The start of spring is one of the best times of the year. The weather grows warmer, the sun decides to show its face after months of absence and we finally get to see daylight after work again. But all this joy comes with an inevitable downside for hay fever sufferers – the rapid approach of hay fever season.

We’re still at least a month away from the pollen really ramping up, but if you suffer from hay fever, you might have noticed a few symptoms starting to crop up over the last couple of weeks. It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when all you want to do is get out and enjoy the weather. 

It raises the question: with hay fever season on the horizon, is there anything we can do in the meantime to prepare? And if so, can preparation make a tangible difference to the symptoms you experience? 

According to the Met Office, hay fever season starts in late March (ie now) and runs right until September. Different types of pollen reach their peaks at different times, so if you’re only allergic to one type of pollen, you won’t typically experience symptoms all the way through this period – just when the pollen you’re allergic to is around.

Tree pollen is the first type of pollen to spike, usually lingering from late March to mid-May. Grass pollen, which typically affects the most people, lasts from mid-May to July, while weed pollen covers the end of June to September.

It’s worth noting that the start of hay fever season varies depending on where you live; if you’re further north in the UK, the season tends to start later and be shorter.

Factors such as low temperatures in winter and a dry spring can also lead to a delay in the start of hay fever season and minimise pollen spikes. 

According to Dr Helen Howells, a GP and allergy specialist, there’s one thing people with hay fever can and should do to prepare for hay fever season: invest in a nasal corticosteroid spray. “It is my recommendation to start using this spray three or four weeks before their hay fever normally starts,” she says. “These sprays can be bought over the counter; recommended brands contain fluticasone or mometasone.”

The reason you need to start using a nasal spray before symptoms start is that they don’t start working straight away; if you require immediate relief, you’re better off opting for an antihistamine.

“If you know that your symptoms are usually problematic, then book an appointment with your GP or an allergy specialist now to discuss what measures can be put in place,” Dr Howells recommends. “I personally find that the only thing which improves my hay fever is a combination nasal spray which contains both a steroid and antihistamine. Currently this is only available on prescription, so book an appointment with your doctor to discuss.” 

Other things to consider include investing in a good air filter (to stop pollen from settling in your indoor environment) and looking at simple ways to minimise symptoms, such as wearing wraparound sunglasses, showering before getting into bed and washing and drying your clothes inside.

“For those people who suffer with severe pollen allergies, I would encourage them to speak to an allergist and consider immunotherapy as a treatment option ahead of next year,” Dr Howells adds. “Immunotherapy is a treatment available both privately and on the NHS and given as an injection, dissolvable tablet or spray, exposing the body to a small amount of the substance they are allergic to, which helps to build tolerance and ‘desensitise’ the body. This cannot be started so close to the pollen season but could be started in the autumn/winter months in preparation for next year.” 

Images: Getty