Could your cold really be ‘winter hay fever’? Pharmacists claim cases are soaring

Got a sniffle that just won’t budge? Experts say it might not be a cold.

Although it’s still the season of runny noses and sore throats, these potential common cold symptoms could actually be a sign of hay fever—in winter.

The allergy affects millions of people living in the UK every year and is usually experienced in the spring and summer when pollen levels rise.

Winter hay fever, on the other hand, is triggered by hidden allergens inside the home, say specialists.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, it’s caused by exposure to dust mites, pet dander and mould. 

Winter hay fever mostly causes cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. 

‘When we are trapped indoors and it’s cold and central heating on, the dust mite levels also can go up,’ warned Dr Adrian Morris from the Surrey Allergy Clinic. 

‘There’s no grass pollen around or tree pollen, and so the principal allergen is the mould and the pets and the dust mites,’ he added.

This month the leading High Street retailer Superdrug has reported a 20 per cent uptick in sales of allergy tablets. 

The spike is linked to a rise in cases of winter hay fever, claims Jamie Archer, Superdrug’s Own Brand Director: ‘Winter hay fever is often overlooked, but for many, it can be just as disruptive as spring and summer allergies. 

‘We’re seeing a notable increase in demand for products like our cetirizine tablets, as more people feel the impact of indoor allergens on their health. 

Superdrug pharmacist Niamh McMillan adds that there are key ways to differentiate between an allergy and a cold that sufferers should know.

She explained that allergy sufferers can experience symptoms for months, while colds typically run their course between seven and ten days. 

Another way to tell the difference between an allergy and a virus is by looking at the colour of your mucus. 

‘Both allergies and a cold usually come with a stuffy or runny nose, but you can tell the difference by looking at the mucus,’ Ms McMillan said. 

‘Allergy sufferers will typically have mucus that is clear and watery. It’s more likely to be a cold if the mucus is thick and yellow,’ she added.

Plus, while a sore throat is often a precursor to a cold, it’s an unlikely symptom of an allergy. 

Itchy and watery eyes are also common symptoms of an allergy, along with throat irritation. 

Pharmacies have noticed an uplift in allergy drug sales, suggesting there is a spike in cases of the pesky seasonal allergy. 

‘Winter hay fever is often overlooked, but for many, it can be just as disruptive as spring and summer allergies,’ Jamie Archer, Superdrug’s Own Brand Director said.

‘We’re seeing a notable increase in demand for products like our Cetirizine Tablets, as more people feel the impact of indoor allergens on their health,’ he added. 

Taking extra care to keep your home clean can help manage winter allergies.

For example, vacuuming regularly will reduce dust and so will washing soft furnishings and bedding regularly. 

Hypoallergenic covers on mattresses and pillows will also help to reduce exposure to dust mites, experts say. 

Dr Morris said: ‘Look for sources of mould, such as black mould growing in the bathroom, in the shower or in a cupboard under the kitchen sink, then eradicate that with bleach and wipe it away. 

‘Maybe also use a dehumidifier or open a window to reduce mould as dust mites thrive in a damp environment,’ he added.

But if reducing exposure to allergens at home is not enough, there are over-the-counter medications available such as antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops and pain relief to reduce headaches and inflammation.