What is hayfever?
Hayfever is the common name for allergic rhinitis. It is an allergic reaction to allergens, or triggers, breathed in through the nose. When one of these allergens is breathed in, there is an immune response in the lining of the nose. This causes the nasal passages to become swollen and inflamed. Symptoms occurring mainly in spring and summer are usually triggered by pollen from grasses, weeds and trees. When problems occur all year, they are usually triggered by house dust mite, animal dander (tiny scales shed from animal skin or hair) or mould spores.
Is there a link between asthma and hayfever?
Asthma and hayfever are closely linked, and approximately 80% of people with asthma also suffer from hayfever. Research reveals that treating hayfever can reduce asthma related emergency department visits and hospitalisations.
What are the symptoms of hayfever?
The main symptoms of hayfever are:
- Blocked nose
- Watery, runny nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal itching
- Watery eyes
Hayfever can also cause:
- Headaches
- Impaired sense of smell
- Swollen and/or itchy eyes
Top tips for people with hayfever
- In people who have hayfever and asthma, effective treatment of hayfever is important to help keep your asthma under control
- Find out what triggers your hayfever and try to avoid those allergens
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the most effective medication for persistent hayfever, or moderate to severe hayfever that occurs from time to time
- People with hayfever severe enough to affect everyday activities are likely to need long-term preventer nasal medication
How is hayfever diagnosed?
A doctor will assess whether you have hayfever, by considering symptoms, finding out about your environment, doing a physical examination, checking asthma control and investigating allergies. Skin prick testing and blood tests may be recommended by your doctor, to confirm which triggers set off your hayfever.
How is hayfever treated?
Although there is currently no cure for hayfever, symptoms can be effectively managed or prevented. Treatment options include:
- Avoiding triggers
- Using medications
- Immunotherapy
Avoiding triggers
Avoiding allergic triggers means trying to avoid the allergen, or reducing exposure if possible. Identify what triggers your hayfever by reviewing past experiences and getting a referral from your doctor for an allergy test. Once you confirm what your triggers are, your doctor or the Asthma Foundation can help with practical tips on how to reduce exposure to those triggers.
Using hayfever medications
Medications can treat symptoms of hayfever. Different medications are available as prescription or non-prescription medication. Not all medications treat every symptom of hayfever equally. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the medication best suited to treat your symptom/s.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
Corticosteroid nasal sprays can help prevent or reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose. These medications are very effective for people with severe and prolonged symptoms. They are usually more effective than antihistamines when a blocked nose and mucus are the major problems. They need to be taken regularly as directed to be most effective.
Antihistamine tablets
Antihistamines help to relieve runny nose, sneezing, itching and eye symptoms, but are less effective in relieving nasal symptoms, particularly a blocked nose. Newer antihistamines are less likely to make you drowsy. These are the most common choice for people with mild or occasional hayfever. They are available as tablets or a nasal spray.
Decongestant nasal sprays and tablets
These medications are used to unblock the nose. They should never be taken for more than a few days at a time. If your symptoms continue and your medication is not effective, talk to your doctor.
Saline irrigations
Your doctor may recommend that you use a salt water (saline) solution daily to help clear your nose and soothe the lining of the nose. Various types are available.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy involves exposing a person to gradually increasing amounts of allergic material, usually given by injection over a period of years. Over time, it reduces the immune system’s tendency to overreact to an allergen. Immunotherapy is usually only considered for people with severe hayfever. To find out if this treatment option might work for you, you need to be referred to a specialist.