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Managing hay fever and allergies in the UK
Advice

Managing hay fever and allergies in the UK

9 April 2026·4 min read

Hay fever, dust and pet allergies, practical relief

About one in four adults in the UK has hay fever, and many more have year-round allergies from dust or pets. The good news: most cases are manageable without a GP visit.

Know your trigger

Tree pollen runs roughly March to May. Grass pollen peaks May to July. Weed pollen lingers into September.

Indoor triggers, dust mites, pets, mould, tend to be worse in autumn and winter when houses are sealed up.

First-line treatments

  • Non-drowsy antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine
  • Steroid nasal sprays, most effective if started a few weeks before your trigger season
  • Eye drops for itchy, watery eyes
  • Saline nasal rinses to wash away pollen at the end of the day

Build a simple routine

  1. 1

    Start early

    Begin treatment 2 to 4 weeks before your usual symptoms appear.

  2. 2

    Layer carefully

    Combine a daily antihistamine with a steroid spray for stubborn cases.

  3. 3

    Review with us

    If over-the-counter options aren't working, book in and we'll discuss prescription options.

Pop in any time. We can recommend a routine that matches your symptoms and your day.