- Local pharmacists offer advice and treatment options nationwide
- Pharmacists now have more options than ever to support patients, particularly with the introduction of the Common Condition Service
IPU, Friday 24 April 2026: With temperatures on the rise and the pollen count predicted to be high hay fever season is beginning across Ireland. The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) is encouraging people who are prone to seasonal allergies to take early steps to manage their symptoms and seek advice from their local pharmacist.
Hay fever, a form of allergic rhinitis, affects as much as one in four Irish people, causing discomfort and symptoms such as itchy eyes and throats, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, coughing and headaches. It is an allergic reaction to pollen, with tree pollen typically triggering symptoms in spring, followed by grass and weed pollen through the summer months.
The IPU is advising that, this year, people may experience symptoms of hay fever earlier and for longer, as the pollen season is set to last longer. Recent research, including in the 2026 edition of the Lancet Countdown, shows that climate change is extending the pollen season, exposing hay fever sufferers to higher pollen levels for longer than in the past.
While there is no cure for hay fever, pharmacists say that early treatment and practical prevention measures can make a significant difference in controlling symptoms and maintaining quality of life.
Rebecca Barry, Chair of the IPU’s Community Pharmacy Committee said, “Many people wait until symptoms become severe before seeking help, but starting treatment early can greatly reduce the impact of hay fever. With pollen seasons becoming longer, it’s more important than ever for people to plan ahead, manage their symptoms effectively, and speak to their pharmacist for advice tailored to them.”
Pharmacists recommend a number of simple tips to help reduce exposure to pollen and the impacts of hay fever for those who suffer:
- Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, especially at night.
- Apply Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen and prevent inhalation.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from entering the eyes.
- Avoid mowing grass and working in the garden.
- Wash your hands, face and hair upon returning indoors and change clothes to remove pollen.
- Monitor the pollen forecast and stay indoors during high pollen periods, typically in the morning and evening.
- Use a pollen filter in your car and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.
A range of effective treatments is available directly from pharmacies, including antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. Community pharmacists can advise on the most appropriate options based on individual symptoms and other health conditions. If your symptoms are getting worse or do not improve after taking these treatments pharmacists now have more options than ever to support patients with the introduction of the Common Condition Service. This allows pharmacists to assess and manage allergic rhinitis and where appropriate and safe to do so, to prescribe prescription only treatments.
The IPU also advises people with asthma to take extra care during the hay fever season. Around 80% of people with asthma also suffer from hay fever, and poorly controlled symptoms can trigger asthma attacks. Asthma patients should ensure they have an up-to-date prescription for their inhalers, use them as prescribed, and carry them at all times.
“Community pharmacists are ideally placed to support people during the hay fever season,” Ms Barry added. “As medicine experts they can offer accessible, trusted advice and help people choose the right treatments early, before symptoms interfere with daily life.”
The IPU encourages anyone experiencing hay fever symptoms to visit their local community pharmacy, where pharmacists can provide trusted advice, recommend appropriate treatments, and help people manage symptoms effectively throughout the season.
ENDS
About Irish Pharmacies
There are over 1,900 community pharmacies across Ireland, forming a nationwide network that is a central part of the healthcare system. With more than 100 million patient visits each year, pharmacies are the most frequently accessed part of the health service and a key first point of contact for care and advice.
Pharmacists are medicines experts who play a vital role in patient care by ensuring medicines are used safely and correctly and by supporting patients to understand and manage their treatments. In addition to dispensing medicines, pharmacies provide a growing range of services, including vaccinations, health monitoring, smoking cessation, emergency contraception and minor illness advice
