Hay Fever and Exams: How Allergy Immunotherapy Could Help Your Child Succeed

AllergyRhino
May 12
3 min read

Updated: May 19

Woman holds hands with two girls carrying backpacks walking toward a colorful school building, surrounded by trees, on a sunny day. — Exam seasons are consistently impacted by hay fever symptoms, yet long-term solutions remain underutilised.

Every year, thousands of teenagers face their summer exams at the same time as Britain’s peak pollen season – a terrible combination for students with hay fever.

If your child struggles with sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion during spring and early summer, you’re not alone. Studies show hay fever can cause serious problems during exams, affecting concentration, sleep, and even final grades.

In fact, research found that teenagers with active hay fever symptoms were 40% more likely to drop a grade between their mock and final exams. If they were taking old-style sedating antihistamines, that risk rose to 70%.

Hay fever is not just a nuisance – it can genuinely impact your child’s future.

🧠 How Hay Fever Impacts Exam Performance

Disrupted Focus: Constant sneezing, blocked noses, and itchy eyes make it harder to concentrate in exams.
Poor Sleep: Allergy symptoms can lead to sleepless nights before important papers.
Mental Fog: Some allergy medications, especially sedating (or even supposedly non-sedating) antihistamines, cause drowsiness and slow thinking.

The result? Even the brightest students can underperform on the day that matters most.

💊 Why Standard Hay Fever Medications May Not Be Enough

Most families rely on over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays. But not all allergy medicines are exam-friendly.

Young girl in pink shirt covers face anxiously in classroom. Blurred students at desks in background. Bright, airy setting. — Don’t let hay fever hold your child back this exam season. Start desensitisation today for next year’s success.

Antihistamines (like Piriton) can make students drowsy, reducing memory, reaction time, and problem-solving ability – the last thing you want during a timed exam.

Even supposedly non-drowsy antihistamines often do cause some level of sedation.

🌱 The Smarter Solution for Hay Fever: Allergy Immunotherapy

Allergy immunotherapy (also called desensitisation) doesn’t just hide symptoms - it re-trains the immune system.

Before and after desensitization infographic. Left: Immune overreaction, worried face. Right: Tolerance, happy face, check mark. — Clinically proven immunotherapy for hay fever. Trains the immune system to tolerate allergens over time.

Over time, the body becomes much less reactive to pollen, meaning fewer symptoms, less reliance on meds, and better performance during stressful periods like exam season.

Proven effectiveness: Studies show immunotherapy can reduce hay fever symptoms by 30% or more.
Lasting benefits: Relief often continues for 10+ years even after treatment ends.
Convenient options: Modern immunotherapy can be taken at home as simple daily tablets or drops under the tongue.

Starting immunotherapy early - ideally in the autumn or winter before exams - gives students the best chance to benefit.

🏫 Why AllergyRhino?

At AllergyRhino, we work in partnership with leading NHS allergy specialists, including Professor Adam Fox and Professor Stephen Till from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital.

We offer personalised allergy testing, tailored treatment plans, and support throughout your child’s journey.

Children focus on writing at desks in a bright classroom. A blue-shirted boy is central. "Beech" sign is visible. Warm, studious mood. — Clearer breathing. Sharper focus. Stronger results.

We offer at-home allergy testing kits to accurately identify the types of allergens
Our fully remote service includes expert consultations from the comfort of your home without the need for repeated hospital visits
Treatment plans designed for busy school and exam schedules