Hay Fever Symptoms: How to Spot and Handle Seasonal Allergies

Got sneezing fits that come and go with the seasons? Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is more than a sniffle. It’s your immune system overreacting to pollen, dust mites, pet dander or mold. Knowing the typical signs and simple fixes helps you get back to normal faster.

Common signs to watch for

Symptoms usually involve the nose, eyes and throat. Look for: lots of sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy throat or frequent throat clearing from postnasal drip. You may also feel tired, have headaches, reduced sense of smell, or a cough from mucus dripping down the back of your throat. Unlike a cold, fever and body aches are rare with hay fever. If your eyes are red and very itchy, that’s a strong clue it’s allergies, not a virus.

Timing helps too. If symptoms return each spring, summer or fall when pollen counts rise, or they flare indoors year-round around dust or pets, that points to allergic rhinitis. Symptoms that last for weeks or follow the same pattern every year usually mean allergy rather than short-lived infections.

Quick relief and prevention you can try today

Start with basic steps: check local pollen counts and stay inside on high days, keep windows closed during pollen season, and shower after being outdoors to wash pollen from hair and skin. A HEPA filter in the bedroom and using covers on mattresses and pillows can cut down dust mite exposure. If pets trigger you, keep them out of the bedroom and bathe them regularly.

For symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine often ease sneezing and itching without making you drowsy. Fast-acting options like levocetirizine or intranasal antihistamines help if you need quicker relief. Nasal steroid sprays (fluticasone, budesonide) reduce inflammation and work well for congestion — use them daily during allergy season for best results. Saline nasal rinses are cheap and effective to clear mucus and reduce irritation. For itchy eyes, antihistamine eye drops can be a big help.

If you can’t get relief with these steps, ask your doctor about prescription options or allergy testing. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) or sublingual tablets can reduce symptoms long-term by changing how your immune system reacts. Talk to a clinician before starting treatments if you’re pregnant, have other health issues, or are treating a child.

Head to urgent care if you have trouble breathing, throat swelling, wheezing, or a high fever — those signs need prompt medical attention. Otherwise, simple changes and the right meds can cut hay fever down to size and get you breathing easier through the pollen season.