I have hay fever. How can I tell what I’m allergic to?

When we think of spring we think of warming weather, birdsong and flowers. But for many people, this also means the return of their seasonal hay fever symptoms . About a quarter (24%) of Australians get hay fever, with sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes the most common symptoms.

In severe cases, this may impact sleep and concentration, or be linked to increased frequency of sinus infections. The exact timing of the symptoms depends on your exposure to an allergen — the thing you’re allergic to. Those impacted by tree pollen (from plane trees or cypress pine, for example) may experience symptoms at different times of the year than those impacted by grass pollen (such as ryegrass).

This will also vary around the country. In Perth, for example, tree pollen (cypress pine) is generally present in August to October, while grass pollen counts tend to be highest in October to November. Other cities and regions may have longer pollen seasons, which may extend further into summer.

Remind me, how does hay fever impact the body?.