Many people associate hayfever exclusively with spring or summer, but hayfever in autumn and winter is very real for many sufferers. This guide will give you expert insight into common hayfever symptoms in winter, effective treatments, and tips on how to tell winter allergies and hayfever apart from colds or flu.
Can You Get Hayfever in Winter?
Yes, you can get hayfever in winter.
While hayfever is most commonly associated with spring and summer due to high levels of tree, grass and weed pollen, the truth is that hayfever can occur in autumn and winter - though it's less common.
Hayfever symptoms are triggered by pollen. In the cooler months in the UK, less pollen is released and humidity is lower, which is good news if you’re a hayfever sufferer or your children have hayfever, as it usually means less reliance on your hayfever tablets to manage symptoms.
However, autumn-blooming plants such as nettles, mugwort and some fungi spores can still release pollen into early winter in some regions across the UK. So, if you're experiencing hayfever-like symptoms during the colder months, it's likely you're reacting to these less common, seasonal pollens.
What are the Hayfever Symptoms in Winter?
Winter hayfever symptoms are often the same as those in spring or summer, and may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Itchy throat, ears or nose
- Postnasal drip
- Coughing (due to throat irritation)
- Fatigue (due to disrupted sleep)
Remember though, it’s important to distinguish between hayfever and the common cold or even flu symptoms, to ensure that you get the right treatment. Cold and flu viruses thrive in the autumn and winter, largely due to more people being indoors allowing them to spread quicker. The symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion and tiredness do overlap, which can lead to confusion in diagnosis. Speak to your GP or make an appointment with an online doctor to help you diagnose and get the right treatment.
Hayfever vs. Cold or Flu in Winter: How to Tell the Difference
In winter, it can be tricky to tell hayfever apart from colds or flu, since symptoms often overlap. Here's our expert guide on how to distinguish between them:
| Hayfever | Common Cold | Flu | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | Allergens (e.g. pollen) | Various viruses (e.g. rhinovirus) | Influenza virus |
| Symptoms | Sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, itchy nose/throat, clear runny nose, nasal congestion | Sneezing, runny/stuffy nose, mild sore throat, mild cough, mild fatigue, watery eyes | High fever, chills, body aches, dry cough, extreme fatigue, headache, sometimes sore throat and stuffy nose |
| Onset of Symptoms | Sudden, especially after allergen exposure | Gradual – over one to two days | Sudden – within a few hours |
| Duration | Weeks to months, as long as allergen is present | Around three days to a week | Up to 10 days (fatigue may last longer) |
| Typical Season | All-year round, peaks spring/summer | All-year round, peaks in winter | Peaks winter |
| Response to antihistamines | Symptoms improve significantly | Little to no effect |
Little to no effect |
| Contagious | No | Yes | Yes |
How to Manage Hayfever During Winter
Over-the-Counter Treatments from Weldricks Pharmacy
To relieve hayfever in winter, Weldricks Pharmacy offers antihistamines such as the popular cetirizine hydrochloride, hayfever nasal sprays, and decongestants that target sneezing, congestion and itchy eyes. Drug-free nasal sprays like NasoGel hydrates and lubricates dry and irritated nasal passages caused by dry climate and indoor heat, making it a great option for winter allergies. Always check with a pharmacist to ensure treatments are suitable for your specific symptoms and health conditions. If you have hayfever whilst pregnant or breastfeeding, we recommend reading our in-depth guide.
Natural Remedies That May Help Winter Hayfever
Natural options for hayfever in winter include using saline nasal rinses, steam inhalation and herbal teas like nettle or chamomile. These can soothe symptoms without medication, especially in mild cases. Keeping your living space clean and allergen-free, including changing bedsheets and washing your clothes more regularly can also help soothe your hayfever in autumn or winter.
Winter Allergies and How to Manage Them
Along with winter hayfever, there are other allergy triggers at play. Many people associate allergies with spring and summer pollen, but winter allergies are a common and often overlooked problem. As temperatures drop, we spend more time indoors, exposing ourselves to dust mites, pet dander and dry indoor air, all of which can trigger allergic reactions.
Winter Allergy Triggers
Winter allergy triggers include:
- Dust mites – thrive in warm bedding, carpets and soft furnishings
- Pet dander – microscopic flakes of skin shed by cats, dogs and other animals
- Mould spores – often found in damp areas like bathrooms or around windows
- Dry indoor air – caused by central heating, which can irritate airways and worsen symptoms
- Christmas trees – both real and artificial can carry dust, mould or chemicals
- Autumn / winter flowering plants - pollen can cause winter hayfever
The weather also has a significant effect on allergy symptoms so you may find that your eyes start to water and your head feels stuffy when the temperatures start to drop.
During the colder months, we tend to spend more time indoors. Indoor allergies are more prominent in winter and you could be affected by dust mites and pet dander as a result. There are a number of things that you can do to prevent these symptoms. Using a dehumidifier and allergy proof linens can help a lot and if you plan to have a tree at Christmas, an artificial one attracts less chemicals and mold.
Winter Allergy Remedies
Unfortunately, you can’t prevent allergies but you can prepare for them. If you suffer from winter allergies, putting together a seasonal survival kit can help to reduce the symptoms significantly.
As well as taking steps to discover what triggers the symptoms, there are a number of allergy treatments that can relieve the symptoms such as itchy eyes and nasal congestion. If you are allergy prone, antihistamines and decongestants can provide quick relief.
At Weldricks we stock a range of over the counter allergy relief products to provide respite from coughing, sniffling and itching. Shop online with us today.