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Find out what type of pollen is in the air in each month of this year, and get doctor-led advice on managing hay fever.

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Pollen information | Livi UK

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Pollen information

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Pollen is a fine, powdery substance that's produced by flowering plants as part of their reproductive process. It consists of a plant's male reproductive cells, which can fertilise the female reproductive cells of other plants. Pollen is usually spread by the wind or by insects.

If you have a pollen allergy, otherwise known as [hay fever](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/hay-fever/), inhaling pollen can trigger an immune response that causes symptoms like sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes.

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What is pollen and why does it cause hay fever?

A pollen count is a measure of the amount of pollen that's present in the air. It's usually measured in grains of pollen per cubic metre of air, and can be used as an indicator of how severe your hay fever symptoms might be.

If the pollen count is high and you're allergic to pollen, it's best to take precautions like staying indoors and keeping windows closed.

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What is a pollen count?

[Hay fever](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/hay-fever/) season typically starts in March or early April and lasts until September, though it can depend on different factors like the weather conditions and the type of pollen in the air.

It's always a good idea to check the pollen count during hay fever season and follow guidance to manage any hay fever symptoms.

livi.co.uk > Pollen > Accordions > When is hay fever season?

When is hay fever season?

Tree pollen is typically around in early spring, with the peak from late March to mid-May. Tree pollen is released by oak, ash, birch, and maple trees, among others. If you're allergic to tree pollen you may experience hay fever symptoms earlier in the year.

livi.co.uk > Pollen > Accordions > When does tree pollen peak?

When does tree pollen peak?

Grass pollen is released in late spring and early summer, with the peak season being from mid-May to the end of July. Grass pollen is released by a variety of grasses including Timothy, Bermuda, and Kentucky Bluegrass.

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When does grass pollen peak?

Over-the-counter remedies from a pharmacy can help relieve symptoms of [hay fever](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/hay-fever/). If you have a severe pollen allergy that's affecting your daily life, or over-the-counter medications aren't helping, a GP can provide further care.

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Should I see a doctor about a pollen allergy?

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If you find yourself with an itchy throat after eating during hay fever season, you may be experiencing oral allergy syndrome (OAS), also known as pollen-food allergy syndrome. OAS is linked to [hay fever](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/hay-fever/) because some foods have a very similar protein formation as the pollen you’re allergic to.

## What’s cross allergy?
If you’re allergic to something, like pollen, it means your body has developed a hypersensitivity to it. When you’re exposed to the substance you’re allergic to, you get symptoms because your immune system is overactive.

Sometimes [the immune system](https://www.livi.co.uk/your-health/how-the-immune-system-works/) has difficulty distinguishing between certain substances around us, which can lead to cross-allergy. Cross-allergies happen when your body reacts to different substances to the one you’re actually allergic to because the different substances contain similar allergens.

## What’s oral allergy syndrome?
Oral allergy syndrome is a common type of cross-allergy. Around 90% of people with a birch pollen allergy also have OAS and may experience problems in their mouth and throat. The symptoms often appear within 15 minutes of eating a triggering food and go away on their own after a few minutes. OAS usually develops in later childhood and teenage years.

## What are the symptoms of oral allergy syndrome?
Oral allergy syndrome typically affects the mouth and throat.
Common symptoms include:
- An itchy throat and tingling in your mouth
- Redness and swelling of your lips, tongue and throat
- Scratchy throat and difficulty swallowing

In rare cases, oral allergy syndrome can lead to anaphylaxis, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, [low blood pressure](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/cardiovascular-system/low-blood-pressure/) and loss of consciousness. If these symptoms arise, call 999 and [follow the steps to treat anaphylaxis](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/anaphylaxis/). 

## Which foods react with pollen to cause oral allergy syndrome?
Here are some of the main pollen allergies and the foods that may cause cross-reactivation.

### Tree pollen allergy
If you’re allergic to birch pollen, you may get symptoms from eating:
- Apricots
- Hazelnuts
- Strawberries
- Kiwi (or other exotic fruits)
- Cherries
- Almonds
- Carrots
- Nuts
- Peaches
- Plums
- Potatoes
- Pears
- Celery
- Apples

### Grass pollen allergy
If you’re allergic to grass, you may get symptoms from eating:
- Tomatoes
- Melons
- Peaches
- Beans
- Green peas
- Lentils

### Weed pollen allergy
If you’re allergic to ragweed, you may get symptoms from eating:
- Bananas
- Melons
- Kiwis
- Cucumbers
- Courgettes

## 6 tips to manage oral allergy syndrome
Managing oral allergy syndrome can be tricky, but you can try these strategies to help reduce the chance of a reaction:

1. Avoid exposure to pollen if you have hay fever, by staying indoors during peak pollen times and keeping your windows closed
2. Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if your allergy causes anaphylaxis. Your doctor will be able to advise if this is necessary
3. Keep a food diary to identify the foods that trigger your symptoms. You can use this information to develop a personalised diet plan
4. Make sure you cook any triggering foods as many of the proteins that cause oral allergy syndrome are sensitive to heat. Cooking can break down the proteins, reducing the likelihood of a reaction
5. If you’re at a restaurant, ask a member of staff for information on allergens
6. Help relieve your symptoms with over-the-counter allergy medication, like an antihistamine, and see a GP if this doesn’t help your symptoms.

## How can Livi help?
If you or your child has a cross-allergy and it’s not helped by over-the-counter medicines, seek medical advice. Livi GPs can help with hay fever and cross-allergies.

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livi.co.uk > Article page > Why does hay fever give me an itchy throat? (Oral allergy syndrome)

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Itchy throat after eating during hay fever season? You may have oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Learn the foods that trigger OAS and how to prevent symptoms.

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Why does hay fever give me an itchy throat? | Livi UK

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Dr Bryony

Dr Bryony Henderson

Lead GP at Livi

Pollen

Why does hay fever cause an itchy throat? The link between pollen and oral allergy syndrome

Although hay fever may be nothing more than a few sniffles for some kids, it can be really challenging for others. [Research](https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/10/e012637.short) has shown that hay fever symptoms can put a real burden on children’s mental health and wellbeing. 

Having [hay fever](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies-intolerances/hay-fever/) can make it hard to play outdoors, go to school, and even sleep. Most of the time, symptoms can be controlled with the right medicine, but it helps to have a few management strategies up your sleeve too.

## How common is hay fever in children?

Hay fever in children under the age of three is rare, but from that age and up, hay fever becomes more common. At least [1 in 10 children](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9474895/) experience hay fever at some point. Many people find that their hay fever settles down as they get older – this may be due to changes in our immune response as we age. 

## How can I help my child cope with hay fever?

Here are a few tips to make hay fever season easier for your youngster. 

### Make taking medicine fun

Antihistamine medication is a key part of managing your child’s hay fever. But giving young children medication isn’t always easy. It’s natural for some kids to refuse things like eye drops and syringes, even after you’ve explained they’ll help.

Sometimes it helps if a teddy bear goes first. Pretend one of your child’s favourite teddies has hay fever too and ‘give them’ some medicine. A little game of make believe can help ease any fear or anxiety. You can also try letting your child play with a clean, empty version of their medication so they can treat teddy too. 

### Bring the outdoors indoors 

When the pollen count spikes, taking playtime indoors is smart. But if your child is really keen on playing outside, they may feel like they’re missing out. 

Try bringing some outdoor activities inside. You can go ‘camping’ by draping a sheet over the kitchen table to build a tent. Or start an indoor garden and grow some (low pollen) plants, like rosemary. A small indoor trampoline can also be a great way to get kids active inside. 

### Rinse away the pollen
Pollen is made up of tiny particles that float in the air and stick easily to clothes. So during pollen season, give bath time extra priority.

Have your child wash their hands, face and hair straight away after they’ve spent time outdoors. When pollen count is high, like on hot or windy days, make sure your child has a thorough bath or shower so they’re squeaky clean. Eye drops can also help rinse away any pollen trapped in the eyes.

### Ask a doctor for advice

Hay fever medicine comes in lots of different forms. If you’ve tried a few kinds and your child still has symptoms, it may be a good idea to speak to a professional. 

Sometimes it helps to switch medicines or combine several of them. A Livi GP can give you advice on medication and how best to take the medicine. 

Also, remember that children with pollen allergies have a greater risk of developing [asthma](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/respiratory-conditions/asthma/) than those without. Contact a doctor if your child makes wheezing sounds when breathing, is wheezing or has a [cough](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/respiratory-conditions/cough/) that varies over time and in intensity.

If your child has bad hay fever, you can also ask a doctor for a doctor's certificate to give to their school. 

### More tips and tricks for managing children with hay fever

Here are a few more tactics to keep in mind during hay fever season:

- Vacuum at least once a week – don’t forget bedding, mattresses, and bed bases
- If you’ve got removable carpets in your home, put them away during pollen season
- Dry your laundry indoors
- Shut car windows when you’re driving through pollen heavy areas like parks
- If you’re going on holiday, consider areas with low pollen like the mountains, coast, or cities

With the right management, hay fever doesn’t have to take over your child’s spring and summer. If you’ve got any questions about helping control your child’s symptoms, speak to a GP for advice. 

__This article has been medically reviewed by Dr Bryony Henderson, Lead GP at Livi.__

livi.co.uk > Article page > A guide to managing hay fever in children

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Hay fever season coincides with the time of year when children love being outside. Here are a doctor's tips for managing your child’s hay fever symptoms.

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A guide to managing hay fever in children | Livi UK

General health

General health and seasonal

A guide to managing hay fever in children

For many people, the warmer weather brings more than sunshine and flowers – it’s hay fever season. Here’s a doctor’s guide to hay fever, including the common hay fever triggers and how you can help relieve symptoms at home.

‘Mild allergies like hay fever are common, but it’s important to know when to seek urgent medical care – if you develop difficulty breathing, or have swelling around your lips and tongue, you need to get emergency help straight away,’ says Dr Rhianna McClymont, Lead GP at Livi. 

## What exactly is hay fever? 

Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis – irritation and inflammation mainly in the nose and eyes as a response to something that triggers the immune system. In the case of hay fever, it’s an allergy to pollen in the air – tree pollen, grass pollen, and other plants can cause problems.

When we have an [allergic reaction](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/allergies/), our body naturally releases chemicals called histamines as part of a natural protective response. Sometimes when we’re exposed to an allergen, like pollen, our body’s response is excessive and makes us feel unwell. Some people are more susceptible to these kinds of allergic response than others – this seems to be down to a combination of lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors. 

Streaming eyes, sneezes and runny noses for many people signals the arrival of hay fever season. Thankfully, we now know more than ever about the small lifestyle changes and simple treatments that help ease these unwelcome seasonal symptoms.

## How can I manage hay fever myself?

Sometimes, simple hay fever home remedies can be really useful for managing symptoms. Here are 5 of our top tips to try at home.

1. __Use over-the-counter treatments__– your local pharmacy is usually a good first port of call for hay fever relief. 
2. __Plan ahead__ – take notice of which days are likely to be worse than others. Dry, windy days when the pollen count is high are particular culprits for causing hay fever, and you can take antihistamines in advance.
3. __Stay indoors__ – some hay fever sufferers might be able to stay indoors with the windows closed on particularly high pollen days, but not everyone’s lifestyle allows for that. Work, school, and life in general can make it tricky to avoid high pollen days. 
4. __Wash clothes (and pets)__ – doing laundry and showering after you’ve been outside on high pollen days can help with signs of hay fever.
5. __Dry clothes indoors__ – hanging laundry on the line will increase the amount of pollen you’re exposed to.

## When is hay fever season?

Hay fever season is usually between around March and September, when plants release pollen as trillions of microscopic particles. 

During this time, the pollen count is sometimes included in [weather forecasts](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/health-wellbeing/pollen/when-is-hayfever-season) – it just means how much pollen is in the air that day. Hay fever usually gets worse as the pollen count gets higher, so hay fever sufferers might choose to avoid going outdoors at those times. 

## What types of pollen affect hay fever, and when?

Every plant releases a different type of pollen – it’s how they reproduce. Some types of pollen are more likely to cause reactions than others, and some people are more sensitive to one type than another.

- __Grass pollen__ - This is the most common trigger for hay fever, and is usually particularly active from May to July in the UK. 
- __Tree pollen__ - This affects people a little earlier in the year, between February and mid-summer. There might even be differences in how each person reacts to different types of trees. 
- __Weed pollen__ - From June to September, hay fever is more likely to be a reaction to weed pollen – common weeds which cause hay fever include dock, nettles, mugwort and ragweed. 
- __Crops__ - Some crops also cause problems around this time of year, particularly oilseed rape just before and around the time of harvest. 

Allergy screening tests your reaction to some different types of pollen separately, which can help plan the times of year to be extra careful about managing hay fever.  

## Common signs of hay fever

Hay fever can make you feel quite unwell, and can mimic the symptoms of other related allergies.

Some of the most common signs of hay fever include:

- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Swollen, red and sore eyes
- A sore throat 
- Itching 
- Feeling very tired and generally unwell
- Poor sleep

Some people also find that they get headaches and earaches, and hay fever can even affect your sense of taste and smell.

‘Allergic rhinitis can make you feel really miserable, but most symptoms can be well-managed with over-the-counter medications,’ says Dr McClymont. ‘Oral antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and antihistamine eye drops are all very useful to control the symptoms. For regular sufferers, it’s important to start using these treatments early in the hay fever season for the best result.’

## Who is more at risk of hay fever?

People with [asthma](https://www.livi.co.uk/medical-advice/respiratory-conditions/asthma/), who also get hay fever, might find that their asthma is worse when hay fever flares up – 80% of people find that hay fever can trigger asthma, and even sometimes cause serious attacks. Carefully managing both conditions is always essential, but especially so for people who find their asthma flares up badly in hay fever season. 

‘Often, people who suffer with hayfever are also more likely to suffer with asthma or eczema - and vice versa. Sufferers may also have a genetic predisposition to hayfever, and so it tends to run in families. If a close family member suffers with it, your risk is higher,’ says Dr McClymont.

## Is hay fever common in children?

Hay fever in children under the age of five is uncommon, but from that age and up, the numbers of children who develop hay fever surges, with around 40% of people affected at some point in their childhood. 

Although it’s not usually thought of as a very serious condition, having bad hay fever can have a huge negative impact on a child’s quality of life, and lead to days off school and missed opportunities to go on trips and days out. The sleeplessness that sometimes accompanies hay fever can be difficult for children to deal with, but usually symptoms can be reasonably well controlled with careful medication management. 

Many people find that their hay fever settles down as they get older – this may be due to changes in our immune response as we age. But somewhere [between 10% and 30% of adults continue to suffer from hayfever](https://www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/statistics). 

## How can I treat hay fever in children?

The types and doses of hay fever treatment suitable for children may be different than those for adults, so it’s important to choose the right product for the age group, and always follow the instructions on the box. A pharmacist or GP can give advice if you have any concerns or are having trouble managing hay fever in a child. 

## Should I see a doctor for hay fever treatment?

Hay fever can really impact the way you feel and how well you feel like you can cope with day-to-day life. On a bad day, hay fever can affect your mood, breathing, ability to work and even leave the house. Usually hay fever is manageable, and there are lots of options for treatment and management. 

‘If you’re struggling to manage your symptoms with medications from the pharmacy then it is best to see your GP for further advice,’ advises Dr McClymont. ‘There are stronger medications for hay fever available on prescription, or in severe cases, a GP may refer you to an allergy specialist’. 


livi.co.uk > Your health > Hay fever signs and treatment: your self-help toolkit 

Hay fever signs and treatment: your self-help toolkit 

Hay fever is a common condition affecting at least a quarter of adults. Simple lifestyle changes can relieve symptoms through the hay fever season.

Hay fever treatment and how to relieve your symptoms | Livi UK

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Dr Rhianna McClymont

A doctor's guide to managing the hay fever season

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Advice for hay fever

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