What is Hay Fever?
Understand hay fever symptoms, triggers, and treatment
You’ll know all too well if you suffer from hay fever. A blocked or runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing are some of the unpleasant hay fever allergy symptoms you, and many others like you, can experience when the pollen count rises.
So, what is hay fever? Seasonal allergic rhinitis, to give it its proper medical name, is a common allergy affecting around 1 in 4 adults in the UK. Although there isn’t a cure for hay fever, there are effective ways to treat symptoms.
Knowing the symptoms of hay fever when they strike
Runny nose
Your nose may run. So, have tissues at the ready, and expect a stream of watery clear fluid.
Blocked nose
Bunged up, congested nostrils can make it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe.
Watery, itchy, red eyes
Your eyes may feel gritty and sore. And, unsurprisingly, there may be lots of tears too.
Sneezing
Sneezes may catch you by surprise. Quite often you’ll have an outburst of several sneezes in rapid succession.
Hay fever is just one variant of allergic rhinitis – this is seasonal with symptoms triggered by pollen at certain times of the year. There is also perennial allergic rhinitis which can affect you all year round. Similar symptoms are brought on by allergens from pet fur, dust mites and mould spores.
Perennial vs. seasonal allergic rhinitis
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Rate your Allergic Rhinitis: Mild, Moderate, or Severe
Do your symptoms affect any of the following:
- Your quality of sleep
- Your daily activities
- Your performance at school or at work
- Your general wellbeing
If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of the above questions, your allergic rhinitis is classified as moderate to severe. If you answered ‘no’ to all questions, your allergic rhinitis is considered mild.
Dymista® Control nasal spray. For moderate to severe hay fever symptoms when intranasal antihistamines or corticosteroids are insufficient. Always read the label.
UK-DTC-2026-00074 April 2026