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Hay Fever Treatment Online

Allergic rhinitis flares with grass and tree pollen each spring. A NewDoc GP can confirm hay fever, recommend a stepped treatment plan, and refer to an allergist if symptoms are severe or treatment-resistant.

Can a telehealth GP help with hay fever?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can assess hay fever (allergic rhinitis) by video, prescribe prescription-strength antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, eye drops, and other allergy medications where clinically appropriate, and discuss trigger avoidance.

For severe or treatment-resistant hay fever, your GP can refer you to an allergist or immunologist for skin-prick testing, blood tests, or immunotherapy. The consultation, eScript, and referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

What is hay fever?

Per Healthdirect Australia and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), hay fever — also known as allergic rhinitis — is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen, dust mites, mould, or animal dander. The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Health Survey estimates it affects approximately 4.6 million Australians (around 19% of adults), making it one of the most common chronic conditions in the country. Hay fever can be seasonal (triggered by pollen in spring and summer) or perennial (year-round, triggered by indoor allergens).

Symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery eyes, an itchy throat or palate, and postnasal drip. For many people, hay fever significantly affects sleep quality, concentration, productivity, and overall quality of life.

While hay fever is not life-threatening, it can worsen asthma symptoms and is associated with sinusitis, ear infections, and poor sleep. Appropriate treatment may help provide relief and support daily functioning.

When to see a doctor about hay fever

You should see a GP if over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays are not adequately controlling your symptoms, if hay fever is affecting your sleep or daily activities, or if you also have asthma that worsens during allergy season.

A GP can help distinguish hay fever from other conditions such as sinusitis or nasal polyps, and can provide prescription-strength treatments that offer better symptom control than pharmacy products alone.

How a telehealth GP can help with hay fever

A NewDoc telehealth GP can assess your hay fever symptoms, review your current treatments, and prescribe more effective medications. Telehealth is particularly convenient during peak pollen season when you may want to avoid spending time outdoors travelling to a clinic.

Your GP can prescribe prescription-strength antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, combination sprays, and eye drops. They can also refer you to an allergist for skin prick testing or immunotherapy if your symptoms are severe, and help manage co-existing conditions like asthma.

Common hay fever triggers in Australia

Australia has some of the highest rates of allergic rhinitis in the world, and understanding your triggers is an important step toward managing symptoms. Grass pollen is the most common trigger for seasonal hay fever in Australia, with ryegrass pollen particularly prevalent across south-eastern states. Tree pollen from species such as birch, oak, and cypress may also contribute, especially in early spring.

Weed pollen, including from plantain and ragweed, can trigger symptoms from late spring through autumn. For people with perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis, indoor allergens such as dust mites, mould spores, and animal dander are common culprits. Dust mites thrive in humid coastal climates and are one of the most frequent causes of persistent nasal symptoms in Australian households.

Seasonal patterns vary by region, but spring and early summer are typically the worst periods for pollen allergy across most of Australia. Warm, windy days tend to carry higher pollen counts, while rain can temporarily reduce airborne pollen levels.

In parts of south-eastern Australia, thunderstorm asthma is an additional risk during pollen season. Severe thunderstorms can break grass pollen into tiny respirable fragments, triggering sudden and widespread breathing difficulties. People with hay fever who have not previously experienced asthma may still be affected. Your GP can assess your risk and help you develop a plan to stay safe during high-risk weather events.

Hay fever medications: antihistamines, steroid sprays, eye drops

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and the Australian Therapeutic Guidelines recommend a stepped approach: oral antihistamines for mild symptoms, intranasal corticosteroids for moderate-to-severe symptoms, combination sprays for breakthrough, and immunotherapy for severe or treatment-resistant cases.

Non-sedating oral antihistamines — first-line for mild symptoms

  • Fexofenadine (Telfast) 60–180 mg daily — least sedating; preferred for drivers and shift workers
  • Loratadine (Claratyne) 10 mg daily — widely available OTC; PBS general
  • Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10 mg daily — mildly sedating in a minority of users
  • Desloratadine (Aerius) 5 mg daily — active metabolite of loratadine
  • Levocetirizine (Xyzal) 5 mg daily — active metabolite of cetirizine

Sedating antihistamines (promethazine, chlorpheniramine) are no longer recommended for routine hay fever because of next-day sedation and anticholinergic effects, especially in older adults.

Intranasal corticosteroids — first-line for moderate-to-severe symptoms

  • Mometasone (Nasonex, Nasonex Allergy) — well-tolerated; some formulations available OTC, others PBS prescription
  • Fluticasone furoate (Avamys) — once-daily; PBS-listed
  • Budesonide (Rhinocort) — established, OTC available
  • Fluticasone propionate (Beconase) — also OTC at low strength

Intranasal corticosteroids work best when started a week or two before peak pollen season and used regularly throughout. Proper technique (head slightly forward, spray angled outward away from the septum) reduces nosebleeds and improves efficacy.

Combination sprays and eye drops for breakthrough symptoms

  • Azelastine + fluticasone (Dymista) — combined antihistamine + corticosteroid nasal spray for moderate-to-severe symptoms; PBS-listed
  • Olopatadine eye drops (Patanol) — twice-daily antihistamine for itchy, watery eyes
  • Ketotifen eye drops (Zaditen) — alternative antihistamine eye drop
  • Sodium cromoglycate (Opticrom) — mast-cell stabiliser eye drop, used regularly

Allergen immunotherapy and specialist referral

For severe or treatment-resistant hay fever, your GP can refer you to a clinical immunologist or allergist for allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation) — either subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). This involves gradually increasing doses of the allergen over 3–5 years to build tolerance.

Co-management with asthma is important — most people with hay fever also have airway hyperreactivity, and uncontrolled hay fever worsens asthma. A combined plan (asthma preventer + hay fever spray + antihistamine) gives the best symptom control.

Managing hay fever day to day

Alongside medical treatment, practical lifestyle adjustments may help reduce your exposure to allergens and ease hay fever symptoms. Checking daily pollen forecasts, such as those provided by AusPollen or local weather services, can help you plan outdoor activities for lower-risk times. On high pollen count days or when it is windy, staying indoors with windows and doors closed may help limit your exposure.

After spending time outdoors, showering and changing clothes can help remove pollen from your skin and hair. Wearing wrap-around sunglasses when outside may help protect your eyes from airborne pollen. During pollen season, drying clothes indoors or in a dryer rather than on an outdoor clothesline can prevent pollen from settling on fabric.

Using a HEPA air purifier in your bedroom may help reduce indoor allergen levels, and regular nasal saline rinses can help clear pollen and irritants from the nasal passages. If you are unsure which strategies are most appropriate for your situation, an online GP in Australia can provide personalised advice during a bulk billed telehealth consultation through Medicare.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 15 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP prescribe hay fever medication?

Yes. A GP can prescribe prescription-strength antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, eye drops, and other allergy medications during a telehealth consultation. Many are available on the PBS.

Is telehealth suitable for hay fever treatment?

Yes. Hay fever is well suited to telehealth consultations. Your GP can assess your symptoms, review your current treatments, and prescribe or adjust medications without the need for a physical examination.

Can a GP refer me to an allergist?

Yes. If your hay fever is severe or not responding to standard treatments, your GP can refer you to an allergist or immunologist for skin prick testing, blood tests, or immunotherapy (desensitisation).

Is the hay fever consultation bulk billed?

Yes. NewDoc bulk bills telehealth consultations for eligible Medicare cardholders. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the GP appointment.

What is the difference between hay fever and a cold?

Hay fever symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes) tend to persist for weeks during allergy season and include itchiness, while colds usually resolve within 7 to 10 days and may include body aches and fever. Your GP can help determine which you have.

When does hay fever season start in Australia?

Hay fever season in Australia is broadly spring to early summer (September to December), driven mostly by grass-pollen release. The exact timing varies by region: south-eastern states (Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, ACT, southern SA) typically peak October–December when ryegrass pollen is at its highest; subtropical regions (Queensland, northern NSW) can have a longer, less defined pollen season; Western Australia peaks slightly earlier (September–November). Tree pollens (birch, oak, cypress) add an earlier shoulder season in late winter / early spring, and weed pollens (plantain, ragweed) can extend symptoms into autumn. The AusPollen forecast service and Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy publish region-specific guidance — and pre-treating with an intranasal corticosteroid 1–2 weeks before your local peak is the single most effective preventive step per Australian Therapeutic Guidelines.

Can hay fever cause asthma symptoms?

Yes. Hay fever and asthma are closely linked as part of what is sometimes called allergic airways disease. Uncontrolled allergic rhinitis may worsen asthma symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Your GP can help manage both conditions together with an appropriate treatment plan.

What is thunderstorm asthma and how does it relate to hay fever?

Thunderstorm asthma occurs when storms break pollen grains into tiny particles during peak pollen season, which can be inhaled deep into the lungs and trigger severe breathing difficulties. People with hay fever, even those without a history of asthma, may be at risk. Your GP can help you prepare with an asthma action plan and appropriate preventive medications.

What is the root cause of hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by an immune-system over-reaction to harmless airborne particles — most commonly grass pollens (especially ryegrass in south-eastern Australia), tree pollens (birch, oak, cypress), weed pollens (plantain, ragweed), house dust mites, mould spores, and animal dander. The immune system mistakenly identifies these allergens as a threat and releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators, which produce the classic sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. Per the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), about 80% of people with hay fever have inherited an atopic tendency (genetic predisposition to develop allergies, asthma, and eczema), and exposure to allergens early in life and during sensitive periods of immune development plays a role. Identifying your specific triggers — through history alone, or via allergy testing if symptoms are severe — is central to long-term management.

What is the best treatment for hay fever?

The Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and ASCIA recommend a stepped approach. First-line for most adults is an intranasal corticosteroid spray (mometasone / Nasonex, fluticasone / Avamys, or budesonide / Rhinocort) used daily — these reduce inflammation and treat the underlying cause, not just the symptoms. Adding a non-sedating oral antihistamine (fexofenadine / Telfast, loratadine / Claratyne, cetirizine / Zyrtec) helps with itch, sneezing, and watery eyes. For more severe symptoms, a combination intranasal spray with both an antihistamine and a corticosteroid (azelastine + fluticasone / Dymista) is highly effective. Pre-treating 1-2 weeks before your local pollen peak is the single most effective preventive step. For people with severe, year-round, or treatment-resistant symptoms, allergen immunotherapy (sublingual tablets or subcutaneous injections) can durably modify the immune response — your GP can refer you to an allergist or immunologist to start.

What is the best natural remedy for hayfever?

No 'natural remedy' has the same evidence base as intranasal corticosteroid sprays, but several non-pharmaceutical strategies have moderate evidence and can complement medical treatment. Saline nasal rinses (using a neti pot or squeeze bottle with sterile saline solution, once or twice daily) physically clear pollen and inflammatory mediators from the nasal passages — multiple Cochrane reviews support this. Reducing allergen exposure by closing windows on high-pollen days, showering and changing clothes after outdoor activity, using HEPA filters in the bedroom, and washing pet bedding regularly all help. Honey from local bees, butterbur, quercetin, and probiotics have weak or mixed evidence and are not first-line. Acupuncture has shown small benefit in some trials but is not a substitute for proven treatments. Your telehealth GP can discuss which complementary approaches might suit your situation alongside evidence-based therapy.

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