Hay fever is an allergy to pollen that causes sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes. Pharmacy remedies help many people, but if they are not controlling your symptoms, prescription-strength treatment may help. With Global Health you can request hay fever treatment online in Portugal. You complete a secure questionnaire, a licensed doctor reviews your answers, and if treatment is clinically suitable the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can use at any pharmacy in Portugal. If it is not suitable, the doctor explains why and suggests what to do next.
What is included
- A review of your medical questionnaire by a licensed doctor
- A prescription for hay fever tablets, a nasal spray or eye drops, if clinically suitable
- An electronic prescription in your Global Health account, which you can use at any pharmacy in Portugal
- Written advice on how to use the treatment and reduce your pollen exposure
- Secure messaging with the doctor about your request
The request fee covers the doctor's review. The medication is paid for separately at the pharmacy.
Who this service is not suitable for
Our doctors cannot safely prescribe hay fever treatment online if you:
- are under 18
- are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding
- have a wheeze, a tight chest, a cough at night or any difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of asthma that need a proper review
- have a painful red eye, changes in your vision or sensitivity to light
- have symptoms on one side of the nose only, nosebleeds, facial pain or a reduced sense of smell that does not come and go with the seasons
- have glaucoma, or take long-term steroid tablets
If any of these apply, please book a video consultation with a GP so a doctor can assess you properly.
How it works
- Complete the questionnaire. Answer questions about your hay fever symptoms, what you have tried, your general health and any medication you take. It takes about five minutes.
- Doctor review. A licensed doctor reviews your answers against clinical guidance and may message you if more information is needed.
- Prescription issued. If treatment is suitable, the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can take to any pharmacy in Portugal.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever, also called seasonal allergic rhinitis, happens when your immune system overreacts to pollen. Your body releases histamine and other chemicals, which cause inflammation in the nose, eyes and throat. Common hay fever symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery red eyes, an itchy throat, mouth or ears, headache and tiredness. Symptoms are usually worse on warm, dry, windy days and in the early evening.
Pollen season in Portugal
Different pollens cause symptoms at different times of year, so the timing of your symptoms can show what you react to. In Portugal, roughly:
- tree pollens such as cypress-family trees in late winter, and olive trees mainly in spring and early summer
- grass pollen, the most common trigger, mainly from April to June
- weed pollens such as pellitory for much of the year, strongest in spring
Dates vary from year to year and region to region, so check the local pollen forecast.
Other causes of similar symptoms
If your symptoms continue all year, house dust mites, pet dander or mould may be the cause rather than pollen. A cold also causes sneezing and a runny nose, but it usually clears within a week or two and may come with a sore throat or temperature.
Hay fever treatment options
There is no cure for hay fever, so the aim is to control symptoms. Your doctor will discuss the right medication for hay fever based on your symptoms:
- Antihistamine tablets block histamine and help with sneezing, itching and a runny nose. Non-drowsy types are taken once a day.
- Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nose and are usually recommended first for a blocked nose. They work well when used every day, starting about two weeks before your season begins. Full effect can take several days.
- Anti-allergy eye drops ease itchy, watery and red eyes.
To use a hay fever nasal spray, tilt your head slightly forward, aim the nozzle away from the middle of your nose and sniff gently. Hay fever injections (long-acting steroid injections) are not recommended routinely. One injection stays in the body for weeks, so if side effects such as raised blood sugar, mood changes, thinning of the skin or effects on the bones occur, the medicine cannot be stopped. For severe hay fever, a specialist may offer immunotherapy (desensitisation).
If you want to know how to get rid of hay fever symptoms day to day, cutting down your pollen exposure helps alongside medication: check the pollen forecast, wear wraparound sunglasses, put a barrier balm around your nostrils, shower and change clothes after being outside, keep windows closed, avoid drying clothes outdoors and avoid cutting grass.
Side effects and safety
Antihistamines can cause drowsiness in some people, even non-drowsy types, as well as a dry mouth or headache. Do not drive if you feel drowsy, and avoid alcohol, which can increase drowsiness. Steroid nasal sprays can cause dryness, irritation, an unpleasant taste or minor nosebleeds. Eye drops may sting briefly. Remove contact lenses before using eye drops unless the instructions say otherwise.
If you develop wheeze, breathlessness or a tight chest, or your lips or tongue swell, seek urgent medical help and call 112 if it is severe.
When to see a doctor in person
See your family doctor if your symptoms do not improve with treatment, you have symptoms all year round, or hay fever is affecting your sleep, work or study. You should also be seen if you have asthma that gets worse during pollen season. For non-urgent advice you can call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24. You can also meet our doctors or see all online prescription services.