The hay fever mistake which could be making your symptoms worse, from Saga, 2026 04 14

[Colin Howard]

Greetings,

Most years, I have no problems with hay fever, rarely do I suffer with polan
problems, even as a young child. However, in Spring 1975 and early summer
1976, I did have an unusually runny nose and kept sneezing but far as I
recall, these are the only two times. In those days, I was smoking a pipe
which would not have helped me.

One of the most common ways to treat hay fever might actually be doing more
harm than good.
By Jayne Cherrington-Cook | Published - 7 Apr 2026

Hay fever is often dismissed as a minor seasonal irritation you simply have
to put up with. A few sneezes, itchy eyes, a permanently disgruntled nose.
Unpleasant, yes, but hardly serious.

However, hay fever is not as minor as people sometimes assume. British
allergy specialists say allergic rhinitis affects around 26% of adults in
the UK and can have a real impact on quality of life, as well as work and
school attendance.

But the belief it's a minor condition means many people do not manage it
particularly well.

According to Dr Lucy Hooper, co-founder of London-based private medical
practice Coyne Medical, one of the most common mistakes is waiting until
symptoms are at their worst before doing anything about them.

Again and again, Dr Hooper sees people taking antihistamines only when their
symptoms become unbearable, rather than treating hay fever regularly
throughout the season.

"Only taking antihistamine tablets on 'bad' hay fever days" is a common
error, she says: "Regular treatment throughout the season is far more
effective at keeping symptoms under control."

It is one of those slightly irritating truths: by the time you feel
dreadful, you are already playing catch-up.

Specialists advise to begin taking antihistamines before the pollen season
begins

It is not just antihistamines. Steroid nasal sprays can take two weeks or
more to reach their full benefit, according to the NHS, with allergy
specialists advising starting them before the pollen season if possible. In
other words, if you only reach for treatment once your eyes are streaming
and you cannot stop sneezing, you are already later than ideal.

Not all antihistamines are created equal, either. It's easy to reach for
whichever box is cheapest, closest or most familiar, but the evidence
suggests some work better than others. Research published in 2023 found
clear differences in how effective oral antihistamines were at relieving
symptoms, which may help explain why one person swears by a particular brand
while another says it does very little.

The response to antihistamines is also highly individual, so if one is not
helping, it may be worth trying another rather than writing off the whole
category.

When antihistamines help (and when they may not be enough)

Antihistamines can be enough for milder hay fever symptoms, especially
sneezing, itching and a runny nose, but they are often less effective for a
blocked nose or more persistent symptoms, where regular steroid nasal sprays
may work better.

"Taking tablets infrequently is often not enough," says Dr Hooper. "Using a
regular steroid nasal spray alongside eye drops, either from a pharmacy or
prescribed by a doctor, is usually much more effective."

Three simple ways to ease hay fever symptoms

If hay fever flares up every year and you are tired of feeling permanently
under siege, a few straightforward habits can help.

1. Create a lower-pollen environment at night

"Keeping windows closed at night or using an air filter can really help,"
says Dr Hooper. "It allows your body to rest in a lower-pollen environment
and gives symptoms a chance to settle."

2. Protect your eyes when you are outdoors

Even when it's not particularly bright outside and especially on windy days,
Dr Hooper says wearing sunglasses can help reduce the amount of pollen which
gets into your eyes.

3. Be more targeted with treatment

"Using targeted treatments for the worst symptoms, such as nasal sprays and
eye drops, is often more effective than relying on oral antihistamines
alone," says Dr Hooper.

Wearing sunglasses when you're out and about can protect your eyes from
pollen

When to seek medical advice about hay fever

Hay fever is often treated as one of those seasonal nuisances you are simply
expected to put up with, along with wasps and people saying "nice to see the
lovely sun" during a heatwave.

But if it is affecting your sleep, concentration or day-to-day life, it is
worth taking seriously.

"If symptoms are not improving with over-the-counter treatments, it's
important to see your doctor to discuss further options, particularly if
symptoms are affecting your daily functioning at work or school," says Dr
Hooper. "Some patients may be suitable for treatments such as
immunotherapy."

She says people should also get advice if hay fever seems to be aggravating
other health issues.

"Hay fever can also worsen other conditions, particularly asthma," says Dr
Hooper. "If you experience breathing difficulties, a persistent cough,
wheezing or recurrent sinus symptoms, you should seek medical advice, as
further treatment or assessment may be needed."

Written by: Jayne Cherrington-Cook

Jayne cut her online journalism teeth 25 years ago in an era when a dialling
tone and slow page load were standard. During this time, she's written about
a variety of subjects and is just at home road-testing TVs as she is
interviewing TV stars.

A diverse career has seen Jayne launch websites for popular magazines,
collaborate with top brands, write regularly for major publications
including Woman&Home, Yahoo! and The Daily Telegraph, create a podcast and
also write a tech column for Women's Own.


Colin Howard, living in Southern England.