20% off €35

Code:SUN
Vitamins & SupplementsCBDCollagen & SilicaHair, Skin & NailsShop all Hair, Skin & NailsHair GrowthFunctional MushroomsVitaminsShop all VitaminsMultivitaminsVitamin AVitamin BVitamin CVitamin DVitamin EVitamin KVitamin DrinksMineralsShop all MineralsMagnesiumIronZincCalciumSeleniumChromiumSupplementsShop all SupplementsFibre SupplementsAcidophilus & Friendly BacteriaPeppermint OilGrapeseed ExtractLecithinCollagen & SilicaOmega & Fish OilsPlant Sourced SupplementsSuperfood SupplementsArnicaApple CiderRaspberry KetonesAloe VeraChondroitin & MSMCo Enzyme Q10Evening Primrose OilGarlicGlucosamineGlucomannanSeaweed, Kelps and AquaceuticalsDigestive EnzymesCharcoalWomen's HealthShop all Women's HealthMenopauseMenstrual SupportUrinary Tract HealthPregnancy & ConceptionMen's HealthShop all Men's HealthProstate HealthChildren's HealthConditionShop all ConditionCholesterolAllergy & Hay Fever CareAnxiety SupportBone & Muscle HealthMuscle Support & Joint PainBrain & Memory SupportWomen's HealthMen's HealthChildren's HealthCold & Immune SupportFatigueDigestive HealthHair, Skin & NailsHeart & CirculationLiver CareMood SupportSexual HealthSleep & RelaxationStress ReliefVisionHerbal & Licensed RemediesShop all Herbal & Licensed RemediesRescue RemedyAshwagandhaMilk ThistleGinseng & GuaranaHomeopathic & Flower RemediesShop all Homeopathic & Flower RemediesRescue RemedyVegan Vitamins & SupplementsHolland & BarrettVitabioticsSolgarNew NordicBetterYouNovominsBioglanNatures AidWild NutritionDAME3 for 2 Mix & MatchBuy one get one 1/2 priceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeSave up to 1/2 PriceBack in demandOutlet3 for €18Dairy FreeGluten FreeSugar FreeSesame Seed FreeSoya FreeAlcohol FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeLion's Mane MushroomApple Cider VinegarReishi MushroomChaga MushroomCollagenCastor OilShiitake MushroomVitamin EAloe VeraMaitake MushroomNew inFood & DrinkVegan Food & DrinkDried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsShop all Dried Fruit, Nuts & SeedsDried FruitNutsSeedsMixesChocolate CoatedManuka HoneyTeas, Coffee & Hot BeveragesShop all Teas, Coffee & Hot BeveragesCoffee & Coffee SubstituteMushroom DrinksTeasMatcha & Green TeaSleep & Relaxation TeaSlimming TeaWomen's Health TeasDrinks & JuicesShop all Drinks & JuicesMultipack DrinksProtein ShakesJuices & Health ShotsNatural Energy DrinksKombuchaSoft DrinksWaterAlcohol Free DrinksKefirSuperfoodsShop all SuperfoodsSuperfood PowdersMoringa PowderSpirulinaGoji BerriesBaobabChia SeedsHealthier SnackingShop all Healthier SnackingProtein BarsLow Calorie SnacksChocolate, Cakes & BiscuitsSavoury SnacksSweet SnacksSnack BarsCrisps & ChipsFlapjacksPopcornFood CupboardShop all Food CupboardCondiments & SaucesApple Cider VinegarSuperfoodsBreakfast CerealsHoney, Jams & SpreadsTinned FoodsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHoney, Jams & SpreadsShop all Honey, Jams & SpreadsManuka HoneyHoneyNut ButtersJams & ChutneysSpreadsPateBreakfast CerealsShop all Breakfast CerealsCereals, Bran & FlakesGranolaMuesliOats & PorridgeBreakfast BarsCookingShop all CookingCooking IngredientsApple Cider VinegarCondiments & SaucesSoya & Meat AlternativeSoup & Ready MealsRice, Pasta, Pulses & GrainsHerbs, Spices & SeasoningGravy & StockHome BakingShop all Home BakingBaking MixesBreadFlourSweeteners & Sugar AlternativesEgg SubstitutesDairy AlternativesShop all Dairy AlternativesOat, Rice & Hemp DrinksSoya DrinksNut DrinksCoconut DrinksNutritionally Complete FoodHolland & BarrettNaturyaGrenadeNakdPukkaHeath & HeatherManuka DoctorEgmont HoneyHuelPerfectTedBuy one get one 1/2 priceSave up to 1/2 Price3 for 2 Mix & MatchBuy 1 Get 1 Free2 for €6Back in demandOutlet3 for €18Gluten FreeDairy FreeWheat FreeSugar FreeEgg FreeMilk FreeNut FreeSesame Seed FreeSoya FreeCelery FreeApple Cider VinegarLion's Mane MushroomReishi MushroomChaga MushroomNew inSports NutritionProteinShop all ProteinClear ProteinProtein VeganMeal ReplacementsWhey ProteinMass GainersDiet ProteinCaseinSports SupplementsShop all Sports SupplementsSports CollagenBars, Drinks & SnacksShop all Bars, Drinks & SnacksEnergy BarsProtein BarsProtein ShakesProtein SnacksNutritionally Complete FoodMeal Replacement ShakesPre Workout & EnergyShop all Pre Workout & EnergyPre WorkoutAmino Energy PowdersIntra WorkoutKetoPost WorkoutAmino AcidsShop all Amino AcidsBCAAArginineCreatineShop all CreatineCreatine PowderRehydrationShop all RehydrationElectrolytesEnergy GelsVegan Sports NutritionShop all Vegan Sports NutritionVegan ProteinVegan Protein BarsVegan Pre Workout & EnergyVegan Amino AcidsVegan CreatineSports AccessoriesShop all Sports AccessoriesBottles & ShakersFitness GoalShop all Fitness GoalRecoveryMuscle & StrengthLean MuscleEnergy & EnduranceDiet & Weight LossKetoHolland & BarrettOptimum NutritionPrecision EngineeredApplied NutritionMyproteinGrenadeUSNNakdTriActivePhDSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy one get one 1/2 price3 for 2 Mix & MatchBack in demandBuy 1 Get 1 FreeOutletIntro OfferGluten FreeDairy FreeSugar FreeWheat FreeEgg FreeMilk FreePalm Oil FreeSoya FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeVitamin ENew inBeautyAromatherapy & HomeShop all Aromatherapy & HomePure Essential OilsBlended Essential OilsBase & Carrier OilsHolisticSkincareShop all SkincarePremium SkincareFace CareBody CareSun CareTanning & BronzingEye CareLip CareFoot CareHand & Nail CareCBD BeautyWashing & BathingShop all Washing & BathingShampoo & ConditionerBathing AccessoriesShower Gel & Body WashDeodorantDentalHand WashSoapBath Soak & OilBody ScrubBath Bombs & SaltsFeminine CareIncontinence SupportHair CareShop all Hair CareShampoo & ConditionerHair ColouringHair MasksHair Oil & SerumHair Spray, Gel & MousseHair AccessoriesMother & BabyShop all Mother & BabyBaby Skincare & ToiletriesMakeupDr OrganicFaith in NatureNaturtintWeledaTisserandQ+AMiaromaTrilogyWildChilds FarmSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy one get one 1/2 price2 for €23Back in demand3 for 2 Mix & MatchBuy 1 Get 1 FreeOutletAlcohol FreeFluoride freeParfum FreePalm Oil FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeDairy FreeEgg FreeFish FreeVitamin CTea TreeRosemaryHyaluronic AcidVitamin EAloe VeraRosehipLavenderSeaweedSalicylic AcidNew inWeight ManagementSlimming TabletsFat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsShop all Fat Burners, Binders & Appetite SuppressantsFat BurnersFat BindersAppetite SuppressantsShakes & Weight Management ShotsShop all Shakes & Weight Management ShotsMeal Replacement ShakesDiet Food & DrinkShop all Diet Food & DrinkDiet FoodLow Calorie SnacksSlimming TeaExercise SupportHolland & BarrettGrenadeOptimum NutritionHeath & HeatherPulsinUSNDiabloEat WaterKalloNudie SnacksSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy one get one 1/2 price3 for 2 Mix & MatchBuy 1 Get 1 FreeBack in demandOutletGluten FreeSugar FreeDairy FreeWheat FreeMilk FreeCelery FreeCereal FreeCrustaceans FreeEgg FreeFish FreeApple Cider VinegarNew inNew InTrendingBuy one get one 1/2 price3 for 2 Mix & MatchSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeBack in demandOutlet2 for €232 for €6Shop all Health & WellnessWomen's HealthMen's HealthImmunityJoints, Bones, & MusclesEnergyGut HealthSleep & RelaxationHolland & BarrettDr OrganicFaith in NatureVitabioticsNaturtintWeledaOptimum NutritionPrecision EngineeredApplied NutritionQ+ABuy one get one 1/2 price3 for 2 Mix & MatchSave up to 1/2 PriceBuy 1 Get 1 FreeBack in demand2 for €23Outlet2 for €6Gluten FreeDairy FreeAlcohol FreeSugar FreeParfum FreeWheat FreeEgg FreeSoya FreeSesame Seed FreeCelery FreeVitamin CApple Cider VinegarTea TreeLion's Mane MushroomHyaluronic AcidVitamin ERosehipAloe VeraLavenderRosemaryNew inArticlesAll articlesHealthFood & nutritionGut healthImmunityJoints, bones & musclesWomen's healthWellnessHair & skinMental wellbeingSeasonalSleep & relaxationSports nutritionRecipesAll recipesGluten freeLow sugarVeganDairy freePodcast
Skip to content

How to prevent and treat hay fever and common colds

Woman outside blowing nose with a tissue
We highlight the similarities and differences so you can make the correct diagnosis and get appropriate treatment.
If your nose seems to be constantly running and you keep sneezing, you may be wondering whether you’re experiencing hay fever. Hay fever affects up to 1 in 5 people during their lives1, so it could be that you have more than the common cold. In this blog post, we highlight the similarities and differences so you can make the correct diagnosis.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. There are around 30 different types of pollen that can cause hay fever, but the two types that affect the most people in the UK are Timothy-grass and Ryegrass pollen. Around 90% of people in the UK with hay fever are allergic to them. It isn’t only grass pollen that can cause hay fever symptoms to flare up. Tree and weed pollen can too, and 25% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to tree pollen, while a weed pollen allergy is much less common.

Different pollen types are prevalent at different times of year

Hay fever can affect you at different times of the year, depending on what you’re allergic to:
  • Mid-May to July (grass pollen)
  • Late March to mid-may (tree pollen)
  • Late June to September (weed pollen)
However, if you’re allergic to more than one type, your symptoms can persist for several months at a time.

What is a common cold?

Colds are mild viral infections that typically lasts a week or two A cold is a mild viral infection and typically lasts a week or two. However, because you can catch different viruses which all cause colds, it can feel that your cold is lasting much longer. Colds are more prevalent in the winter months, but you can catch them at any time of the year. Colds are spread by people touching contaminated surfaces, or by touching the skin of someone with a cold or inhaling droplets from sneezes or coughs.   Hay fever vs. colds You can start suffering from hay fever as soon as you come into contact with the type of pollen you’re allergic to. However, with a cold, it usually takes a few days to develop before symptoms become apparent.   Hay fever symptoms: sneezing, blocked/runny nose, itchy eyes, ears, mouth or throat Both hay fever and colds can cause you to sneeze and have a blocked or a runny nose. If you have itchy eyes, ears, mouth or throat, this is a sign that you’re suffering from hay fever. If you have a cold, you may have an itchy nose just before you’re about to sneeze but this is the exception. Colds symptoms: a sore throat, frequent coughing, achy or a fever If you’re suffering from a sore throat, it’s a sign that you have a cold rather than hay fever. You will also cough frequently, feel achy and in some cases, have a fever. Hay fever doesn’t make you feel achy, and you won’t have a fever, but both hay fever and colds can leave you feeling more tired than usual. Alleviate the symptoms of hay fever and common colds With both hay fever and colds, prevention is better than cure. However, if you are suffering, there are some things you can try. With hay fever, you may need to try a few different products before you find the ones that work for you. Medication, nasal sprays and eye drops can help relieve symptoms. If you regularly suffer from colds, you could try to boost your immune system by taking a daily vitamin supplement or if you have a cold at the moment, by seeing if a herbal medicinal product such as Echinacea Cold & Flu Capsules could help. Shop Cold & Immune Support

Related Articles

Sign up for exclusive offers

Plus, get expert advice to support your health & wellness straight to your inbox when you sign up to Holland & Barrett emails.