What is hay fever?

Hay fever can affect nearly 18% of New Zealanders every year.1 Read to understand what hay fever is so you can keep it in check.

Understanding your hay fever

Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, mould spores and animal dander. Also called allergic rhinitis, hay fever can affect both the nose and the eyes.2

If you have hay fever, symptoms can develop quickly once you are exposed to an allergen. Common symptoms include:2,3

Runny and itchy nose

Blocked or
congested nose

Sneezing

Red, itchy and
watery eyes

Hay fever symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and not everyone will respond to triggers the same way. It is important to understand your triggers and make a note of your symptoms so you can find the right treatment.

Hay fever symptoms can sometimes be confused with a common cold,check out this page to find out if you have hay fever or a cold

How long does hay fever last?

Hay fever symptoms can last for as long as you are exposed to a trigger. This could mean weeks, months or all year long.4

If you are allergic to pollens, the allergy may last for weeks during peak pollen seasons. In the case of dust mite, mould or pet allergy, the symptoms can last even longer unless treated appropriately.4

How long does hayfever last

Types of hay fever

  • Seasonal

    This is when hay fever symptoms occur at certain times of year (seasons) and only last for a few weeks or months. For example, if you have a specific pollen allergy to grass, flowers, weeds or trees, you may develop hay fever symptoms in spring when the specific pollen counts peak.3

  • Perennial (all year round)

    When hay fever symptoms occur all year around, it is called perennial allergic rhinitis. For example, if your allergy is triggered by indoor allergens such as dust mite, mould or pet dander, your symptoms may persist year-round.3

  • Occupational (work-related)

    This type of hay fever is triggered by chemicals, irritants or allergens in the workplace. If you experience occupational hay fever, there are some tips on how to cope at work.3

Severity of hay fever

  • Ongoing vs sometimes

    Hay fever can also be persistent or intermittent. If your hay fever symptoms occur more than 4 days a week, or for more than 4 weeks, then you have persistent hay fever. If your symptoms occur less than 4 days a week or less than 4 weeks, then you have intermittent hay fever.3

  • Mild vs moderate to severe

    Hay fever is also categorised into mild, moderate or severe. Mild hay fever means you are sleeping normally, and your work, school and daily activities are not affected. If your hay fever symptoms affect either your sleep, daily activities, work or school, then you have moderate to severe hay fever.3

Is hay fever contagious?

Unlike cold or flu, hay fever is not contagious. When you come into contact with a trigger such as a pollen, your immune system may overreact and cause hay fever symptoms.4

Airborne allergens can cause hay fever symptoms by triggering an immune response

Is hayfever contagious

One of the ways the immune system responds to a trigger is by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream, the main one being histamine. Histamine can cause the linings in your nose and throat to become inflamed, leading to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes.

This is your body’s natural defence mechanism as it tries to get rid of the allergen. The symptoms are not contagious.

Learn more about what causes hay fever symptoms here

Impact of hay fever

If left untreated, hay fever symptoms can have negative impacts on daily life. For people with asthma, hay fever symptoms can also make asthma symptoms more difficult to control.6

Hay fever and its symptoms can be associated with:7

Poor sleep

Hay fever symptoms, such as constant sneezing and runny nose, may keep you awake or make it difficult to stay asleep at night. This can impact the quality and duration of your sleep.

Tiredness

Disturbed sleep from hay fever may impact your energy levels and make you feel especially tired during the day. This can affect your ability to focus and participate in daily activities.

Worsening asthma

Persistent hay fever may make asthma symptoms worse and more difficult to control.

Missing out on activities

Hay fever can also impact work or school performance. Symptoms can prevent you from attending social activities, and contribute to feelings of general irritability.

View tips on how to cope with hay fever symptoms at work

Related Articles

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What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Hay fever can have an impact on your day-to-day life and wellbeing. Learn more about hay fever symptoms so you can find the right treatment.

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What causes hay fever?

Several factors can trigger hay fever symptoms or make them worse. Knowing your triggers can help you manage them better.

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Pollen Allergy: How do I know when my hay fever trigger is in season?

If you have pollen allergy, you can develop hay fever symptoms at specific times of the year. Find out what types of pollen may trigger your symptoms, when they typically peak in your area and the steps you can take.

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How to stop a runny nose caused by hay fever

A constantly runny nose due to hay fever can be a problem.1,2 The good news is that several treatment options can help.1

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Do you have hay fever or a cold?

Hay fever and a cold can feel the same and have similar symptoms. Find out what makes them very different.

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References

  1. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Allergic. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever) - Fast Facts. Available at:https://www.allergy.org.au. Accessed: September 2023.
  2. Better Health Channel. Hay fever. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hay-fever Accessed: September 2023.
  3. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Allergic rhinitis clinical update. Available at: https://allergy.org.au/hp/papers/allergic-rhinitis-clinical-update Accessed: September 2023.
  4. News in Health (NIH). Cold, flu or allergy? Know this different for best treatment. Available at: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/10/cold-flu-or-allergy Accessed: September 2023.
  5. Cleveland Clinic. Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8622-allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever Accessed: September 2023.
  6. Asthma Australia. Asthma and hay fever. Available at: https://asthma.org.au/triggers/hay-fever-and-pollen Accessed: September 2023.
  7. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Hay fever. Available at: https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/hay-fever Accessed: September 2023.