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Hay fever

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Hay fever is typically worse from late March to September, especially during warm, humid, and windy weather when pollen counts are highest.

Symptoms of hay fever 

Symptoms of hay fever include:

  • Sneezing and coughing
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
  • Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
  • Loss of smell
  • Pain around your temples and forehead
  • Headache
  • Earache
  • Feeling tired

Asthma sufferers may find that their symptoms get worse when suffering from hay fever and may experience a tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.

Unlike a cold, which usually clears up in 1 to 2 weeks, hay fever symptoms can last for weeks or months.

Check the pollen count

Stay informed about pollen levels in your area using the Pollen forecast - from the Met Office.

How to treat hay fever yourself

There are things you can do to ease your hay fever symptoms when the pollen count is high:

  • Put petroleum jelly such as Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or wide-brimmed hat  to stop pollen getting into your eyes
  • Shower and change your clothes after you've been outside to wash pollen off
  • Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
  • Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
  • Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter

Get help from your pharmacist 

If you have hay fever then you can speak to your pharmacist for health advice. Hay fever is one of the conditions covered by the Common Ailments Scheme, which enables pharmacists to offer free advice and treatment for a range of common ailments without having to make a GP appointment. Find your nearest pharmacy or discover more information about pharmacy services in North Wales. 

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