Hay fever is the condition by which the affected individual has an allergy to a certain type of pollen (or multiple pollens) which causes the affected to endure different symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and a blocked nose. As a pollen allergy is the cause of hay fever, this condition tends to be seasonal, affecting the highest number of people in the summer. Hay fever is a very common condition, affecting around 1 in 5 people in the UK. Symptoms of Hay Fever occur once a chemical called histamine is produced in the body. This is produced by the body when an individual comes into contact with pollen, histamine is an antibody released to fight off the pollen. Some medications, such as Avamys and Beconase, are used to treat the symptoms of hay fever by directly targeting the affected area, in this case, the sufferer's nasals to counteract the swelling and allow for better breathing whilst in contact with pollen. There are other types of medication which are also used to help prevent the allergic reaction from occurring to begin with; These are called antihistamines, they stop histamine release, which aids the symptoms of hay fever.

Hay fever is a pollen triggered condition which has an allergic reaction with the body. A large percentage of people are not allergic to pollen at all, but do have an intolerance to some types of pollen. In the UK, around 9 out of 10 hay fever sufferers are specifically allergic to grass pollen, which is the most common type of pollen. There are other types of pollen individuals can be allergic to such as tree pollen and weed pollen, both of these variants are at their highest concentration level in Summer/Spring.

Although there is no specific reason as to why individuals are allergic to pollen and others are not, there are certain factors which are common in all Hay Fever sufferers that could potentially lead to the explanation. This includes being exposed to cigarettes (tobacco) at a younger age, or having other existing conditions such as asthma.

Hay fever can be treated by using both medicated and non-medicated solutions. For medicated solutions, this can include nasal sprays and eye drop tablets which tackle the main symptoms of hay fever in the nose and eyes. For non-medicated solutions, you can take precautions to help limit the amount of pollen exposure an individual incurs. This can be done by shutting windows and doors, avoiding grassy areas and using different pollen catching filters in your car and house to prevent pollen travelling through the air vents.

Avoid grass where you can (don't walk on it or cut it), don't keep fresh flowers in the house, don't spend too much time outside, don't dry clothes outside (they can catch pollen), try not to let pets into the house as they can carry pollen inside. Try to keep windows and doors closed, vacuum regularly, stay indoors as much as possible and shower and wash clothes after you've been outside to wash any pollen off.

Beconase contains the active ingredient beclometasone dipropionate. This nasal spray is used for the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis symptoms including hayfever.

The advantage of beconase is it works right where the problem starts, it is highly effective, has an anti-inflammatory action and is a non-drowsy formula. This nasal spray provides quick relief from symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness, blocked or runny nose.

Avamys contains the active ingredient fluticasone furoate. This is a steroid which helps reduce inflammation caused by allergies such as hayfever. This nasal spray is effective in treating the symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as itchiness, sneezing, blocked or runny nose. You may feel the benefits of Avamys within 8 to 25 hours. The effectiveness of Avamys has been well studied, most patients saw a 40-60% improvement in their symptoms. When compared to participants who were given a placebo dose, they experienced 25-40% improvement in their symptoms.