Hay Fever Giving You Sinus Headaches and Earache? Relief Starts at the Pharmacy

Summer should be a time for enjoying the sunshine—not struggling with blocked sinuses, pressure behind the eyes, and stabbing earaches. If you’ve noticed your hay fever symptoms leading to sinus pain or earache, you’re not imagining things. The two are closely linked, and the discomfort can be intense.

At Mistrys Pharmacy, we often see an increase in people looking for help with facial pain, ear pressure, or even headaches during allergy season. Thankfully, pharmacy treatment can offer fast relief—and often without the need to visit your GP.

In this guide, we explain why hay fever can cause sinus pain and earache, and what you can do to feel better—starting with a visit to your local pharmacy.

How Hay Fever Affects Your Sinuses and Ears

Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to airborne allergens like pollen. During the warmer months, pollen levels rise sharply, especially on dry, breezy days. While most people associate hay fever with sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose, it can also affect your sinuses and ears.

Here’s how:

Sinus inflammation: Your sinuses are hollow air-filled spaces in your skull. Allergies cause the lining of the sinuses to swell and produce excess mucus, leading to blockage and pressure.

Blocked Eustachian tubes: These small passages connect your middle ear to the back of your nose. Swollen nasal passages can cause the tubes to become blocked, trapping fluid and creating pressure or pain.

Increased risk of infection: A blocked sinus can become infected, worsening the pain and potentially leading to a sinus infection (sinusitis) or middle ear infection (otitis media).

The result? A pounding headache around your cheeks, eyes, and forehead—sometimes accompanied by an earache or muffled hearing.

Recognising the Symptoms

If you’ve got hay fever and are now noticing:

• Pressure or pain in your face (especially under the eyes or around the temples)

• A dull ache or sharp pain in one or both ears

• A feeling of fullness or blockage in the ears

• Headache that worsens when bending forward

• Postnasal drip or constant throat clearing

…it’s likely that sinus inflammation is behind your sinus pain earache. The good news is that you don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment to get help.

What You Can Do: Relief From the Pharmacy

As your local pharmacy, we’re your first port of call for allergy-related pain. There are several highly effective treatments available without a prescription, and we can guide you on the best combination for your symptoms.

1. Antihistamines

These reduce the body’s allergic response. If taken daily during allergy season, they can prevent swelling and reduce nasal symptoms that lead to sinus pressure and ear problems. Options include:

• Cetirizine

• Loratadine

• Fexofenadine (sometimes offered privately for stronger relief)

2. Steroid Nasal Sprays

One of the most effective treatments for hay fever, these reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, helping to restore airflow and relieve pressure. They’re best used regularly and not just when symptoms appear.

Common choices include:

• Beclometasone (Beconase)

• Fluticasone (Flixonase)

• Mometasone (available over the counter or with pharmacist advice)

3. Decongestants

These shrink the blood vessels in the nasal lining and help open up blocked passages quickly. However, they’re best used short-term (3–5 days max) to avoid rebound congestion.

Examples include:

• Pseudoephedrine tablets

• Xylometazoline nasal sprays

4. Saline Nasal Rinses or Irrigation

These help flush out allergens, reduce mucus buildup, and soothe irritated nasal passages. They’re drug-free and safe for most people.

5. Pharmacy-Only Consultations

At Mistrys Pharmacy, we offer advice and treatment tailored to your symptoms. If you’ve tried over-the-counter treatments and are still struggling, we may recommend stronger options or refer you to your GP if necessary.

Prevention Tips for Allergy Season

As well as treating symptoms, consider how to avoid pollen exposure:

• Check the pollen forecast daily and plan accordingly

• Shower and change clothes after being outdoors

• Keep windows closed during high pollen hours (early morning and evening)

• Use air purifiers indoors

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen particles

Consistency in treatment and prevention can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing sinus pain earache during hay fever season.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening despite treatment, it’s best to seek further advice. You may need antibiotics if a bacterial infection has developed in your sinuses or ears. Warning signs include:

• Facial swelling

• Green or yellow nasal discharge that lasts more than 10 days

• High fever

• Severe earache or hearing loss

At Mistrys Pharmacy, we offer expert sinus treatment advice through our Pharmacy First approach—helping you get fast, effective relief without needing to see your GP—and convenient allergy testing services in the heart of Market Harborough.

Don’t Suffer This Summer

Hay fever isn’t just a runny nose—it can lead to painful and exhausting complications like sinus pain and earache. But you don’t need to suffer through the season.

At Mistrys Pharmacy, we offer fast, expert guidance to help you get back to enjoying your summer. Whether you need antihistamines, nasal sprays, or tailored allergy support, our team is here to help.

Pop in and speak to our pharmacists today—relief from sinus and ear discomfort could be just a visit away.

This blog was written on behalf of Mistrys Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.

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