Covid symptoms or hay fever? How to spot the difference as pollen season starts
POLLEN season is upon us and for many allergy sufferers that means itchy eyes and a sniffly nose.
But there are some symptoms of hay fever that can also overlap with Covid-19 - here's how you can spot the difference between the two.
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The main symptoms of Covid-19 are a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of taste and smell (anosmia).
If you have any of these symptoms then you should get a test and isolate in order to stop the virus spreading.
Tree pollen season starts in late March and affects around 25 per cent of people.
Pollen from trees and shrubs can trigger hay fever, which is a type of allergy, sometimes called seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Hay fever occurs when your body makes the mistake of treating the tree pollen, or pollen from shrubs, as a harmful organism, and the immune system goes into action by making antibodies to try to prevent it spreading.
One in five Brits suffer from hay fever - so that's a whole load of people who can expect to develop hay fever symptoms this week.
However, experts warn that, amidst the current pandemic, some people may mistake these signs for those of coronavirus.
A cough is common in both people who have Covid and people who have hayfever.
If you have Covid the cough is a new persistent cough - if you have hayfever it's likely that your cough is tickly, dry, and mainly occurs when you are outside and exposed to allergens.
GP Dr Gordon Sinclair said it's important people understand the difference between symptoms.
He said: "We don’t want people to get unduly anxious about their hay fever. However, we also want to make sure that they don’t go out and about, assuming they have their usual allergies, when they may actually have coronavirus and should stay at home.
"While the symptoms of coronavirus and hay fever can overlap, people with hay fever don’t experience a high temperature and most won’t feel unwell.
“Hay fever and allergy symptoms tend to be milder, for example, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing.
Top tips to alleviate hay fever symptoms
Mark Shelton, Optometrist and Clinical Development Coach at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists gives his top tips on how to keep hay fever symptoms at bay
Staying indoors between 10:30am and 3:30pm, and on windy and humid days, when pollen counts are at their highest
· If you use contact lenses, daily disposable lenses can provide a protective barrier to pollen but reusable lenses are likely to make your symptoms worse over time
· Avoiding alcohol, which is known to increase allergy symptoms
· Using an air conditioning unit to filter the air in the buildings you’re using
· Bathing your eyes regularly in cold water or using cooling eye masks
· Removing hair, including a fringe, from your face – pollen gets trapped in hair and can reach the eye
· Drying your clothes inside – materials also capture pollen, which then come into contact with your skin and can make their way to your eyes
· Using face wipes that are designed to attract and remove pollen that may be on your face
"Symptoms may vary over the course of the day or depending on the weather, as the pollen count changes.
"They can also usually be controlled through antihistamines or nasal sprays."
He said that if you do have any new cough, fever, lose your sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate as these could be signs of coronavirus.
Dr Sinclair said: "Most people can manage their symptoms at home with paracetamol and plenty of fluids.
"However, if you feel worse, you should use the NHS 111 checker – or call NHS 111."
There are numerous ways to treat hayfever and sufferers can get over the counter medication such as antihistamines and nasal sprays.
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While there is no cure for hayfever there are ways that you can quell the symptoms.
Mark Shelton, Optometrist and Clinical Development Coach at said hayfever is most common in children and teenagers, and with spikes in pollen taking place during exam season, this important time of the year for young people can also be affected.
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He added: “Hay fever is a particular nuisance to contact lens and glasses wearers as the surfaces build up a layer of pollen over time, which then goes on to affect our eyes.
"As such, it’s wise to take a preventative approach to hay fever, doing what you can to identify what causes your reactions and then keeping exposure to the allergen to a minimum.”