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Common Conditions Service

Hay Fever & Allergic Rhinitis Treatment

Fast, expert treatment for seasonal and year-round allergies. Get antihistamines and management advice at your local pharmacy.

Allergic rhinitis hay fever medical illustration

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) is inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergic reaction to airborne substances. When seasonal (triggered by pollen), it's called hay fever. When year-round (triggered by dust mites, pet dander, mold), it's called perennial allergic rhinitis.

Hay fever is very common - affecting 15-40% of people globally. Your immune system overreacts to harmless pollen or allergens, releasing histamine that causes sneezing, itching, runny/blocked nose, and watery eyes.

Symptoms are usually worst between late March and September when pollen counts are highest, particularly in warm, humid, and windy weather. Pharmacists can help recommend appropriate antihistamines and provide allergen avoidance strategies.

Signs & Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

  • • Sneezing and coughing
  • • Runny or blocked nose
  • • Itchy, red, watery eyes
  • • Itching of throat, mouth, nose, ears
  • • Loss of smell
  • • Headaches and facial pain (sinus area)
  • • Earache
  • • Feeling tired and fatigued

How to tell hay fever from a cold: Hay fever has NO sore throat or high temperature. Symptoms last 6-8 weeks (cold lasts 1-3 weeks). Symptoms occur the same time each year (pollen season). Itchy eyes and nose are very prominent.

When to See a Pharmacist

A pharmacist can help you if:

You need advice on managing hay fever symptoms

Over-the-counter treatments aren't working well

You need recommendations for antihistamines or nasal sprays

You want advice on allergen avoidance

See a GP if:

  • • Symptoms are getting worse despite treatment
  • • You want allergy testing (skin prick test)
  • • You have asthma that's worsening with hay fever
  • • You want a steroid nasal spray (GP prescription needed)
  • • You're interested in immunotherapy
  • • Symptoms present all year round (perennial allergies)
  • • You develop fever (may indicate infection)

Treatment Available

Treatment options range from over-the-counter antihistamines to prescription medications and allergen avoidance strategies.

What the pharmacist can recommend:

  • •Non-drowsy antihistamine tablets (cetirizine, loratadine)
  • •Antihistamine or decongestant nasal sprays
  • •Antihistamine eye drops for itchy eyes
  • •Allergen avoidance strategies
  • •Timing of treatment - start before symptoms begin

Preventing Pollen Exposure

During high pollen days:

  • Stay indoors when possible
  • Keep windows and doors closed
  • Put Vaseline around nostrils to trap pollen
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses
  • Shower and change clothes after being outside

General prevention:

  • Check pollen forecasts at Met Éireann before outdoor activities
  • Vacuum frequently and dust with damp cloths
  • Wash bedding regularly in hot water
  • Keep pets out of bedrooms
  • Avoid drying clothes outside (they trap pollen)

For year-round allergies (dust mites, pet dander):

  • Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers
  • Vacuum frequently
  • Keep air filtered
  • Maintain lower humidity

How to Get Help

Pharmacy Visit

Visit your local pharmacy and ask for advice on hay fever treatment. Most antihistamines available over-the-counter.

Find a Pharmacy

GP Consultation

For allergy testing, steroid nasal sprays, or if symptoms worsen. Consider early in season before pollen peaks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by your immune system overreacting to harmless airborne substances. SEASONAL HAY FEVER triggered by: tree pollen (late March-May), grass pollen (May-July, most common), weed pollen (late summer-autumn). YEAR-ROUND ALLERGIES triggered by: dust mites, pet dander (skin/hair), mold spores. Your immune system releases histamine as defense, causing inflammation, sneezing, itching, congestion. Genetics play major role - if parents have allergies, 50% chance you will too.

How do I know if I have allergic rhinitis?

Symptoms: SNEEZING (often repetitive); RUNNY or BLOCKED NOSE; ITCHY, RED, WATERY EYES; ITCHING of throat, mouth, nose, ears; LOSS OF SMELL; FACIAL PAIN (sinus area); EAR ACHE; FATIGUE. Distinguishing from cold: hay fever has NO SORE THROAT or HIGH FEVER; symptoms LAST 6-8 WEEKS (cold lasts 1-3); occurs SAME TIME EACH YEAR (pollen season); ITCHY EYES and NOSE prominent. If symptoms appear predictably during pollen season, likely allergic rhinitis.

Can a pharmacist help with hay fever?

While hay fever/allergic rhinitis is not formally part of the CCS, pharmacists can still provide comprehensive support: RECOMMEND antihistamine tablets (cetirizine, loratadine - non-drowsy); SUGGEST antihistamine or steroid nasal sprays; RECOMMEND antihistamine eye drops for itchy eyes; ADVISE on allergen avoidance and pollen reduction strategies; SUGGEST barrier methods (Vaseline around nostrils, sunglasses). Many antihistamines available over-the-counter. Ask pharmacist for specific recommendation for YOUR symptoms.

What's the best treatment for hay fever?

Treatment depends on severity: MILD SYMPTOMS: non-drowsy antihistamine tablets (cetirizine 10mg, loratadine 10mg) once daily - relief in 20-30 minutes. MODERATE-SEVERE: steroid nasal spray (most effective but needs GP prescription) - start before symptom season. ITCHY EYES: antihistamine eye drops. PREVENTION: start treatment BEFORE symptoms begin, not after. Key: treatments work best when started early, then continued throughout pollen season. Short-term nasal decongestant can be used for 1 week maximum if severely congested.

How can I reduce pollen exposure?

DURING HIGH POLLEN DAYS (warm, dry, sunny): STAY INDOORS when possible; KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED; CLOSE CAR WINDOWS during commute. PREVENTION: put VASELINE around nostrils to trap pollen; WEAR WRAPAROUND SUNGLASSES to protect eyes; SHOWER and CHANGE CLOTHES after being outside; WASH HAIR at night (removes trapped pollen). INDOOR: use AIR PURIFIER; VACUUM frequently; DUST with damp cloth; keep BEDDING CLEAN; REMOVE CARPETS if severe; KEEP PETS out of BEDROOM. CHECK POLLEN FORECAST from Met Éireann - plan outdoor activities on LOW POLLEN DAYS.

What about allergies to dust mites and pets?

DUST MITES (year-round): use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers; WASH BEDDING in hot water weekly; VACUUM frequently; REDUCE HUMIDITY with dehumidifier. PET ALLERGIES: REMOVE pet from bedroom; VACUUM and DUST frequently; BATHE pet regularly; consider different pet breed (some produce less dander). YEAR-ROUND allergen avoidance similar to seasonal approach but needed all year. Antihistamines help but environmental control most important. Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots) if severe and lifestyle limiting.

Can hay fever affect my asthma?

YES - if you have asthma, hay fever can worsen it: pollen inflammation affects both nasal passages AND airways. Symptoms: tight chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, increased cough. Treatment of hay fever (antihistamines, nasal sprays) can help control asthma symptoms. IMPORTANT: check with GP if symptoms suggest asthma involvement - may need asthma medication adjustment during pollen season. Both conditions require treatment for optimal control.

Are there long-term solutions?

IMMUNOTHERAPY (allergy shots/tablets): gradual exposure to increasing doses of allergen to build tolerance. Most effective for severe hay fever not controlled by medications. Requires GP/specialist referral. Takes 3-5 years but can provide long-term remission or resolution. LIFESTYLE: some children's hay fever symptoms ease as they grow older; others persist into adulthood. Avoiding identified triggers remains cornerstone of management. Combination of medications + allergen avoidance = best control.

When should I see a doctor?

SEE GP if: over-the-counter treatments not controlling symptoms; you think symptoms are getting worse; you have ASTHMA that's worsening; you want SKIN PRICK TESTING to identify specific allergens; you want STEROID NASAL SPRAY (GP prescription needed for best options); considering IMMUNOTHERAPY; symptoms present YEAR-ROUND (may indicate perennial allergies); young children with symptoms (for allergy testing); symptoms include FEVER (may indicate infection, not allergy).

How much do antihistamines cost?

Over-the-counter antihistamines: cetirizine, loratadine 10mg approximately €3-8 for 30-tablet pack (covers month of hay fever season). Nasal sprays: azelastine approximately €5-10. Eye drops: €6-12. Total seasonal cost: €15-30 for basic treatment. If prescription needed (steroid nasal spray): cost varies, may be covered by medical card or DPS. Many supermarkets stock affordable own-brand antihistamines - equally effective.

Get Support for Hay Fever

Pharmacists can recommend appropriate treatments and strategies to manage your hay fever symptoms throughout the pollen season.

Find Local Pharmacies

Medical content source: HSE.ie (Health Service Executive, Ireland)

Information accurate as of February 2026. For official HSE guidance, visit hse.ie/conditions/hay-fever