Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Allergic rhinitis, often referred to as hay fever, is an allergic reaction that results in sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy, watery eyes. It occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, fungal spores, and air pollutants. This condition can be seasonal, typically due to pollen, or perennial, triggered by dust and pet fur.
Hay fever is a widespread chronic respiratory condition in Australia. It is more common among adults of working age compared to children and the elderly and is more frequently reported by women.
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can significantly disrupt daily life. Severe cases may lead to sleep issues, daytime fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, frequent ear or sinus infections, and worsening asthma.
Most people manage allergic rhinitis by avoiding triggers and using medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays. For ongoing or severe symptoms, it is important to see a doctor. Allergy tests can help pinpoint specific allergens, allowing for more effective management and treatment of symptoms.
Grass & pollen allergy
Pollen, released from grasses, weeds, and trees, fertilises plants but can cause allergic reactions in some people, leading to hay fever. Pollen can also trigger asthma symptoms.
See your doctor if you have persistent symptoms, especially during spring and summer, or if your medications aren’t working. Grass pollen allergies, causing hay fever and thunderstorm asthma, are more common in specific seasons, varying by region.
Grass pollen levels are higher during certain months: January to March in northern coastal areas and October to December in southern Australia. Inland areas and the south coast generally have more grass pollen.
Check the ASCIA pollen calendar to understand your risk periods and manage exposure. With proper strategies and treatments, you can reduce the impact of pollen allergies.
Symptoms
Hay fever occurs when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen, causing inflammation and increased mucus production in the nasal passages. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- Itchy, runny, or blocked nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Frequent sneezing
- Mouth breathing
- Constant throat clearing
- Persistent cold-like feeling
- Snoring
Less common symptoms:
- Disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Frequent headaches or facial pain
- Recurring sore throats
- Reduced sense of smell
- Frequent sinus infections in adults
- Recurrent ear infections in children
These symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions but persist without treatment. Untreated allergic rhinitis can lead to complications like poor sleep, daytime fatigue, headaches, and recurrent infections, and is also associated with the development of asthma. Speak to a doctor about your hay fever symptoms.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment, your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history and lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about hay fever & allergies.
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