Hay fever

HAY fee-vuh /ˈheɪ ˌfiːvə/

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What it really means

An allergy to pollen, very common in the UK in spring and summer — sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose. Pharmacies sell antihistamines over the counter for it.

Chinese explanation

花粉症：对花粉过敏，在英国春夏非常普遍——打喷嚏、眼睛痒、流鼻涕。药店有非处方的抗组胺药。

Example conversation

A: I can't stop sneezing and my eyes are itchy. B: Sounds like hay fever — the pollen count is high today. The chemist has tablets for it.

A：我一直打喷嚏，眼睛也痒。 B：听着像花粉症——今天花粉浓度很高。药店有对应的药。

What you could say back

No spoken reply needed for this one.

Related phrases

Over the counter Chemist

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

Go deeper

Dentists and Opticians in the UK: Costs, NHS Bands and How to Get Seen How the NHS Works: Where to Go When You Are Ill in England Mental Health Support in the UK: Where to Turn and How It Works

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake