The main symptoms of hay fever, according to the NHS, include:
- Sneezing and coughing
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Loss of smell
- Pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
- Headache
- Feeling tired
But there are some more “unusual” symptoms associated with hay fever you may be unaware of, according to pharmacist Mital Thakrar from Well Pharmacy Online Doctor.
Top tips for hay fever relief
And with a “Pollen Bomb” forecast to hit the UK this week, these “intense” symptoms can flare up.
Mr Thakrar explained: “The term ‘pollen bomb’ relates to when a sudden rise in temperature causes trees and plants to release large amounts of pollen all at once.
“This can make hay fever symptoms much worse as the spike exacerbates pollen levels.
“A ‘pollen bomb’ also means that different types of pollen, like grass and tree pollen, can be released together, triggering stronger reactions.
“If you suffer from hay fever, you might notice more intense symptoms such as more sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion and even asthma flare ups.”
He added: “As the pollen count rises, it’s important the public recognise these unusual symptoms.”
Unusual symptoms of hay fever
Some of the more unusual hay fever symptoms, according to Mr Thakrar, are:
Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating can be caused by:
- Stress
- Pain
- When your immune system is vulnerable
“All factors which can occur in hay fever,” the pharmacist said.
Loss of smell and taste
While it is a less common symptom, loss of smell and taste can be linked to hay fever.
Mr Thakrar explained: “Also known as anosmia, inflammation in the nasal passages can impact our sense of smell.
“This is the body’s way of limiting the amount of pollen that reaches the nose.
“As taste and smell are linked, if you experience anosmia, you are also likely to notice some loss of taste too.”
The health expert said loss of taste and smell is also a symptom of COVID-19 and advised testing for that as well.
How to tell if you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19
Headaches and migraines
Mr Thakrar said there was also a link between headaches and hay fever.
He explained: “Sinus inflammation can cause a build-up of pressure, which results in a sinus headache.
“This tends to feel as if there is intense pressure inside the head or behind the eyes.
“The histamines released during a hay fever account can also give rise to migraines.”
Face pain
Hay fever can also cause pain around your cheeks, eyes and forehead, according to Mr Thakrar.
He said: “When you have hay fever, the small air-filled cavities behind the cheekbones and forehead can become inflamed or blocked.
“This pressure can cause facial pain.”
Asthma
The health expert from Well Pharmacy Online Doctor revealed: “If you have asthma, you may find hay fever worsens symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness.
“In fact, some people also find they only experience asthma symptoms during hay fever season.
“People with hay fever are also much more likely to develop asthma.”
What is the cause of these seasonal allergies?
What people may not realise is that two types of pollen can cause hay fever, and they are easily confused.
Grass pollen usually peaks during early summer, while tree pollen is the main culprit of hay fever symptoms during spring.
How to cope with hot weather
Mr Thakrar added: “So if you’re sneezing and dealing with itchy eyes in March or April, tree pollen is likely to blame.
“But if your allergies hit hardest in May, June, or July, grass pollen could be the trigger.”
Tips for managing spring allergies
The key to managing spring allergies is “preparation”, according to Mr Thakrar.
He said: “Taking preventative measures before pollen counts peak can significantly reduce the severity of symptoms.”
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He advised taking the following precautions to help reduce hay fever symptoms during spring:
- Beginning antihistamine treatment before symptoms appear
- Investing in an air purifier
- Monitoring local pollen forecasts daily
- Changing clothes after spending time outdoors
- Wearing wraparound sunglasses to protect eyes
Do you suffer from hay fever? Have you experienced any of the “unusual” symptoms mentioned? Take out poll above or let us know in the comments below.
