Hay Fever
Educational information. Individual clinical review of this presentation by Dr. Ehsan is not yet documented. It does not replace personal medical evaluation.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Read the original source
MedlinePlus data edition September 26, 2026. Imported September 27, 2026. These dates do not indicate a new clinical review of the article.
Each spring, summer, and fall, trees, weeds, and grasses release tiny pollen grains into the air. Some of the pollen ends up in your nose and throat. This can trigger a type of allergy called hay fever.
Symptoms can include:
- Sneezing, often with a runny or clogged nose
- Coughing and postnasal drip
- Itching eyes, nose and throat
- Red and watery eyes
- Dark circles under the eyes
Your health care provider may diagnose hay fever based on a physical exam and your symptoms. Sometimes skin or blood tests are used. Taking medicines and using nasal sprays can relieve symptoms. You can also rinse out your nose, but be sure to use distilled or sterilized water with saline. Allergy shots can help make you less sensitive to pollen and provide long-term relief.
Symptoms, tests and care options
Further reading selected by MedlinePlus. Links open the original organizations’ websites.
- 6 Things To Know About Complementary Health Approaches for Seasonal Allergy Relief · National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Allergy Blood Test · National Library of Medicine
- Allergy Skin Test · National Library of Medicine
- Hay Fever Medications · American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
- Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? · Food and Drug Administration
Questions for your care team
General prompts to help prepare for your appointment.
- How does this information apply to my situation?
- Which symptoms or results need evaluation?
- Which tests are useful, and what can they tell us?
- What care options, benefits, and risks should we discuss?
- When should I seek urgent help, and whom should I call?
- When is follow-up, and how will we know whether the plan is working?
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number.
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