Pollen Allergy Triggers, symptoms & seasons

If you have pollen allergy, you can develop hayfever symptoms at specific times of the year. Find out what types of pollen may trigger your symptoms, when they typically peak in your area and the steps you can take.

What is pollen and pollen allergy?

Pollen is a fine, powdery grain released from plants, and it can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. The amount of pollen in the air will vary depending on the season and where you live. Pollens, once released, can be spread to other places by insects, birds and the wind.1

Pollen allergy is one of the main causes of hayfever, also called allergic rhinitis. If you have a pollen allergy, an exposure to pollen can cause you to develop symptoms such as runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing.1

Symptoms occur because your immune system detects an allergy trigger (such as pollen) and reacts by producing a chemical called histamine to defend against the foreign substance. Histamine causes the unpleasant symptoms of hayfever.1

Types of pollens that can trigger hayfever

The three main types of pollens that can trigger an allergy are tree, grass and weed pollens. Some of the plants that fall under each category include: 2,3

1. Tree pollens

Pine tree, oak tree and olive tree

2. Grass pollens

Bermuda grass, canary grass and Johnson grass

3. Weed pollens

Parthenium, pellitory and ragweed

Tree pollens

  • Pine
  • Oak
  • Olive

Tree pollens

  • Bermuda
  • Canary
  • Johnson

Tree pollens

  • Parthenium
  • Pellitory
  • Ragweed

Symptoms of pollen allergy

Everyone’s immune system is different and may develop different symptoms in response to a pollen allergy. Common symptoms include:4

Sneezing

Sneezing and coughing from post nasal drip

Red, itchy and watery eyes

Swollen, itchy puffy eyes

Itchy ears, throat and roof of the mouth

A pollen allergy can also cause more complicated symptoms, such as:1

Recurrent sinus infections

Sleep disturbance

Extreme tiredness

Headaches

Poor concentration

Difficulty controlling asthma

If you think you may have an allergy, keeping a diary of your symptoms can help you and your doctor understand what triggers your symptoms and find the best treatment plan.

Living with pollen allergy

It can be difficult to avoid pollen, as it floats in the air and can be easily inhaled, but there are steps you can take to reduce exposure during pollen season.1,4

  • Stay indoors as much as you can, especially on windy days
  • Keep your windows at home and in the car closed
  • Avoid mowing the grass, and wear a face mask if you have to go near freshly cut grass
  • Remove any weeds and grasses that trigger your symptoms from around your house
  • Protect your eyes with sunglasses, and carry a face mask with you
  • Avoid going outside after thunderstorms as the pollen count tends to be high
  • Use preventer treatments for hayfever

Using a pollen calendar

A pollen calendar can be useful for finding out what types of pollen are in your area. Pollen calendars also forecast how much pollen will be in the air using a pollen count.

Like weather forecasts, pollen forecasts are estimates, but they can be used to prepare and plan your day during pollen season.3 This can help you avoid or minimise your exposure to potential triggers.3 For example, if you know that the pollen count is relatively high in the morning, you can schedule outdoor activities for the afternoon instead.

Depending on where you live in Australia, the peak pollen season will vary:

  • In Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney, the pollen count tends to peak across spring and summer months, between September and February.
  • In Hobart and Melbourne, the peak season is typically in October and November.
  • In Brisbane, Darwin and Perth, pollens can be high most of the year.4

You can use the infographic below to work out when the pollen count is likely to be highest in your area and take necessary steps to limit your exposure

Peak pollen season in different cities across Australia4

City

Months with highest pollen count

Adelaide

September to February

Brisbane

Most of the year

Canberra

September to February

Darwin

Most of the year

Hobart

October to November

Melbourne

October to November

Perth

Most of the year

Sydney

September to February

Learn more about other hayfever symptoms
References
  1. Better Health Channel. Pollen Allergies. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/pollen-allergies Accessed: August 2024.
  2. Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Pollen Allergy. Available at: https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/pollen-allergy Accessed: August 2024.
  3. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen Allergy. Available from: https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/pollen-allergy/ Accessed: August 2024.
  4. Health Direct. Pollen Allergy. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/pollen-allergy Accessed: August 2024.