Hayfever Symptoms
Hayfever can be a lot like having a common cold, but the effects (the ‘symptoms’) can last for weeks or even months, rather than just days.
If you or a family member suffers from hayfever, you’ll be very familiar with the most common symptoms which include:
► Sneezing
► Clear runny nose
► Stuffy nose
► Itchy throat
► Itchy, watery eyes
People with hayfever may also get tired, largely due to the impact the symptoms may have on good sleep.
Hayfever or common cold?
This table should help you decide which it is:
| Symptoms |
Allergies |
Cold |
| Duration |
Weeks or months, as long as the allergen is still present |
Typically lasts 7-14 days |
| Mild fever |
Unlikely |
Likely |
| Nasal discharge |
Thin, watery and clear |
Thick, cloudy and sometimes coloured |
| Mucus production |
Light or minimal |
Heavy (requires frequent nose blowing) |
| Sneezing |
Frequent |
Occasional |
| Watery and itchy eyes |
Likely |
Unlikely |
| Throat |
Itchy |
Sore or painful |
Severity of symptoms
How bad the symptoms are is usually dependent on how much contact you have with the substance you’re allergic to; the ‘allergen’.
So many people with seasonal hayfever check the pollen count, because on days when the pollen count is expected to be high, their hayfever may be worse (so they choose to stay indoors).
Read about:
Minimising the impact of hayfever