You are sneezing, your nose is blocked, your eyes feel heavy. It could be a cold. But it could also be hay fever. The two feel surprisingly similar, and every spring thousands of people in the UK find themselves wondering: is it a cold or hay fever?
Getting the answer right matters, because the treatments are quite different. A cold needs rest and fluids. Hay fever needs a different approach entirely. Here is how to work out which one you are dealing with.
The key differences between a cold and hay fever
The difference between a cold and hay fever comes down to three things: timing, duration, and the type of symptoms. Here is a quick comparison:
| Symptom | Cold | Hay fever |
|---|---|---|
| Sneezing | Yes, usually in the first few days | Yes, often in rapid bursts |
| Blocked nose | Yes, thick mucus | Yes, but mucus is usually clear and watery |
| Runny nose | Yes, may start clear then turn yellow/green | Yes, usually clear and watery throughout |
| Itchy eyes | Rare | Very common, often the main complaint |
| Cough | Common, often with phlegm | Possible (a hay fever cough is usually dry and tickly) |
| Sore throat | Common, especially early on | Rare, but possible from postnasal drip |
| Fever | Possible, especially in the first few days | No (despite the name, hay fever does not cause a fever) |
| Body aches | Common | No |
| Duration | 7 to 10 days | Weeks or months (as long as pollen is in the air) |
| Time of year | Any time, more common in autumn/winter | Spring and summer (March to September) |
How to tell if it is hay fever
The biggest clue is in the timing and the eyes. If your symptoms started in spring or summer, last longer than 10 days, and include itchy or watery eyes, it is very likely hay fever.
Other signs that point to hay fever:
- Your symptoms come and go with the weather. Worse on warm, windy days. Better after rain.
- Your symptoms are worse outdoors. If you feel better when you close the windows and stay inside, pollen is probably the trigger.
- You sneeze in bursts. Hay fever often causes multiple sneezes in a row, sometimes ten or more at a time.
- Your nose runs constantly with thin, clear, watery mucus. A hay fever runny nose rarely produces the thick, coloured mucus you see with a cold.
- It happens every year around the same time. If you get the same “cold” every April, it is probably not a cold.
How to tell if it is a cold
Colds tend to develop gradually over a day or two and follow a predictable pattern: sore throat first, then congestion, then a cough. They usually clear up within 7 to 10 days.
Signs that point to a cold:
- You feel generally unwell. Body aches, tiredness, and sometimes a mild fever. Hay fever does not cause these.
- Your mucus changes colour. It may start clear but turn yellow or green as the cold progresses. With hay fever, mucus stays clear.
- Your eyes are fine. If there is no itching, watering or redness in your eyes, a cold is more likely.
- It is autumn or winter. While hay fever is possible in colder months (from mould spores or indoor allergens), it is far more common in spring and summer.
- Other people around you are ill. Colds are contagious. Hay fever is not.
Can you have both at the same time?
Yes. It is entirely possible to catch a cold during hay fever season, which makes things even more confusing. If your symptoms suddenly get worse, you develop a fever, or your mucus turns thick and green, you may have picked up a cold on top of your hay fever.
In that case, you will need to manage both: treat the cold with rest and fluids, and manage the hay fever symptoms separately.
What about hay fever and a blocked nose?
A blocked nose from hay fever can be just as frustrating as a cold. The congestion is caused by your nasal passages reacting to pollen. Unlike a cold, it will not clear up in a week. It can last for the entire pollen season, which in the UK runs from late March through September.
If your blocked nose is your main symptom, whether from a cold or hay fever, there are plenty of things you can try. We have a detailed guide on how to unblock your nose with 10 methods that actually work.
When does hay fever season start in the UK?
The UK hay fever season typically runs from March to September, with different pollens peaking at different times:
- March to May: tree pollen (birch, oak, ash)
- May to July: grass pollen (the most common trigger, affecting around 95% of hay fever sufferers)
- June to September: weed pollen (nettles, dock, mugwort)
If you want to know what to expect this year, read our guide to hay fever season 2026.
What can you do about it?
If you have worked out that your symptoms are hay fever rather than a cold, the approach is different. Colds pass on their own. Hay fever needs management.
For a cold:
- Rest and stay hydrated
- Use steam inhalation or saline rinses for congestion (see our guide to unblocking your nose)
- Over-the-counter painkillers for aches and fever
- It should clear within 7 to 10 days
For hay fever:
- Stay indoors when the pollen count is high
- Shower and change clothes after being outside
- Keep windows closed during peak pollen hours
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes
- Try a saline nasal rinse to wash out pollen
- Consider natural approaches if antihistamines are not enough. Read our guide on natural hay fever remedies that actually work.
When to see a doctor
See your GP if:
- Your symptoms last more than 3 weeks and you are not sure of the cause
- Over-the-counter treatments are not helping
- Your symptoms are severe enough to affect your sleep, work, or daily life
- You develop a high fever, facial pain, or thick green/yellow discharge that lasts more than 10 days (this could suggest a sinus infection)
For more information about hay fever, visit the NHS hay fever page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a cold or hay fever?
The easiest way to tell: if your eyes itch and your symptoms last longer than 10 days, it is most likely hay fever. If you have body aches, a fever, or thick coloured mucus, it is probably a cold. Check the comparison table above for a full breakdown.
Can hay fever cause a cough?
Yes. A hay fever cough is usually dry and tickly, caused by mucus dripping down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) or irritation from breathing through your mouth when your nose is blocked. It is different from a chesty cold cough.
Why do I get a “cold” every spring?
If you seem to catch a cold at the same time every year, it is almost certainly hay fever. Colds are caused by viruses and do not follow seasonal patterns. Hay fever follows the pollen calendar very predictably.
Can hay fever start later in life?
Yes. Many people develop hay fever for the first time as adults, sometimes in their 30s, 40s, or even later. If you have never had hay fever before and suddenly develop spring symptoms, do not rule it out just because you are older.
Last updated: April 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. If your symptoms persist, please consult your GP.
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