Allergy Season in Malta: Symptoms, Sinus Relief & What You Need to Know

February 27, 2026

Allergy Season in Malta: Symptoms, Sinus Relief & What You Need to Know

In Malta’s mild Mediterranean climate, pollen can begin circulating as early as February - meaning allergy season starts sooner than many expect. Sneezing, itchy eyes, blocked noses, and headaches are common complaints, making understanding allergy, its triggers, and treatments essential for comfort.

What Is Allergy? Understanding the Immune Response

Allergy definition: an exaggerated immune system reaction to substances (allergens) that are usually harmless, like pollen, dust mites, or certain foods. When exposed, the immune system releases histamine, causing inflammation in the nose, eyes, throat, or skin. Common allergy symptoms include allergy headache, allergy skin rash, and sneezing.

Pollen allergy symptoms often affect the eyes, nose, and throat.
Allergy on pollen is the main cause of seasonal discomfort in Malta.

Allergy vs Intolerance

A person making a refusal gesture toward a glass of milk to illustrate the difference between a food allergy and an intolerance. Allergies involve the immune system, while intolerances do not. Allergies can lead to serious reactions, whereas intolerances typically cause digestive discomfort.

Actionable Tip: Keep an allergy diary to track triggers and timing. This helps identify patterns and plan preventive care.

When Is Allergy Season in Malta?

Wondering when is allergy season in Malta? The timeline depends on the main pollen triggers:

Season	Main Trigger	Common Symptoms
Feb – Apr	Tree pollen	Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose
Apr – Jun	Grass pollen	Grass pollen allergy season, hay fever eyes, itchy ears
Late Summer – Autumn	Weed pollen	Throat allergy, itchy skin, cough

During these periods, some experience the worst allergy season. Proactive care is key - using gentle sprays like Sterimar Allergic Nose as a daily preventive measure can reduce the frequency and intensity of seasonal allergy symptoms.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms: What to Expect

A person in a cream sweater sneezing into a tissue while holding a branch of white blossoms, representing seasonal pollen allergies.

Allergy season can trigger a wide range of symptoms:

Sneezing and nasal congestion
Itchy ears allergy season complaints
Hay fever eyes (red, watery, itchy)
Hay fever cough
Allergy headache or hay fever headache
Fatigue and brain fog
Allergy skin rash or itchy skin allergy

Actionable Tip: For immediate relief, consider Sterimar Stop & Protect Allergy Response. Its natural sea-water formula helps calm irritated nasal passages and reduce sneezing, making it ideal during the peak of grass pollen allergy season.

Allergies vs Cold

A close-up of a person lifting their glasses to rub an irritated, itchy eye, representing common allergy symptoms.

Many people ask: allergies vs cold, allergies or cold, or do I have allergies or a cold. Key differences:

Feature	Allergy	Cold
Fever	Rare	Common
Body aches	Rare	Common
Itchy eyes	Common	Rare
Duration	Weeks	5–10 days

Hay Fever vs Cold: Fever and body aches suggest a cold; itching and prolonged sneezing suggest allergies. Is hay fever contagious? No. Can hay fever cause fever? Rarely.

Sinus Complications & Head Pressure

A person holding their face in pain with a graphic overlay showing inflamed and congested sinus cavities to illustrate sinus pressure.

Untreated allergies can block facial sinuses, leading to sinus infection symptoms like pain, pressure, and congestion.

Sinus headache and facial pressure are common.
Can sinus infection cause fever? Yes, if bacterial.
Does sinus cause headache? Often.

Relief tips:

Saline nasal rinses such as Sterimar Nose Hygiene & Comfort
Gentle decongestants for adults
Regular nasal cleansing with Sterimar Allergic Nose can prevent allergen buildup and reduce risk of sinus headache

Actionable Tip: Combine nasal hygiene with hydration and steam inhalation to relieve pressure and clear sinuses.

Seasonal Allergies in Children

A child with irritated, red eyes holding a tissue to their nose to illustrate seasonal allergy symptoms in children.

Children are especially vulnerable. Watch for:

Seasonal allergies in children’s eyes (red, watery, itchy)
Seasonal allergies children dermatitis or seasonal allergies children eczema
Seasonal allergies in children autumn winter when indoor molds increase

Actionable Tip: For paediatric nasal congestion, use gentle sprays like Sterimar Blocked Nose Baby or Calpol Saline Nasal Spray. These are safe, non-medicated options to clear mucus and support easier breathing.

Beyond the Nose: Gut & Water Retention

A person holding a paper cutout of the human digestive system over their stomach to illustrate gut health and water retention.

Allergic reactions can affect more than the nose and eyes:

Can seasonal allergies affect the gut? Inflammation may cause digestive discomfort.
Seasonal allergies and gut health are increasingly researched topics.
Can water retention be due to seasonal allergies? In some cases, yes, due to inflammatory responses.

Hay Fever Treatment & Relief Options

A child sitting in a field of dandelions sneezing into a tissue as seeds blow around them, representing hay fever and pollen allergy symptoms.

Managing hay fever season requires both preventive and reactive strategies:

Antihistamines for fast relief of allergy symptoms (consult your pharmacist)
Nasal corticosteroid sprays for ongoing congestion
Eye drops for curing seasonal eye allergy naturally
Saline nasal rinses like Sterimar Nose Hygiene & Comfort
Immunotherapy or hay fever injection for severe cases

Actionable Tip: Start preventive sprays and hygiene routines before the pollen season peaks. Combining methods can reduce both intensity and duration of symptoms.

Shellfish Allergy Symptoms (For Awareness)

A person gesturing "stop" to a plate of shrimp and mussels while holding their stomach to represent shellfish allergy awareness.

While unrelated to pollen, some readers may search for shellfish allergy symptoms. These include hives, swelling, throat tightening, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Awareness is key for overall allergy safety.

How to Stop Allergies & Prevent Symptoms

A person holding up a hand in a "stop" gesture while coughing, illustrating how to prevent and manage allergy symptoms.

How to stop allergies immediately or how to stop allergies:

Take fast-acting antihistamines (as advised by your pharmacist
Rinse nasal passages with Sterimar Nose Hygiene & Comfort
Use eye drops for irritation
Avoid outdoor activities during high-pollen days
Track seasonal pollen allergy symptoms for anticipation

How to get rid of allergies during a change of season: Start preventive measures before new pollen types appear — tree, grass, or weed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is allergy?

An immune system reaction to harmless substances like pollen, dust, or certain foods.

2. What causes allergies?

Combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. Symptoms include allergy headache, allergy skin rash, and sneezing.

3. What is the difference between allergy and intolerance?

Allergies involve immune reactions; intolerances do not.

4. How can you tell if it’s allergies or a cold?

Allergies vs cold: itching, watery eyes, and prolonged sneezing suggest allergies; fever suggests a cold.

5. How to stop coughing from allergies?

Use nasal sprays, antihistamines, and stay hydrated.

6. Can seasonal allergies affect the gut?

Yes, systemic inflammation may influence digestive health.

7. Can water retention be due to seasonal allergies?

Possibly, due to inflammatory responses.

8. Is hay fever contagious?

No, it’s caused by allergens, not pathogens.

9. How to cure hay fever naturally?

Saline rinses, cold compresses, and reducing exposure to allergens.

10. How to get rid of allergies during a change of season?

Start antihistamines early, rinse sinuses, and avoid high pollen exposure.

11. How to relieve sinus headache?

Saline sprays, steam inhalation, and appropriate OTC decongestants.

12. What are shellfish allergy symptoms?

Hives, swelling, throat tightening, and severe reactions (anaphylaxis).

13. How to treat chronic sinusitis?

Use corticosteroid sprays, nasal irrigation, and consult a healthcare professional for persistent cases.