Dr Xand told BBC hosts Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton about something that could really help hay fever sufferers
Doctor Xand van Tulleken has shared a crucial tip on BBC TV show Morning Live that could ‘transform’ 2025 for those suffering from hay fever. He said people needed to act one to two weeks in advance, and explained: “I promise you you will thank me.”
He said: “Hay fever is a reaction to pollen in the air. It’s an allergic response, whereas a cold is caused by an infection, though they share many symptoms.” Highlighting the similarities, he noted that both conditions can cause a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fatigue and facial pressure.
So how can you tell them apart? Here is what you need to know – and what you need to do to follow his advice.
What are the key symptoms of an allergy?
- Rash
- Itchy eyes
- Red eyes
- Sneezing fits
- Clear mucus
- Last for several weeks
What are the key symptoms of a cold?
- Sore throat
- Body ache
- Fever
- Thick mucus
- It lasts around 10 days
Noting their key differences, including the fact that an allergy lasts several weeks, he said: “Tree pollen is coming up at the end of March”. He said grass pollen, which is “the most common one”, is also coming up soon.
The doctor emphasised the importance of preparing in advance and cautioned that allergies aren’t limited to just one type of pollen: you can be allergic to all of them. He explained: “Grass pollen season lasts from mid-May to July, while weed pollen season runs from June to September.”
And when it comes to treatment, you don’t need to choose a brand-name product. Just look for tablets that contain “cetirizine hydrochloride.” He displays an image comparing a supermarket tablet priced at £3 with a branded version costing £11, emphasising that both contain the same key ingredient that may help, so there’s no need to pay extra for a brand.
“But if you are allergic to all of them, you’ve got months of this so you need to get on top of it early,” he said. “It’s not curable, but you can manage it.”
Taking about “the most important thing you can do”, the expert further stressed: “The pollen forecast is starting next week so you’ve got time to start get on top of it.
“Your immune system is sitting there in your nose with cells full of chemicals ready to release when they get triggered. It is ready to release all kind of antibodies and inflammatory signals and so if you can start with the steroid nasal sprays, if you can start with the antihistamines, and if you can start with eye drops”, that is key.
“If you can get those one to two weeks early” from when your symptoms may start, the doctor warned, “I’m not just saying it will make a little bit of a difference: it stops you getting their reaction and you will transform hay fever season. I promise you you will thank me.”