​Hay Fever guide

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As we enter spring, the hay fever season begins and currently tree pollens are the cause of your symptoms (see pollen calendar). The most common symptoms are runny, itchy and blocked nose, but also itchy eyes.

Things you can do to help:

1. When you come inside in the evening have a shower to wash off the pollen and change your clothes.

2. Close your windows as pollen levels are greatest at dusk & dawn.

3. Try avoid leaving washing outside to dry (they will collect pollen).

4. Use a barrier cream like Vaseline in your nostrils to stop some of the pollens entering.

5. Use wrap around sun glasses.

There are lots of safe medicines that can help. Ideally start them 2 weeks before your hay fever season starts. They work well together.

Antihistamines: Stick to the non-sedating antihistamines (Cetirizine, Loratidine and Fexofenadine). They are very good for runny, itchy symptoms but not so good for blocked nose symptoms. In children, I often recommend giving one dose in the morning and another in the evening (so double the dose-especially if symptoms are bad). Please avoid using sedating antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine (Piriton).

Nasal Sprays: Nasal steroid sprays are very good for itchy, runny and blocked nose symptoms and are very safe. In children I recommend Fluticasone or Mometasone nasal sprays as very little is absorbed by the body and they work locally. Use them with the correct technique- see  https://www.itchysneezywheezy.co.uk. They can be bought over the counter and prescribed by GPs in younger children.

Eye drops: Sodium Chromoglycate eye drops do help.

If your symptoms are still a problem despite this, then pollen desensitisation is an option in specialist clinics. Avoid steroid (Kenalog) injections due to safety concerns.

Have a great spring and summer!

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dr Gary Stiefel

Consultant in Paediatric Allergy

Shelford Resident

Posted March 30 2025