If you’re dealing with sneezing, itchy eyes or a blocked nose this time of year, you’re not alone. Hay fever—also known as allergic rhinitis—is one of the most common reasons people come into the practice this season. In Melbourne, our mix of climate, vegetation and wind patterns tends to make the hay‑fever season both early and intense, so it’s worth being proactive.

So what exactly is hay fever? Simply put, it’s when your immune system treats something harmless—like pollen in the air—as if it’s a threat. That triggers inflammation in your nasal passages and eyes, which shows up as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, watery or red eyes, sometimes an itchy throat or ears, and for many people a sense of fatigue or disrupted sleep.

Here in Victoria, grass pollen (especially rye‑grass) tends to be the main culprit, with tree pollens and weed pollens contributing too. The hay‑fever “season” in Melbourne generally kicks off around October and runs through late spring and early summer, with peak pollen levels often occurring in November. Because Melbourne’s weather is changeable—wind, warmth, rain, storms—it can increase the spread of pollen and make those days especially difficult.

Here’s how we can work together to make hay fever more manageable:

First, minimising your exposure to allergens helps a lot. On days when the pollen count is high—especially when it’s windy or right before a storm—keeping windows and doors closed, using air‑conditioning on recirculate if you have it, and avoiding mowing the lawn or walking through freshly cut grass will reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in. Showering and changing clothes after being outdoors, and drying clothes inside rather than hanging them outside when pollen is high, are simple but effective steps.