Itchy eyes, a runny, sneezy nose, a tickly throat. You probably already recognise all of these as the tell-tale signs of hay fever. But have you ever heard of a ‘hay fever rash’?

Yep, that’s right, as well as irritating your eyes, nose and throat, pollen and other allergens (something that triggers an allergic reaction), hay fever can affect your skin too.

Keep reading to learn more about what ‘hay fever rash’ (also known as a skin rash or hives in hay fever) is and how it can be treated using our straightforward advice and tips.

Girl with pollen allergy and hay fever sneezes into the handkerchief between flowers

What is hay fever?

Before we look at ‘hay fever rashes’ specifically, let’s start by getting a better understanding of hay fever more generally.

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a very common type of allergic reaction.¹

While it can affect you at any time of the year, those of us in the UK are more likely to suffer from hay fever between late March and September. This is when the weather is more warm, humid and windy and the pollen count is at its highest – one of the main triggers.¹

Symptoms of hay fever are usually mild, but they may be severe if you’re very sensitive to certain allergens. Some of the most common symptoms of hay fever are:^1,2

blocked and/or runny nose
itchy nose and sneezing
loss of smell
itchy, red, watery, swollen eyes
itchy throat and roof of mouth
sore throat
coughing
itchy inner ears
earache
headaches
sinus pressure – this can cause pain in your face under your eyes
more mucus in your nose and throat than usual
tiredness
wheezing and trouble breathing, in severe cases

Although fever is in the name, hay fever doesn’t usually cause a temperature or fever. It’s also not contagious, unlike the common cold. If you’re having trouble breathing or any severe symptoms please contact the emergency services immediately.³

What causes hay fever?

Allergens are harmless to most people but, if you have hay fever, this is effectively your immune system seeing them as a threat to your body. When your immune system becomes triggered in this way, it produces a chemical called histamine to try and protect your body.²

Histamine is what causes the irritating and unpleasant symptoms listed above. They’re the body’s way of not only stopping more allergens from entering your body but also getting rid of the ones that are already there.

Dust, pollen and small particles fly through the air in the sunshine.

There are lots of allergens that can trigger hay fever, including:^2,4

pollen from trees, grass and weeds
dust mites
pet dander
mould
cockroach droppings

What is ‘hay fever rash’?

Now we know what hay fever is and what causes it, let’s take a closer look at ‘hay fever rash’.

First and foremost, what some people call a ‘hay fever rash’ is actually hives (also known as urticaria).⁵ If you’re sensitive to certain allergens, the histamine released by your body can cause swellings on the surface of your skin which create the appearance and symptoms of a rash (hives).⁵

A ‘hay fever rash’, or hives, causes swollen patches of skin that can be:^5,6

raised and bumpy
very itchy
stingy or burning
red or pink
in one area or spread across your body
a few millimetres to a few centimetres in size

If you have hives for less than six weeks, this is classed as being acute urticaria. If you have them for more than six weeks, it’s called chronic urticaria.⁶

If you’ve had a rash for more than two days, and the treatments below have not improved your symptoms, make an appointment with your GP.⁶

‘Hay fever rash’ treatment

While most cases of hives will go away on their own, there are various things you can do at home to ease your symptoms.⁵

Many of the treatments for ‘hay fever rash’ are the same as treatments for hay fever, so you should feel much better all around by following these tips.

Take antihistamine medicines

Antihistamines are designed to combat the high levels of histamine produced by your body, helping reduce the level of itching and swelling caused by allergen reactions.^5,7

Just make sure you choose a non-drowsy antihistamine so that you can carry on with your normal activities and do things like drive without getting tired.⁸

You can also buy antihistamines in H&B stores and online, or over the counter at local pharmacies and most larger supermarkets.

However, if you find that taking antihistamines doesn’t help reduce your itching or improve your rash, this could be a sign that your rash is caused by something other than an allergen.⁶ If this is the case, we’d recommend talking to your GP.

Apply cold compresses

Applying cold compresses to the affected areas of your skin can help cool and calm the most irritated and itchy areas.

Using ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth will typically do the job, but using a packet of frozen peas can also help if your ice tray is empty.⁹

If a large area of your body is affected, a cool bath or shower can also help you to feel more comfortable.

Have an oatmeal bath

Research has shown that oatmeal baths can not only help your skin stay hydrated but may also offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This can help keep your skin moisturised and protected, which may help reduce itchiness and your skin’s overall recovery.¹⁰

Use over-the-counter creams

Your pharmacist will be able to recommend an antihistamine cream which may help to bring down any itching and swelling. Calamine lotion or menthol cream can also help to calm and relieve any itching you have.^9,11

If you have dry skin, certain moisturising creams can help keep it hydrated and reduce itching as well. Look for products that contain ingredients like lanolin, glyceryl stearate, soy sterols, petroleum jelly, paraffin, mineral oil, and dimethicone, which help lock in moisture for longer.¹²

Wear loose clothes made of natural fibres

If your rash is spread over a large area of your body, it’s a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothing to try and avoid rubbing.^9,11

Wearing clothes made of natural fibres like cotton, silk or bamboo should also help prevent it from becoming more irritated, which can then add to your level of itchiness.^10,13

Avoid allergen triggers

If you know which allergen you’re allergic to, avoiding it can really help reduce your hay fever symptoms.

While this may be easier said than done in most cases, there are several things you can do to reduce your contact with allergens like pollen and pet dander such as:¹³

changing your clothes as soon as you get home from being outside
keeping your doors and windows closed when the pollen count is high
grooming pets outdoors and bathing them regularly
washing your bedding weekly on a hot setting
vacuuming your carpets regularly

Ask about immunotherapy

If you have very severe reactions to specific allergens, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for immunotherapy treatment.^14,15

This type of treatment involves exposing you to small amounts of your triggering allergen in a controlled environment, using injections, oral pills or drops that are spread out over a period of time.¹⁴

Eventually, the treatment ‘desensitises’ your body to the allergen so that it no longer reacts when it comes into contact with it.^14,15

If you get a ‘hay fever rash’ or have severe hay fever often, speak to your GP. They’ll be able to advise you on the best treatment based on your exact symptoms.

The final say

Itchy skin can be incredibly frustrating, distracting and even sore when you scratch at it too much. That’s why we hope our advice and self-care tips give you the inspiration you need to soothe your skin and clear your rash caused by hay fever whenever it comes about.

Remember, if you’re struggling with your symptoms, or if they’ve lasted more than a couple of days, speak to your GP for personalised advice and help with treatment.

Sources

NHS. Hay Fever [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/.
Allergy UK. Hay Fever [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/hayfever/.
Patient. Hay Fever [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://patient.info/allergies-blood-immune/hay-fever-leaflet.
Health Direct. Hay Fever [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever.
NHS Inform. Hives [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/hives/.
Allergy UK. Urticaria (Hives) and Other Skin Allergy [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/types-of-allergies/urticaria-hives-other-skin-allergy/.
NHS. Hives [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hives/.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hives: Diagnosis and Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-treatment.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. 10 Ways To Get Relief From Chronic Hives [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hives-chronic-relief.
Kurtz ES, Wallo W. Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD [Internet]. 2007;1;6(2):167–70. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17373175/.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to relieve itchy skin [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/itchy-skin/itch-relief/relieve-itchy-skin.
Cochran W. Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use; Final Monograph [Internet]. Available from: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2003-06-04/pdf/03-13751.pdf.
NHS. Reducing your exposure to allergens [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.rwt.nhs.uk/PIL/MI_8047214_04.05.21_V_1_public.pdf.
Allergy UK. Immunotherapy [Internet]. [cited 2024 March 19]. Available from: https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/immunotherapy-factsheet/.
Kim, H., et al. Induction of remission in chronic urticaria by immunotherapy using immunoglobulin/histamine complex (HistobulinTM): a case report. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2021;17(1):116. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-021-00612-8.