Is your baby or child sniffling their way through the spring and summer months? …read moreSee less
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What causes hay fever?
Hayfever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people.
It usually affects people in the spring and summer when plants start to release pollen, a fine powder let out by plants as part of their reproductive cycle.
The proteins in pollen can cause your nose, throat, eyes and sinuses to become swollen and inflamed.
The main three types of pollen that can trigger allergic reactions are tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen.
What is hay fever?
Hayfever is a common allergy that usually affects people in the spring and summer when plants start to release pollen, a very fine powder that is part of the plant’s reproductive system.
The proteins in pollen can cause your nose, throat, eyes and sinuses to become swollen and inflamed.
Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September in the UK, when the pollen count is at its highest.
Symptoms of hay fever include:
- Sneezing and coughing
- A runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around the temples and forehead
- Headache or earache
- Feeling tired
If you also suffer from asthma, hay fever can also cause a tight feeling in your chest, shortness of breath or wheezing and coughing.
Are hay fever tablets safe for children?
Hay fever tablets are often suitable for children aged 6 and over.
However, you should check the packaging or patient information leaflet before giving any medicine to your child to be sure that it’s appropriate for their age.
If your child is too young to take hay fever tablets, there are allergy syrups available that are usually more appropriate for children, with some being available for kids aged 2 and up.
What’s the best hay fever nasal spray?
If you’re struggling with your allergies, a nasal spray may help to relieve your symptoms.
If your nose is blocked, try a decongestant spray; it can shrink the swollen blood vessels in your nose that cause congestion, leaving your airways clear so you can breathe easily.
An antihistamine spray typically causes less drowsiness than its tablet counterpart and is a good solution to ease congestion, itchiness and sneezing.
Finally, there are steroid nasal sprays, which are often the best nasal spray for allergies such as (but not limited to) hay fever.
They help to alleviate a runny nose, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing and itching, but it can take up to a week to notice a difference.
