Hayfever is a common allergic reaction to pollen produced from grass, trees and weeds during spring and summer. It’s known as seasonal rhinitis and has the same symptoms as year-round (perennial) rhinitis, which is when you’re allergic to other substances (allergens) like dust or pet hair.
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen. If you’re allergic to pollen — or dust or pet hair — and you breathe it in, or it gets in your eyes, your body produces histamine. In an allergic reaction, histamine causes the inside of your nose to become inflamed and swell. This triggers uncomfortable symptoms like a runny nose or watery eyes.
Symptoms for hayfever, or a dust or pet allergy, include:
If you also have asthma, you might find yourself coughing or wheezing more.
Page last reviewed by: Dr. Christina Hennessey 21/06/2021