This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer
Hay fever is an allergic reaction of the nose (and sinuses) to pollen in the air.
Symptoms include:
Hay fever is the most common allergy. More than 15% of people have it.
Although pollen is usually the cause of hay fever, similar symptoms can also be caused by pets, farm animals, or something else you are is allergic to. This allergic sensitivity is often inherited.
During late April and May the most common pollen causing hay fever is from trees. In June and July, the pollen is usually from grass. From August until the first frost, the leading cause of hay fever is ragweed pollen.
This is a chronic condition that will probably come back every year during pollen season, perhaps for a lifetime. Therefore, it is important to learn how to control it.
The best drug for hay fever is an antihistamine. It will relieve nose and eye symptoms. You need the antihistamine recommended by your healthcare provider.
Symptoms clear up faster if antihistamines are given at the first sign of sneezing or sniffing. If you have daily symptoms, the best control is attained if you take antihistamines continuously (several times each day) throughout the pollen season. If you have occasional symptoms, you can take antihistamines on days when symptoms are present or expected.
The main side effect of older antihistamines such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton is drowsiness. If you become drowsy, continue the drug, but decrease the dosage. If drowsiness continues, switch to long-acting antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin, that can be taken once per day. You can buy them without a prescription.
Nasal sprays must be used when the nose is not dripping. Take an antihistamine to stop the dripping before you use the spray. Your nasal spray is _____________________. Put ____ puff(s) in each nostril _____ times a day every day.
If antihistamines only give partial relief of symptoms, severe hay fever can usually be controlled by prescription steroid nasal sprays. Allergy shots are usually not needed.
Pollen tends to collect on the exposed body surfaces and especially in the hair. Shower and wash your hair every night before going to bed. Avoid handling pets that have been outside and are probably covered with pollen.
Exposure to pollen can be reduced by not going on drives in the country and by not sitting by an open car window on necessary drives. You should stay away from someone cutting the grass during pollen season. When it is windy or the pollen count is especially high, you should stay indoors. Close the windows that face the prevailing winds. Use an air conditioner rather than an attic or window fan. Fans can pull in pollen.
If your hay fever is especially bad, consider going to an air-conditioned store or theater for a few hours.
If you also have itchy, watery eyes, wash your face and eyelids to remove pollen or other allergic substances. Then apply a cold, wet cloth to the eyelids for 10 minutes. An oral antihistamine will usually bring the eye symptoms under control. If not, put 2 drops of long-acting antihistamine/decongestant eyedrops (a nonprescription item) in your eyes every 8 to 12 hours for a few days. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a reliable product.
Decongestant nosedrops or nasal sprays usually do not help hay fever because they are washed out by nasal secretions as soon as they have been put into the nose. Also, if they are used for more than 5 days, they can irritate the nose and make it more congested.
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