Acupuncture for Hay Fever

Written By Annabel Tindale

It’s that time of year; Hay fever season. You’ve started sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and you aren’t able to enjoy the outdoors now the sun has finally come out!

Hay fever also known as Allergic Rhinitis is a common allergy with approximately 49% of people suffering from some symptoms (Allergy UK/ Kleenex. 2020). In the UK people often experience symptoms anywhere from March through to September.

Hay Fever symptoms often include (NHS website):

  • Sneezing

  • Coughing

  • Itchy and red eyes

  • Itchy throat

  • Loss of smell

  • Pain around your head and sinuses

Symptoms we don’t always associate with hay fever are:

  • Feeling tired

  • Headaches

How can acupuncture help?

I hear you, Inserting needles may not be the first thing you think of to treat hay fever, but acupuncture may help reduce your symptoms during hay fever season.

According to the latest research (Evidence Based Acupuncture), studies have shown acupuncture to be an effective treatment for Allergic Rhinitis. So how can acupuncture help:

  1. It can help relieve symptoms - clear the nose, ease headaches, sooth itchy sore eyes and throat

  2. Reduce inflammation that in turn helps ease the above symptoms

  3. Help regulate the immune system to reduce the allergic response

How often do you need acupuncture treatment?

I usually treat hay fever patients a few times a year.  If treatment begins during the hay fever season, then a few weekly treatments can help improve symptoms.  As a more preventative measure, I see patients for one treatment in the Autumn and one to two treatments in March and April and then a monthly treatment during the summer months - but this varies depending on the type of pollen and time of year people experience symptoms.  Every treatment plan is tailored specifically for you and your treatment goals.


Additional things you can do to help hay fever symptom relief

  • Vaseline can be used around nostrils to help trap pollen

  • Monitoring the pollen count so you can take extra measures when it’s very high

  • Keep windows and doors closed to reduce the amount of pollen getting indoors

  • Dry washing indoors

  • Avoid mowing lawns and change clothing when you come indoors from being outside

If you’d like to find out more how acupuncture may help your hay fever symptoms so you can start and enjoy the summer, then please get in touch.


Annabel Tindale