Hay Fever and Pollen: Common Questions
Seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by tree, grass or weed pollen.
Last revised
Hay Fever and Pollen: the questions people actually ask, answered from published guidance.
Key takeaways
- Most effective for nasal symptoms: intranasal corticosteroid spray
- Trial period: use consistently for about 2 weeks before judging
- Most useful single change: Start a steroid nasal spray before the season begins.
- Commonest mistake: Judging a nasal spray after two days.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
What is Hay Fever and Pollen?
Seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by tree, grass or weed pollen.
Why does it matter?
It worsens asthma control, and the most effective treatment is the one people use least consistently.
Most effective for nasal symptoms for Hay Fever and Pollen?
Intranasal corticosteroid spray.
Trial period for Hay Fever and Pollen?
Use consistently for about 2 weeks before judging.
Pollen seasons for Hay Fever and Pollen?
Tree in spring, grass in early summer, weed later.
What is the single most useful thing to do?
Start a steroid nasal spray before the season begins.
What is the most common mistake?
Judging a nasal spray after two days.
When should I see a doctor?
Call 999 for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or collapse — that is anaphylaxis, not hay fever. Contact a GP if asthma worsens during pollen season, or if symptoms remain uncontrolled despite regular treatment.
Where to go next
- Hay Fever and Pollen: Just the Figures
- What the Guidance Really Says About Hay Fever and Pollen
- Hay Fever and Pollen — the reference entry
- Allergy Testing: What Published Guidance Supports
- Drug Allergy: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise
When to get help
Call 999 for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or collapse — that is anaphylaxis, not hay fever. Contact a GP if asthma worsens during pollen season, or if symptoms remain uncontrolled despite regular treatment.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.
