Hayfever or a Summer Cold? How to Tell the Difference in Ealing

Similar Symptoms – But Not Always the Same Cause

If you’ve been sneezing, feeling blocked up, or waking up with headaches recently, you’re not alone. At this time of year, many people assume they’ve picked up a summer cold, but we often see these symptoms caused by hayfever and seasonal allergies instead.

The difficulty is that the symptoms can feel very similar at first.

One clue many people notice is that the symptoms seem to return at the same time every year, especially during warmer weather. Symptoms commonly include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes or throat
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Symptoms that worsen outdoors

Colds usually feel different. People are more likely to describe feeling run down, feverish, or achy rather than simply irritated by sneezing and itchy eyes.

One useful clue is timing. If symptoms return during warm or windy weather, especially after being outdoors, hayfever is often the cause.

Another thing we regularly see is people putting up with symptoms for weeks without realising support is available locally. Poorly managed allergies can affect sleep, concentration, commuting, work, and overall day-to-day comfort.

For some people, symptoms become worse during outdoor exercise, while gardening, or while spending time in parks and green spaces around West London.

If you’re based in Ealing, Northfields, South Ealing, Hanwell, West Ealing, Acton or nearby areas along Northfield Avenue (W5), Bramley Pharmacy is a short walk from Northfields Underground Station and offers face-to-face pharmacist support for both NHS and private healthcare services. 

Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, we at Bramley Pharmacy can now support a wider range of common conditions without needing a GP appointment, subject to eligibility. Many people are surprised by how much advice and treatment support may now be available directly through their local pharmacy. 

If symptoms are ongoing, worsening, or affecting your daily routine, it’s worth getting advice rather than continuing to guess.

You can walk in and speak to the pharmacist for guidance on managing hayfever symptoms in Ealing.

Subject to clinical assessment and NHS eligibility where appropriate.

### FAQ:

### How do I know if it’s hayfever or a cold?
Hayfever is usually linked to pollen and often causes itchy eyes and repeated sneezing, while colds are caused by viruses and may include fever or body aches.

### Can a pharmacist help with hayfever symptoms?
Pharmacists can provide advice and support for managing common seasonal symptoms.

### Do hayfever symptoms get worse in warm weather?
Yes. Pollen levels are often higher during warm, dry, and windy weather, which can make symptoms worse for some people.