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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffHay fever symptoms usually start immediately after you're exposed to a specific allergy-causing substance (allergen) and can include:
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Watery or itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
- Sinus pressure and facial pain
- Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)
- Decreased sense of smell or taste
Your hay fever symptoms may start or worsen at a particular time of year, triggered by tree pollen, grasses or weeds, which all bloom at different times. If you're sensitive to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold or pet dander, you may have year-round symptoms. Many people have allergy symptoms all year long, but their symptoms get worse during certain times of the year.
Although hay fever can begin at any age, you're most likely to develop it during childhood or early adulthood. It's common for the severity of hay fever reactions to change over the years. For most people, hay fever symptoms tend to diminish slowly, often over decades.
Is it hay fever? Or is it a cold?
Signs and symptoms can be different. Here's how to tell which one's causing your symptoms:
| Hay fever | Colds | |
|---|---|---|
| Signs and symptoms | Runny nose with thin, watery discharge; no fever | Runny nose with watery or thick yellow discharge; body aches; low-grade fever |
| Onset | Immediately after exposure to allergens | One to three days after exposure to a cold virus |
| Duration | As long as you're exposed to allergens | Five to seven days |
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if:
- You think you may have hay fever
- Your symptoms are ongoing and bothersome
- Allergy medications aren't working for you
- Allergy medications work, but side effects are a problem
- You have another condition that can worsen hay fever symptoms, such as nasal polyps, asthma or frequent sinus infections
Many people — especially children — get used to hay fever symptoms. But getting the right treatment can reduce irritating symptoms. In some cases, treatment may help prevent more serious allergic conditions such as asthma or eczema.
You may want to see an allergy specialist (allergist) if:
- Your symptoms are severe
- Hay fever is a year-round nuisance
- Allergy medications are not controlling your symptoms
- Your allergy medications are causing side effects
- You want to find out whether allergy shots (immunotherapy) might be an option for you
- Weber RW. Allergic rhinitis. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:1.
- Eapen RJ, et al. Allergic rhinitis — History and presentation. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2008;41:325.
- deShazo RD, et al. Patient information: Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Practice parameters for managing allergic rhinitis. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0701/p79.html. Accessed Feb. 25, 2010.
- deShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Rabago D, et al. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. American Family Physician. 2009;80:1117.
- Tips to remember: Indoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/indoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Outdoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Herbs and other dietary supplements. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:173.
- Man L. Complementary and alternative medicine for allergic rhinitis. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 2009;17:226.
- Naegleria FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2011.
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