Medically reviewed by
Medically reviewed by
Dr Amanda Northridge
GP & Medical Reviewer·MBBS·GMC 2847829
Itchy eyes, sneezing and a blocked nose that won't let up? Speak to a GP today about hay fever — stronger antihistamines or steroid nasal spray arranged with your pharmacy where appropriate.
GP appointments from £125 — see full pricing
If any of these apply, please go straight to the service listed. FastTrack is for non-emergency private GP care only.
Enough for most people with hay fever. Seen today — treatment arranged with your pharmacy if needed.
For an eye or chest exam — same-day appointments in Manchester.
A qualified GP reviews your symptoms, triggers and how long hay fever has been affecting you. Video or in-clinic.
Your GP confirms whether it's hay fever or something else — like a cold, sinus infection or non-allergic rhinitis.
If pharmacy antihistamines haven't worked, your GP can arrange stronger options — including steroid nasal sprays, eye drops or short courses of oral treatment — arranged with your pharmacy the same day.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to airborne pollen from grass, trees or weeds. Your immune system mistakes pollen for a threat and releases histamine, which inflames the lining of your nose, eyes and throat. It's most common from late March to September but can strike outside those months too. You're more likely to have hay fever if you have:
Sudden breathing difficulty, throat tightness or facial swelling could be anaphylaxis. Call 999 or go to A&E straight away.
Hay fever overlaps with colds, sinusitis and non-allergic rhinitis. A GP can tell the difference quickly and start the right treatment the same day.
No. A cold is viral and clears in 7–10 days. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen — it lasts as long as you're exposed, usually weeks or months in season. Hay fever typically brings itchy eyes and a clear, watery runny nose; a cold usually brings thicker mucus and sometimes a mild temperature.
Tree pollen season runs late March to mid-May. Grass pollen — the most common trigger — peaks mid-May to July. Weed pollen runs end of June through September. Some people get symptoms from mould spores outside these windows.
A GP can arrange stronger options — including steroid nasal sprays, stronger antihistamines, steroid eye drops, or short courses of oral steroids for severe flares. We can also check whether you're taking your current medication correctly — technique matters for nasal sprays.
Yes — uncontrolled hay fever is a common trigger for asthma flares. If you have both, treating the hay fever properly usually improves asthma control too. Tell your GP if your reliever use has gone up during pollen season.
Yes — if treatment is appropriate after your consultation, we arrange it with your pharmacy straight after the call. Most people pick up their medication the same day.
Video or in-clinic, 15 minutes. Your GP takes a focused history, examines you, and explains what they think is going on.
Blood tests, swabs, urine samples or imaging — your GP arranges what fits and shares the timeline at the appointment.
Treatment arranged with your pharmacy after the call. Sick notes issued at the visit. Specialist referral letters written the same day when needed.
Sources: NHS Hay fever · NICE CKS Allergic rhinitis