes and How to Survive Allergy Season
For some people, what’s considered ‘hay fever season’ arrives with warmer weather, longer days, and a smile on their faces.
For others, it arrives with dread, anticipating a blocked nose, itchy eyes, and an endless packet of tissues.
Hay fever is common in Australia. Symptoms can range from mildly annoying to disruptive enough to affect your sleep, exercise, work, and everyday activities. Being aware of your triggers and preparing in advance can help you handle allergy season easier.
Here is what you need to know about hay fever symptoms, common triggers, treatment options and practical ways to reduce your exposure to pollen.
What Is Hay Fever?
Despite its name, hay fever has nothing to do with hay and does not cause a fever.
Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis, a condition that occurs when your immune system reacts to substances in the environment. These substances, known as allergens, include pollen from grasses, trees and weeds, as well as mould, dust mites and animal dander.
When you breathe in an allergen, you’re sensitive to, your immune system releases chemicals like histamine. This triggers the familiar symptoms of hay fever, particularly around your nose and eyes.
Hay fever is different from a cold, although the two can feel quite similar. A virus causes a cold, while hay fever is an allergic response. Itchy, watery eyes are particularly common with seasonal allergies, while a cold is more likely to involve a sore throat, cough, or a general feeling of being unwell. Allergy symptoms also continue for as long as you are exposed to the trigger.
What Causes Hay Fever?
Pollen is one of the main causes of seasonal hay fever.
Grass, tree and weed pollen can all trigger symptoms. The amount of pollen in the air can change from one day to the next, depending partly on weather conditions.
You may notice symptoms become worse after:
Spending a long time outdoors
Gardening
Mowing the lawn
Walking through grassy areas
Being outside on windy days
Spending time around flowering plants
Opening windows when pollen levels are high
Another trigger you may not immediately think about is your pet.
Dogs and cats can carry pollen indoors on their fur after spending time outside. This does not necessarily mean your pet is the problem. Instead, pollen picked up outdoors may add to your exposure.
When Is Hay Fever Season?
There is no single hay fever season across Australia because pollen levels vary depend on where you live and what plants are flowering.
The ACT and WA report the highest rates of allergic rhinitis, while Queensland and NSW sit at the lower end. Your location truly makes a difference. Dry, windy days are usually the worst for pollen counts.
On occasion, rain can help settle things, though not always, and in Victoria there's a serious issue: when a build-up of grass pollen meets a certain kind of thunderstorm, the pollen bursts apart into tiny particles that get driven deep into the lungs.
It's called thunderstorm asthma; it's rare, and health authorities take it seriously enough to issue warnings each spring.
If pollen's been getting the better of you, it's worth checking your local forecast (the Melbourne Pollen Count is a good one, and most state health departments run their own alerts) before you plan your big day out.
Common Hay Fever Symptoms
Hay fever can make you feel like you have a cold that simply refuses to leave.
Common hay fever symptoms include:
Frequent sneezing
Runny or itchy nose
Blocked nose
Itchy, watery or red eyes
Itchy throat
Needing to clear your throat
Post-nasal drip
Mouth breathing or snoring
Tiredness and poor sleep
For some people, the biggest problem is not the sneezing itself. It is what happens afterwards.
A blocked nose can make sleeping difficult, leaving you tired the next day. Persistent symptoms may also make it harder to concentrate at work, enjoy exercise or spend time outdoors.
How to Manage Hay Fever Season
You don't have to stay indoors all spring. A few practical changes can help managing hay fever.
Reduce pollen exposure
On high-pollen or particularly windy days, consider keeping windows and doors closed where practical. After spending time outdoors, showering and changing your clothes can help remove pollen from your skin and clothing.
Sunglasses can also reduce the amount of pollen that reaches your eyes when you are outside.
If pollen allergy is a known trigger, consider drying clothes and bedding indoors during high-pollen periods. It may also help to use recirculated air in your car when pollen levels are high.
Gardening can be a challenge. Mowing the lawn or working with plants can bring on symptoms. Reducing your exposure or getting someone else to do these tasks during peak pollen periods might be the best option.
Consider hay fever treatment
Antihistamines can help relieve allergy symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes. They are available in different forms, including tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops.
Nasal sprays can also be useful. Corticosteroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation and can take several days to take full effect, so use them as directed or on your healthcare professional's advice.
Saline nasal sprays can provide another option for relieving nasal symptoms.
If you are considering over-the-counter hay fever remedies, check the label carefully and ask your pharmacist if you are unsure which product is appropriate.
Some people with significant or persistent spring allergies may also be considered for allergen immunotherapy. This specialist treatment gradually exposes the body to an allergen to reduce its allergic response and is not suitable for everyone.
The important thing is not to put up with symptoms that affect your everyday life.
When Should You See a doctor?
Hay fever is common, but persistent symptoms should not automatically be dismissed as something you have to live with.
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
Your symptoms are persistent or not improving
Hay fever is regularly disturbing your sleep
Symptoms are affecting work, exercise or everyday activities
You have significant nasal congestion
You are unsure whether an allergy causes your symptoms
You develop wheezing, coughing or breathing difficulties
You have asthma and notice it becoming harder to control during pollen season
Pollen can trigger asthma symptoms in some people, and thunderstorms during periods of high grass pollen can increase risk in susceptible people.
A doctor can also arrange allergy testing when appropriate to help identify the allergens responsible for your symptoms.
Make Hay Fever Season More Manageable
Hay fever can turn a beautiful spring day into a frustrating one, but you don’t necessarily have to retreat indoors until summer is over.
Knowing your triggers is a good starting point. Monitoring pollen levels, limiting exposure on high-pollen days, showering after being outdoors and choosing the best treatment can help you manage symptoms.
FAQs
Can weather affect hay fever symptoms?
Definitely. Warm, dry and windy days tend to push pollen counts up, while rain often knocks pollen levels down. However, a specific type of thunderstorm can occasionally do the opposite and trigger a sharp spike in symptoms.
How long does hay fever season last?
It varies depending on where you live and which pollen triggers your symptoms. In Australia, grass pollen levels are commonly highest between late September and December, but tree, grass and weed pollen seasons can vary by location and plant species. Some people experience allergic rhinitis year-round due to indoor allergens such as dust mites, mould, or animal dander.
Can hay fever develop later in life?
Yes. Allergies can occur at different stages of life, so symptoms can develop later on. If you suddenly develop symptoms that resemble hay fever, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your doctor, particularly if you are unsure of the cause.
Can foods worsen allergy symptoms?
Hay fever is caused by environmental allergens like pollen, not by food. Some people with pollen allergies can react to some raw fruits or vegetables because pollen proteins cross-react with food proteins.
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