Hay fever season has started: Are you ready?
If you've already started sneezing, have itchy eyes, or feel congested, you're not alone. Seasonal allergy season has begun, and for many people across the UK, symptoms can arrive earlier than expected.
By the time hay fever is in full swing, pollen levels are already high, and symptoms can be harder to control. So the question worth asking is: have you started treatment yet?
When does seasonal allergy season actually start?
Seasonal allergies don't begin at the same time for everyone. In the UK, symptoms often start in early spring with tree pollen, followed by grass pollen as we move into late spring and summer. Weed pollen can then extend symptoms into late summer and early autumn.
Many people associate hay fever with the height of summer, but the reality is that symptoms often begin weeks or even months earlier, particularly for those sensitive to tree pollen such as birch, alder, or hazel. If you find yourself reaching for tissues in February or March, tree pollen is a likely culprit.
Why your symptoms may start earlier or last longer than you expect
If your symptoms seem to appear earlier each year, or drag on for months rather than weeks, there's usually a straightforward explanation.
Some people are sensitive to more than one type of pollen. If you react to both tree and grass pollen, for example, your symptoms can overlap across seasons, making it feel as though hay fever never quite goes away. Others may also have sensitivities to indoor allergens such as house dust mites or pet dander, which can blur the boundary between seasonal and year-round symptoms.
This is often why hay fever doesn't follow a neat pattern, and why some people feel as though they're always affected in some way.
Why timing your treatment matters
One of the most common mistakes people make is waiting until symptoms are at their worst before reaching for treatment.
In reality, many hay fever treatments work best when started early, ideally before symptoms fully develop. Taking a proactive approach can reduce the severity of your symptoms and make day-to-day life during the season much more manageable.
Nasal corticosteroid sprays, for instance, need time to build up their anti-inflammatory effect. Starting them a couple of weeks before your usual symptom onset can make a significant difference to how well they work when pollen counts peak.
Is it too late to start treatment now?
The short answer is no. Even if your symptoms have already started, treatment can still help to reduce inflammation, improve comfort, and support better sleep and concentration.
That said, earlier treatment generally leads to better control. If you find yourself in this position year after year, it's worth thinking about a plan for next season rather than playing catch-up each time.
The standard toolkit: what most people try first
Most people begin with treatments designed to control symptoms as they arise. The main options include:
- Antihistamines are typically the first line of defence, helping to block the histamine response that causes sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. Modern antihistamines are non-drowsy and can be taken daily throughout the season.
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and are particularly effective for congestion and blocked nose symptoms. They work best with consistent daily use rather than occasional doses.
- Eye drops can provide targeted relief for itchy, watery, or red eyes, which for many people are among the most bothersome hay fever symptoms.
For milder symptoms, these treatments are often sufficient. For more persistent or severe hay fever, they may not provide enough relief on their own.
A note on the "hay fever jab"
You may have heard of the so-called "hay fever jab," which is a steroid injection sometimes offered for severe symptoms.
While it can provide short-term relief, it's not routinely recommended because of potential side effects from systemic steroid use. Importantly, it also doesn't address the underlying cause of the allergy. It's a temporary measure, not a long-term solution.
A different approach: treating the cause, not just the symptoms
For people whose symptoms return every year, are not well controlled with standard treatments, or significantly affect quality of life, there is an approach that works differently.
Allergen immunotherapy is designed to address the root cause of an allergy rather than simply managing its symptoms. It works by gradually exposing the immune system to small, controlled amounts of the allergen over time, helping the body become less reactive to it.
Think of it as retraining your immune system. Instead of overreacting every time it encounters pollen, the immune system learns to tolerate it. This can lead to a meaningful reduction in symptom severity, less reliance on daily medications, and benefits that last for years after completing the treatment.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): treatment you take at home
One of the most accessible forms of immunotherapy is sublingual immunotherapy, commonly known as SLIT. This involves placing a tablet or drops containing a small amount of allergen extract under the tongue each day.
The treatment is taken at home as part of your daily routine. There are no injections involved, which makes it a practical option for many patients, including children, where appropriate.
Treatment begins with a supervised first dose in the clinic, where you're shown exactly how to take it and monitored to ensure it's well-tolerated. After that, it becomes a simple daily routine at home.
SLIT is typically continued for around three years to achieve lasting improvement. Many patients begin to notice benefits within the first season of treatment, with continued improvement over time. Because the immune system develops lasting memory, the benefits often persist for years after the course is completed.
There are SLIT products available for both grass pollen and different tree pollen allergies, as well as for house dust mite, cat, dog, horse and weeds allergies. Your allergist can advise on which formulation is most appropriate for your specific triggers.
Starting immunotherapy: timing and what to expect
Ideally, SLIT is started before the allergy season begins, giving your immune system time to begin building tolerance. For grass pollen sufferers, this might mean starting treatment in the winter months. For tree pollen, even earlier.
However, if symptoms have already started, it's still worth having an assessment. This allows you to understand exactly what's triggering your symptoms, improve control for this season with appropriate medication, and put a plan in place to start immunotherapy ahead of next year.
Hay fever in children: signs you might not expect
In children, hay fever is often overlooked because the symptoms don't always present in the ways adults might expect.
Rather than frequent sneezing, you may notice poor sleep, irritability, difficulty concentrating at school, or a persistent blocked nose that doesn't seem to be linked to a cold. Some children rub their nose constantly or develop dark circles under their eyes from chronic nasal congestion.
These subtle signs can have a real impact on daily life, affecting mood, energy, behaviour, and academic performance. If your child seems to struggle at the same time each year, seasonal allergies are well worth considering as a possible cause.
Addressing symptoms early can help prevent them from escalating. For children with ongoing or severe symptoms, longer-term approaches such as immunotherapy may also be considered, with licensed treatments available for children from the age of five.
Not all hay fever is the same
One of the most important things to understand about hay fever is that it's not a single condition with a single treatment. Some people react to grass pollen, others to tree pollen, and many to a combination of triggers. The timing, severity, and pattern of symptoms can vary enormously from person to person.
Understanding exactly what's causing your symptoms is the key to choosing the most effective treatment. This is where proper allergy testing makes a real difference. Rather than guessing which pollen is the problem, skin prick testing or specific IgE blood tests can identify your precise triggers.
With that information, your treatment can be tailored accordingly, whether that means targeted medication, avoidance strategies, or a longer-term approach such as immunotherapy.
Take control of your symptoms this season
Seasonal allergy season has already begun, but it's not too late to take action. Whether you're looking to manage your symptoms more effectively now or explore longer-term solutions, the first step is to understand what's triggering your allergies and make a plan.
Book a consultation to get personalised advice and take control of your symptoms this season and beyond.
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