​Hay fever

If you have hay fever we can help with:

• free advice from our trained staff (no appointment needed)

The symptoms:

• sneezing
• a runny, itchy, or blocked nose
• watery, itchy eyes
• itchy throat
• headache, sinus pain
• inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• children may also develop a middle ear infection (otitis media)

Depending on which type of pollen you're allergic to, you may experience hay fever symptoms at different times.

Pollen count season

In the UK, the pollen count season is usually separated into three periods:

• tree pollen – late March to mid-May
• grass pollen – mid-May to July
• weed pollen – end of June to September

The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. This is not always easy but using a pollen forecast may help you to plan when you venture outdoors and avoid when the pollen count is at its highest to help reduce symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for hay fever, but most people can tackle their symptoms with over-the-counter medication from their pharmacist. Treatments are available in different forms e.g. tablets, capsules, liquids, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Your local Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacist can recommend the most appropriate medication for you.

Visit your local Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy for free advice today, or download the below booklet for more information.

Top tips

For more top tips and a chance to test your knowledge in our fact or fiction quiz check out our Hay fever is here again blog.

More information

For more information, you can read our Hay fever - What you should know leaflet in the downloads below. You can also find copies in your local Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy.