Hay fever in Ireland: how to actually get relief this season

Itchy eyes, blocked nose and endless sneezing? Here is how to get ahead of the pollen and feel like yourself again.

When the Irish summer finally arrives, so does the pollen. If you spend the season sneezing, with itchy eyes and a blocked nose, you are far from alone. The key with hay fever is getting ahead of it rather than chasing it, and a quick chat with your pharmacist can make a real difference.

Start before the symptoms do

This is the single most useful tip. If you know you get hay fever every year, begin your treatment a week or two before the pollen count climbs. Antihistamines work far better as a preventative than as a rescue once you are already miserable.

Know your options

There is more than one type of treatment, and the right one depends on your symptoms:

• Antihistamine tablets for general sneezing, itching and a runny nose
• Steroid nasal sprays, which are excellent for a blocked or congested nose but need a few days to build up
• Antihistamine eye drops for itchy, streaming eyes
• Non-drowsy options if you are driving or working

Simple things that help

• Check the daily pollen forecast and plan outdoor time around it
• Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes
• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors to wash off pollen
• Keep windows closed on high-pollen days, especially in the early morning and evening
• Dry washing indoors when the count is high

Hay fever is so common that people just put up with it. You really do not have to. The right treatment, started early, can give you your summer back.

When to ask us

If over-the-counter treatments are not cutting it, or your symptoms are affecting your sleep, work or asthma, come in for a chat. We will talk through what you have tried and help you find something that actually works.