Seasonal allergies affect around 1 in 5 people in the UK, with symptoms ranging from sneezing and itchy eyes to severe respiratory discomfort. For many, the arrival of spring is bittersweet — longer days and warmer weather come hand in hand with weeks of congestion, fatigue and disrupted sleep. As community pharmacists, we are often the first port of call for people seeking fast, evidence-based relief without the wait of a GP appointment.

Understanding Your Triggers The first step in managing hay fever effectively is identifying what sets off your symptoms. In the UK, the pollen calendar runs from late March all the way through to September, and different plants release pollen at different times of year.

• **Tree pollen** (late March to mid-May) — birch, oak, plane and hazel are common culprits.
• **Grass pollen** (mid-May to July) — by far the most common trigger, affecting around 95% of hay fever sufferers.
• **Weed pollen** (late June to September) — nettles, dock and mugwort can extend the season well into autumn.

If you are unsure which pollen affects you, keeping a simple symptom diary alongside the daily Met Office pollen forecast for a few weeks can be revealing. Patterns usually emerge quickly.

Over-the-Counter Options That Actually Work Modern antihistamines are far more effective than the drowsy first-generation tablets many people remember from childhood. Non-sedating options such as **cetirizine**, **loratadine** and **fexofenadine** are excellent first-line treatments and can be taken once daily.

For nasal symptoms specifically — runny nose, congestion, sneezing — a **steroid nasal spray** such as beclometasone or fluticasone is often more effective than tablets. The key is consistency: nasal sprays work best when used every day throughout the season, not just when symptoms flare. It can take up to two weeks for full benefit, so starting early matters.

Itchy, watery eyes respond well to **antihistamine eye drops** such as sodium cromoglicate or olopatadine. Combining a daily tablet, a nasal spray and eye drops as a three-pronged approach gives the best results for moderate to severe sufferers.

Practical Daily Habits Medication is only half the story. Simple lifestyle adjustments can dramatically reduce your exposure:

• Check the daily pollen forecast and plan outdoor activities for early morning or after rain, when counts are lowest.
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outside to wash pollen from hair and skin.
• Keep car and bedroom windows closed on high-pollen days; a HEPA filter can help indoors.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes when out and about.
• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly around the nostrils to trap pollen before it enters the airways.

When to See a Pharmacist If your symptoms persist despite over-the-counter treatment, or if you find yourself relying on medication for more than a few weeks without relief, book a free consultation with one of our pharmacists. We can review your current routine, recommend stronger prescription-only options where appropriate, and refer you to your GP if we suspect underlying asthma or chronic rhinitis. Wheezing, breathlessness or a tight chest should always be assessed promptly — these can be early signs of pollen-triggered asthma.

Looking Ahead For severe, persistent hay fever that doesn’t respond to standard treatment, immunotherapy (allergy desensitisation) is now widely available and can offer long-term relief over a three-year course. Your GP can refer you to an allergy specialist if appropriate.

Visit Riviera Health Pharmacy for a free allergy consultation this season. Our team is here to help you breathe, sleep and enjoy the summer again.