HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Hay fever
Mate pāwera
Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is a very common condition in New Zealand. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to various pollens.
When pollen comes into contact with the wet surfaces of your body (eyes, nose, and mouth), your body recognises it as being foreign. In most people, the body ignores the pollen, but sometimes the body releases chemicals, one of which is called histamine, which causes inflammation, swelling, itching and redness of the nose and eyes.
If symptoms aren't seasonal and occur all year round even in the winter months (perennial allergic rhinitis), you may have an allergy to house dust mites or to pets (animal dander).
Symptoms of hay fever
Symptoms of hay fever include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy, red or watery eyes and an itchy throat. Most people develop hay fever in childhood, but it can also start when you're an adult.
Although not serious, hay fever can impact your quality of life by making it hard for you to sleep, concentrate at school or work or enjoy being outside.
Treating hay fever
Good preparation and treatment can help. This is particularly important if you also suffer from asthma, because hay fever symptoms can make your asthma worse (80% of people with asthma also have hay fever).
It's important to prepare early for hay fever season by starting treatment two or three weeks before the season begins.
Common treatments include:
- antihistamine tablets (for example, cetirizine and loratadine) and nasal sprays
- corticosteroid nasal sprays
- decongestant nasal sprays (for short-term use)
- eye drops.
You may need to use a combination of these treatments daily to keep your symptoms under control. Steroid injections aren't recommended for managing hay fever because the potential risks outweigh the benefits.
Desensitisation treatments, known as allergen immunotherapy are sometimes used for severe hay fever that will not clear up using other treatments.
Preventing hay fever
Pollens
- Consider staying inside when pollen counts are high such as in the morning, on windy days and after thunderstorms.
- Splash your eyes with cold water or shower after any activities expose you to a lot of pollen
- Avoid mowing lawns, raking leaves and open compost bins.
Pets
- Ideally, do not have a pet.
- If you do, keep your pet outdoors and out of bedrooms.
- Wash them regularly.
Dust mites
- Keep your house well ventilated to avoid a build-up of moist air inside the house (house dust mites thrive in damp conditions).
- Choose vinyl or leather furnishings rather than soft covers.
- Cover mattresses and pillows with dust mite covers.
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA air filter or if possible, get someone else to do the vacuuming.
- Dust with a damp cloth.
- Wash soft toys regularly in hot water or put them in the freezer for one or two days.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Allergy New Zealand – Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
New Zealand information about hay fever. Includes information about symptoms, triggers and treatment. Includes an annual pollen calendar.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIALL-38559
