Hay Fever in Denver: Allergies or a Cold, What Helps, and When to Get Seen

Hay fever (seasonal allergies) causes sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy, watery eyes, nose or throat, when your immune system overreacts to pollen. It doesn't cause a fever, despite the name. Allergies are more likely than a cold if symptoms come back the same season every year, last for weeks, and itching is a big part of it. In Denver, tree pollen peaks in spring, grass in early summer and weeds in late summer into fall. Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays work well for most people.

Allergies or a cold?

• Itching: common with allergies, rare with a cold
• Fever and body aches: never from allergies; sometimes with a cold
• Mucus: usually clear and thin with allergies; can thicken with a cold
• How long: allergies last as long as you're exposed, often weeks; a cold usually clears in 7 to 10 days
• Timing: allergies come back the same time each year, or around a trigger like a pet

Can allergies cause a sore throat?

Yes. Postnasal drip from allergies can cause a scratchy, irritated throat, especially in the morning. A very sore throat with fever and swollen glands is more likely an infection such as strep.

Denver's allergy seasons

• Spring (February to May): tree pollen, including juniper, elm, cottonwood and ash
• Early summer (May to July): grass pollen
• Late summer to first frost (August to October): weed pollen, especially ragweed and sagebrush
• Year-round: dust mites, pet dander and mold

Dry, windy days spread pollen farther, and Colorado's high altitude and sunshine can make pollen seasons feel long.

What helps

• Non-drowsy antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine) for sneezing, itching and runny nose
• Nasal steroid sprays (fluticasone, budesonide, triamcinolone), the most effective for nasal symptoms when used daily, starting before the season
• Antihistamine eye drops for itchy, watery eyes
• Saline rinses to wash pollen out of the nose
• Keep windows closed on high-pollen days, run the AC with a clean filter, and shower and change clothes after time outdoors

When to get seen

Come in if over-the-counter treatment isn't controlling symptoms, if you're wheezing or short of breath (allergies can set off asthma), if you have facial pain and thick mucus lasting more than 10 days, which can be a sinus infection, or if you're not sure it's allergies. A clinician can prescribe stronger treatment. At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. A telehealth visit is $75. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our seasonal allergies page and the cost and insurance page.

Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, wheezing that your rescue inhaler isn't helping, or dizziness or fainting after contact with something you're allergic to. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if you have one. Our post on hives vs. anaphylaxis explains the signs.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.