Don’t let hay fever spoil your spring

The warmer weather and longer days of spring are something many of us look forward to. But for many New Zealanders, the change of season also brings the unwelcome return of hay fever.

If you’re a hay fever sufferer, it doesn’t have to spoil your spring. A little preparation can make the season easier to manage.

What is hay fever exactly?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction that affects the nose, throat, sinuses and eyes. It happens when your immune system reacts to something in the environment that would normally be harmless, such as pollen. This reaction releases histamine, causing the all-too-familiar symptoms of hay fever. Allergies affect people in different ways, and hay fever is just one type of allergic condition.

Common hay fever symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• A blocked, runny or itchy nose
• Red, itchy or watery eyes
• An itchy throat
• Coughing or frequently clearing your throat
• Headaches
• Feeling tired or having low energy.

Despite its name, hay fever doesn’t cause a fever. Symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severe enough to interfere with sleep, concentration, school, work and everyday activities.

What triggers hay fever?

Pollen is one of the most common triggers, particularly pollen from grasses and other wind-pollinated plants. This is why many people experience seasonal hay fever during spring and summer.

But pollen isn't the only culprit. Hay fever can also be triggered by dust mites, mould spores and animal dander (tiny flakes of skin and hair from pets). These triggers may cause symptoms throughout the year rather than just during spring.

Get spring ready

If you get hay fever in spring each year, a little preparation can help you stay ahead of your symptoms:

• Start treatment early. Some hay fever medicines work best when started before symptoms begin. Consider starting antihistamines and/or a corticosteroid nasal spray one to two weeks before your usual hay fever season. Ask your pharmacist, nurse, GP or NP what’s right for you.
• Keep pollen outside. On high-pollen days, keep windows and doors closed where practical and avoid mowing lawns or raking leaves.
• Protect yourself outdoors. Wear sunglasses and a hat to help reduce your exposure to pollen.
• Wash pollen away. After spending time outside, change your clothes and/or have a shower to rinse pollen from your hair and skin.
• Bring the washing in. Avoid drying clothes and bedding outside when pollen levels are high, as pollen can collect on fabrics.
• Check your medication. If you use prescription allergy medication, make sure you have enough before the season starts. Depending on the services available at your medical centre, you can use The Doctors App to request repeat prescriptions.

Note: The Doctors App is only available once you become an enrolled patient at one of our medical centres, and some of them use a different provider.

Treating hay fever

There’s no cure for hay fever, but symptoms can be managed effectively. Depending on your symptoms, treatment may include antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, eye drops, short-term decongestants, or saline nasal sprays and rinses. Sometimes a combination of treatments works best.

Your pharmacist can often help with mild or familiar hay fever symptoms. If your symptoms are moderate to severe, aren’t improving with treatment, are affecting your sleep or everyday life, or you’re not sure whether hay fever is the cause, book an appointment with a GP or NP at your local The Doctors medical centre.

Hay fever, asthma, and eczema

People with hay fever are more likely to also have asthma or eczema. Hay fever can make asthma more difficult to control, so if you have both conditions, it’s important to stay on top of your symptoms and treatment and review your asthma management before your usual allergy season begins.

The Doctors healthcare team can help with hay fever, respiratory allergies, asthma and eczema, from assessing your symptoms, to reviewing your treatment and helping you manage your allergies throughout the season.

If your symptoms are bothering you or you need help getting them under control, book an appointment with The Doctors.