Hay Fever
Hay fever is a seasonal allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. It causes sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and fatigue — and can significantly disrupt daily life during peak pollen season. Portugal and Spain have some of the highest pollen counts in Europe, making hay fever a major concern for expats. Effective treatments are available.
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This page provides general health information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is caused by an immune system overreaction to airborne pollen. When pollen is inhaled or contacts the eyes, the immune system releases histamine and other chemicals that cause the classic symptoms of allergic inflammation in the nose and eyes. It is closely related to asthma and atopic eczema — many people with hay fever have one or both of these conditions.
Expats moving to Portugal or Spain from northern Europe often find their hay fever worsens significantly — the Mediterranean climate produces high concentrations of olive, grass, and Parietaria pollen, and the season is longer and more intense than further north.
Symptoms
- Frequent sneezing, especially outdoors or in the morning
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red, watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- Itching in the throat, mouth, ears, or roof of the mouth
- Headache and facial pressure from nasal congestion
- Fatigue — particularly from disturbed sleep and the effort of breathing through a blocked nose
- Worsening of asthma symptoms during pollen season
Key pollen triggers in Portugal & Spain
- Olive pollen — one of the most potent allergens in southern Europe; peaks May–June
- Grass pollen — very widespread; peaks April–July
- Parietaria (pellitory) — highly allergenic weed pollen common in coastal areas; long season
- Cypress and pine — late winter to spring
- Plane trees — February–April in urban areas
If you have moved from northern Europe and find your hay fever is significantly worse here, olive pollen is likely a new trigger. Testing can confirm specific sensitivities and guide targeted immunotherapy.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if hay fever is affecting your sleep, work, or daily activities — or if over-the-counter antihistamines are not providing sufficient relief. Prescription nasal corticosteroids are significantly more effective and are the recommended first-line treatment for moderate to severe hay fever.
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Treatment options
- Intranasal corticosteroid sprays — the most effective first-line treatment for hay fever; reduce inflammation in the nasal passages
- Antihistamines — reduce sneezing, itching, and runny nose; non-drowsy options available
- Antihistamine eye drops — for allergic conjunctivitis
- Decongestants — short-term relief for severe nasal blockage
- Allergen immunotherapy — a course of desensitisation injections or sublingual drops that reduces sensitivity to specific pollens over time; the only treatment that modifies the underlying allergy
How eMedClinic can help
Our doctors prescribe effective hay fever treatments including nasal corticosteroids and antihistamines, provide guidance on managing the specific pollen triggers in Portugal and Spain, and can arrange referrals for allergy testing and immunotherapy for those with severe or poorly controlled hay fever.
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