Ah, hay fever. The fever that doesn’t break or give you a pass to stay in bed all day. This common ailment can mess with your day-to-day, especially during peak allergy seasons and when pollen counts are off the charts.

Hay fever, also referred to as allergic rhinitis, affects millions of people around the globe.¹ It can turn a tranquil day outside into a frantic search for eye drops and antihistamines.   

Grab some tissues and let's explore the sneezing-filled world of hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Learn the what, the why, and the how to manage your symptoms so you can get back into those breezy flower fields.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction that happens when your immune system overreacts to outdoor or indoor allergens like pollen, dust mites or pet dander.²

It's not caused by hay and doesn't bring on a fever — the name's a bit misleading. The symptoms can include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion and sneezing.³ It can pop up seasonally, especially in the spring and fall, or stick around all year, depending on what you're allergic to.

Is hay fever the same as allergies? 

Hay fever is a type of allergy, but not all allergic reactions are from hay fever. Unlike other allergic reactions, which typically go away once no longer exposed to the allergen, hay fever can be chronic and last for several months.⁴

What causes hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is triggered when your immune system has a bit of a freak-out moment over harmless substances such as pollen or animal dander. The body's defense system sees these allergens and thinks they're harmful invaders. So, it responds by releasing chemicals like histamines into your bloodstream to combat them.5 This causes typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and congestion.³

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Once you know what triggers your symptoms, check out our allergen fact sheets that provide detailed info on specific allergens.

Symptoms of hay fever

Hay fever can come with a pesky set of relentless symptoms and vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include:³

• Watery, itchy or red eyes
• Runny nose, congestion
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Postnasal drip
• Dark circles under the eyes (allergic shiners)
• Fatigue (often due to poor sleep)

Managing hay fever

Now that we have covered the suffering-causing basics, let’s get to the relief part. To manage hay fever symptoms most effectively, it’s all about knowing what triggers them so that you can mitigate exposure and begin the right treatment journey. 

Diagnosis

Together with a healthcare provider, the hay fever diagnosis process starts with a chat about symptoms and family history, followed by a physical examination and, if necessary, performing an allergy test such as a skin prick test or a blood allergy test to identify allergen triggers. 

A blood allergy test, also called a specific IgE test, aids in the diagnosis of hay fever by detecting specific antibodies in your blood that your body produces in response to allergens. After taking a sample of your blood, it's tested in a lab for these antibodies. If your blood contains IgE antibodies to a specific allergen (like grass or tree pollen in the case of hay fever), it indicates that your body may react allergically to that substance. The results, given as a number, show the sensitization level to the allergen.

This information will guide diagnosis and inform the best treatment option for your situation. It's important to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  

Treatment

Navigating the sniffly landscape of hay fever can be challenging, but it's not impossible. Whether you've been dealing with these allergies for years or are just getting started, there are ways to help manage and treat your symptoms.⁶

Decongestants help treat hay fever by reducing swelling in the nose, which allows clear blocked airways and makes breathing easier. They provide short-term relief but don't treat the underlying allergy.

Antihistamines are drugs used to block chemicals in the body called histamines.⁷ An allergic reaction triggers the release of histamines, which causes those lovely allergy symptoms, and that’s where the blocking comes in handy. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

Immunotherapy treats hay fever by gradually exposing your body to the allergen, helping your immune system become less reactive and reducing symptoms. Unlike other treatments, it can provide long-term relief even after treatment stops. It's considered when other treatments aren't effective, have undesirable side effects, or symptoms are severe. This treatment should be administered under healthcare supervision.

Healthy lifestyle choices can help manage hay fever symptoms. This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and stress management.

Is allergy medication not working?  Check out this article to find out why.

How long does hay fever last?

The duration of hay fever depends on what's causing it. If it's a seasonal allergy, like tree or grass pollen, it could last a few weeks to a few months, generally if the plants are pollinating. This usually happens during the spring allergy season, summertime, and in the fall.

If you're allergic to something that's around all year, like dust mites or pet dander, you might have symptoms at any time.

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Learn more about Allergy vs. a cold: Which one are you fighting? 

Should I see a doctor about hay fever?

If your symptoms are wreaking havoc on your day-to-day life, you have other health issues like asthma or sleep apnea, or are interested in long-term solutions, you should consider seeing a healthcare provider. If you have not been diagnosed with hay fever and don’t know what is causing your symptoms, work with your healthcare provider to find answers and relief.  

Take this allergy symptoms questionnaire to summarize your symptoms and guide a productive conversation with your healthcare provider.

Not sure if you have hay fever? Learn how to get an allergy test.

Allergy testing plays an important role in diagnosing hay fever. It pinpoints the specific allergens causing the symptoms, which is key to inform an effective treatment plan. By identifying your triggers, your healthcare provider can create a specialized plan for treatment that meets your specific needs. This personalized approach can help alleviate your hay fever symptoms, making seasonal changes more enjoyable with far less sneezing.

And check this out, you don’t need to wait for an appointment with a specialist to get tested! Talk to your healthcare provider about your testing options. Learn more about how to get an allergy test and blood allergy testing.