August 24, 2026 | Read time: 3 mins

Beth Wright

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The Growing Buzz Around Hay Fever

Hay fever, the inescapable affliction of springtime.

Sure, spring is pretty, but with the multitudinous new blooms comes waves of pollen, and soon enough spring becomes a sneezy, sniffly, watery-eyed ordeal. But what exactly is it, why haven’t we fixed it, and what can we do about it?

Let’s dive in, nose-first, into the pollen-packed world of hay fever.

What is Hay Fever? Understanding the Allergy That Loves to Annoy

Hay fever, known as allergic rhinitis, is extremely common [1]. It is thought that at least 25% of people in developed countries will be affected by hay fever, over 400 million worldwide [2].

It is not picky - hay fever impacts people of all sexes and all ages [1], although family history of allergies or asthma may increase your chance of developing it. Although hay fever may not always be extremely serious, it is a risk factor for illnesses such as asthma and can negatively impact quality of life and productivity at work and school [1,3].

So, how does it work?

Allergic rhinitis is your body’s overreaction to harmless substances like pollen, dust, or pet hair [4]. These substances are known as ‘allergens’, and your immune system wrongly recognises this pollen or dust as a threat, producing antibodies (specifically IgE antibodies), ultimately triggering symptoms like sneezing, itching, or inflammation.

Hay fever symptoms do, however, vary between person to person.

This is because no one person’s immune system is the same as another. This means that each individual will have a different response to pollen, depending on their immunological environment, and the amount or type of pollen in the air.

How hay fever is treated - and why it cannot be cured

The common treatments for hay fever are antihistamines. These target the inflammatory products of cells triggered by the hay fever-induced immune response. Intranasal antihistamines are effective treatments, sometimes working within 15 minutes of dosage. Comparatively, intranasal corticosteroids may be single daily dosages, but their onset of action is much longer, working within 12 hours, with good efficacy.

Immunotherapy is another option, where sublingual or subcutaneous allergy shots retrain your immune system to relax. Currently, it is the only treatment that may actually change the body’s sensitisation to pollen [1].

Avoiding triggers such as pollen remains an important strategy, though it can be difficult in everyday life.

While these treatments can significantly reduce symptoms, hay fever cannot yet be fully cured because the immune system’s tendency to overreact to harmless substances is still not completely reversible.

Of course, these are just some of the available options, and treatment can vary depending on individual needs.

What’s Next for Hay Fever: Research, Remedies, and Relief on the Horizon

Hay fever rates are on the rise, and several modern factors are likely to blame. Climate change is extending pollen seasons and increasing pollen intensity, while air pollution and urbanisation can worsen how our bodies react to allergens. At the same time, growing up in overly “clean” or hypoallergenic environments may leave the immune system less prepared, making it more likely to overreact to harmless substances like pollen.

There’s also increasing concern around “thunderstorm asthma,” where sudden weather changes can trigger severe symptoms in people with hay fever - even those without a prior asthma diagnosis.

As these factors become more common, understanding and managing hay fever is more important than ever. Researchers are working to uncover why rates are climbing and to develop better treatments, from improved immunotherapy options to pollen-tracking apps and new therapies on the horizon.

So whether you deal with symptoms every year or only occasionally, you’re far from alone - and better relief options are continuing to emerge. Until then, keep the antihistamines handy and enjoy the outdoors… just with a little caution.

References

1. Greiner A, Hellings P, Rotiroti G et al. Allergic rhinitis. The Lancet, 2011; 378, 2112-2122. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60130-X External Link
2. Sheikh, A., Singh Panesar, S., Salvilla, S., & Dhami, S. (2009). Hay fever in adolescents and adults. BMJ clinical evidence, 2009, 0509. Hay fever in adolescents and adults - PMC
3. B.Sousa-Pinto, J.Bousquet, R. J.Vieira, et al., “Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA)-EAACI Guidelines—2024–2025 Revision: Part I—Guidelines on Intranasal Treatments,” Allergy81, no. 4 (2026): 954–976, **https://doi.org/10.1111/all.70131**.
4. Durham S. R. (1998). The inflammatory nature of allergic disease. Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 28 Suppl 6, 20–24. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.0280s6020.x

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