Hay Fever Treatment Online

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen, dust mites, mould, or animal dander. It affects approximately 4.6 million Australians and is 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

Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Therapeutic Guidelines (eTG) 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.