Face pain? Pharmacist reveals surprising hay fever symptoms

Hay fever can cause symptoms such as headaches and excessive sweating.

It is commonly known that hay fever can cause runny noses and itchy eyes, but it can also cause a number of unexpected symptoms.

Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere and hay fever sufferers are gearing up to battle the pollen.

With symptoms set to increase, Rumeet Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, has explained some of the lesser known symptoms of hay fever.

Excessive sweating

In some cases, hay fever can cause excessive sweating.

"Sweating more than usual can be an embarrassing symptom of hay fever," Rumeet says. "Excessive sweating can be caused by stress, pain or when your immune system is vulnerable - all factors which can occur in hay fever."

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Loss of smell and taste

Hay fever can cause loss of smell and taste, although this is a less common symptom.

"Also known as anosmia, inflammation in the nasal passages can impact our sense of smell. This is the body's way of limiting the amount of pollen that reaches the nose," he explains. "As taste and smell are linked, if you experience anosmia, you are also likely to notice some loss of taste too."

Headaches and migraines

Hay fever can cause inflammation, which can lead to headaches or migraines.

"There is also a link between headaches and hay fever," the pharmacist continues. "Sinus inflammation can cause a build-up of pressure which results in a sinus headache. This tends to feel as if there is intense pressure inside the head or behind the eyes."

He adds, "The histamines released during a hay fever account can also give rise to migraines."

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Face pain

Some hay fever sufferers experience sore cheeks and foreheads due to inflammation.

"Many people don't realize that hay fever can cause pain around the cheeks, eyes and forehead," Rumeet comments. "When you have hay fever, the small air-filled cavities behind the cheekbones and forehead can become inflamed or blocked. This pressure can cause facial pain."

How to treat hay fever

There are a number of ways to treat hay fever, including lifestyle changes and taking medication.

"Generally, hay fever can be managed via allergy treatments and lifestyle changes such as limiting time spent outside," the expert states. "However, some people experience such bad hay fever symptoms that it can affect daily activities such as sleep and work. In this case, or if your symptoms get worse or have not improved after 2-4 weeks of taking treatments recommended by a pharmacist, you should see your GP."

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Source: Cover Media via Reuters Connect