Hay fever season is officially upon us, so here are 26 genius hacks to beat the pesky pollen allergy

Is it really hay fever season already? Anyone who has suffered from itchy eyes, a runny nose and a scratchy throat will probably say yes, yes it is. And – we’re sorry to break it to you – but it’s only the beginning. 

Where you live has a huge impact on how bad your hay fever is, with the temperature and plants of the region all making a difference. Even if you live in the city, the concrete is not going to be enough to shield you. Case in point: the trees pollen count for London is currently (as of May 2022) 255 PPM, which, according to Kleenex, is classed as high. 

Clarityn’s pollen consultant, Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, told GLAMOUR: “Some hay fever sufferers in London can be badly affected by the plane tree pollen season, which has an average of 12 high days.”

To keep on top of it you can check the daily pollen count on the Met Office website, but what if you – or the people around you – start to panic that your symptoms could be more serious?

Now more than ever, it’s important to know the difference between common hay fever symptoms and those that could be a sign of Coronavirus, so you can take the right steps to feel better (and stop freaking out anyone in your immediate vicinity).

As Boots Chief Pharmacist, Marc Donovan, explains: “Hay fever symptoms are different to Coronavirus. The most common symptoms of Coronavirus are a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough. Sneezing is not a symptom of Coronavirus and it’s rare to have a runny or stuffy nose.

“Hay fever doesn’t cause a high temperature and most people don’t feel unwell. Typical hay fever symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red watery eyes or an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears”. Here, Marc shares some practical steps you can take to tackle hay fever symptoms…

First up, daily prevention

• Try applying Vaseline to the inside of your nose, it works as a barrier and can trap pollen before breathing it in.
• An allergy barrier nasal spray is great for deterring pollen too. To really feel the benefit, try using it for two weeks before your symptoms usually begin.
• When you’re in and out of the garden, wear wraparound sunglasses to help prevent pollen from getting in and irritating your eyes.
• After spending time outdoors, try and make time to have a shower to wash away any stray pollen on your hair and skin, and put all clothes straight in the wash.
• Avoid hanging your washing outside as the pollen in the air can cling to your clean clothes and linger on the materials.

The Met Office is your friend

Keep your eye on the Met Office website daily so you can monitor the pollen forecast, you can now also opt-in to receive handy push notifications via the app.

Try, try and try again

There are lots of hay fever relief products out there, so if one type of medication isn’t working for you, consider swapping to another. If you’re looking for help choosing, your local pharmacy will be able to suggest alternatives. 

Timing is key

Certain times of day have higher pollen levels, typically the first half of the morning and later in the afternoon and evening, so taking a one-a-day allergy relief tablet in the morning will help protect you when you need it most. Around midday is a time where pollen count is at its lowest, so take this opportunity to pop out to the garden for some fresh air and to perhaps eat lunch, this will also help you get a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Scroll down for some fantastic hay fever remedies…