Hayfever throughout history
Hayfever, or allergic rhinitis is a type of allergy that impacts approximately 24% of people in Australia1. The name hayfever itself comes from a 19th century belief that the smell of new hay caused the seasonal allergy. The English physician John Bostock first described it as summer catarrh (catarrhus aestivus), but the name “hayfever” stuck due to its association with haying season, even though the hay itself isn’t the culprit2.
Throughout history, treatments aimed at relieving the symptoms of hayfever have ranged from extreme and potentially dangerous through to bizarre or contradictory. In the 19th century, opium, morphine and even mercury were recommended to treat the condition. The method of using leeches for ‘topical bleeding’ or inhaling ammonium chloride were also used in an attempt to rid sufferers of the symptoms. By the 20th century, radical treatments such as nasal removal, bubble helmets, alcohol, and even ‘parentectomies’ (the process of separating children from their parents due to a perceived psychological allergic reaction), were tried in the name of allergy relief3.
When it came to pharmaceutical treatments, first-generation antihistamines developed in the 1940s were effective but notoriously caused severe drowsiness4. Early steroids emerging in the 1950s were introduced to reduce inflammation but came with their own set of challenges.
So, What Is Hayfever?
Hayfever is an allergic response by the body and is caused by inhaling, swallowing or touching harmless environmental allergens in the environment. These can include seasonal allergens such as pollen , dust mites, moulds, and animal dander. Allergic rhinitis is not caused by a food allergy, nor hay as we’ve covered, it is a type of hypersensitivity reaction that causes inflammation of the nasal passages, eyes, and/or throat5,6.
These days, common hayfever medications on the market include a range of antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants and eye drops, many of which are available over-the-counter.
Common Hayfever Symptoms
When the immune system reacts to airborne allergens, it releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators. This response leads to the classic symptoms many people experience during allergy season, such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny or itchy nose, watery or itchy eyes, and eye redness. Some people also experience sinus pressure, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping due to the ongoing congestion6.
Symptoms can vary in severity. For some, hayfever is an occasional nuisance linked to high pollen days. For others, symptoms span weeks or months, particularly in Australian environments where pollen, dust, mould, and pollution can overlap throughout the year.
How Hayfever Is Commonly managed
Hayfever management typically focuses on reducing exposure to triggers and controlling symptoms once they appear. Practical steps include monitoring pollen forecasts, keeping windows closed on high pollen days, showering after outdoor exposure, and reducing indoor allergens such as dust and mould.
Medication is often added when these measures are not enough. Oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops are widely used to manage symptoms. While people can find relief with these options, they are not without drawbacks. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness or sluggishness, while certain nasal decongestant sprays are intended for short-term use only due to the risk of rebound congestion. When natural treatments such as saline sprays or herbal medicines are explored, they may not provide the required relief and instead are often suited for use as adjunct or ‘complementary’ treatments.
For people with recurring or prolonged symptoms, finding an option that balances effectiveness with suitability for regular use becomes a key concern.
Treating Hayfever at the Source
Because hayfever begins in the nasal passages when allergens are inhaled, treatments delivered directly to the nose can play an important role in symptom management. Nasal sprays work locally, targeting the site where inflammation and irritation occur, rather than acting throughout the entire body.
Saline sprays can help rinse allergens from the nasal passages, but they do not actively address the inflammatory response. Medicated sprays may reduce swelling quickly, but their use is often limited to short durations.
Managing Hayfever Long Term
Hayfever is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and management often requires a combination of strategies. Environmental control, trigger awareness, and the right treatment approach all contribute to better symptom control.
For those who find basic measures insufficient, and who are cautious about frequent use of traditional decongestants or sedating medications, clinically researched nasal sprays with targeted delivery of a natural active ingredient offer an alternative worth considering.
Effective hayfever management is about finding solutions that work with your lifestyle and support comfort over time, without compromising daily function.
References:
1. AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2026). Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
2. J R Soc Med 2011: 104: 237 –240. DOI 10.1258
3. AAOA (American Academy Of Otolaryngic Allergy). A Brief History of Allergy Treatment. Accessed: https://www.aaoallergy.org/a-brief-history-of-allergy-treatment.
4. TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration). First-generation antihistamines - winter warning. Accessed: www.tga.gov.au/safety/safety-monitoring-and-information/safety-alerts/first-generation-antihistamines-winter-warning
5. Allergies and the Immune System. John Hopkins Medicine. Accessed: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immune-system
6. ASCIA (The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy). Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever). Accessed: https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/allergic-rhinitis-or-hay-fever
