Hayfever

Hay fever is a common allergic condition that affects up to one in five people at some point in their life.

Symptoms of hay fever include:

• sneezing
• a runny nose
• itchy eyes

The symptoms of hay fever are caused when a person has an allergic reaction to pollen.

Who is affected?

Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions. It is estimated that there are more than 10 million people with hay fever in England.

Hay fever usually begins in childhood or during the teenage years, but you can get it at any age.

The condition is more common in boys than in girls. In adults, men and women are equally affected.

Hay fever is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema.