Deborah Bartlett, an interior design journalist, found unexpected relief from severe hay fever symptoms, including constant sneezing, a streaming nose, and intensely itchy eyes, after incorporating a liquid probiotic into her daily regimen. Bartlett, who developed hay fever in her late 20s, described her symptoms as debilitating, particularly as she wore contact lenses.
She had tried numerous over-the-counter remedies, such as nasal sprays, tablets, and eye drops, without success. Her misery typically began in spring and lasted through the summer. Bartlett had resigned herself to persistent allergy suffering until her daughter accidentally left a bottle of liquid probiotics at her home in March 2023.
The probiotic, containing four strains of live bacteria, was initially being taken by her daughter to support her health during pregnancy. Bartlett, who generally considered herself healthy and maintained a good diet, decided to try the probiotic to avoid waste. After starting a daily 70ml dose, she noticed an increase in energy levels and continued taking it. It was not until the following spring that she realized her hay fever symptoms had completely disappeared.
"Hang on a minute, I haven't had hay fever!" Bartlett recalled thinking as others discussed their allergies. She reported no streaming nose, relentless sneezing, or itchy eyes, which she found entirely unexpected.
Emerging research suggests a connection between gut bacteria and allergies like hay fever. Adam Fox, a consultant at Allergy London, notes that certain bacteria, including Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, may aid in managing hay fever. Hay fever, medically known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, occurs when the immune system overreacts to pollen, releasing histamine. This chemical causes inflammation in the nasal passages and dilation of blood vessels in the eyes, leading to typical allergy symptoms.
Recent studies suggest that imbalances in gut bacteria could directly disrupt the immune system, potentially contributing to hay fever. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Microbiology indicated this link. Probiotics are thought to help by altering the gut bacteria balance, which can lead to the production of beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
Australian research from 2022 indicated that adults who took a probiotic for 10-12 weeks reported fewer hay fever symptoms and an improved quality of life compared to a placebo group. Similarly, a 2017 trial by the University of Florida found that participants taking a three-strain probiotic experienced significant improvements in allergy-related quality of life.
Experts like Professor Fox suggest that probiotics can be a harmless and reasonable intervention to try alongside standard hay fever treatments, though he cautions that they may not be sufficient for individuals with severe allergies. Helen Brough, a consultant in pediatric allergy, views the research in this area as a promising development in allergy medicine. She suggests that future allergy care might involve analyzing a patient's gut microbiome and prescribing targeted probiotic therapies to help restore immune system tolerance from within.
Bartlett, who developed severe hay fever after moving to Melbourne, Australia, a region known for its potent pollen, remains convinced of the probiotic's efficacy. Despite trying various over-the-counter treatments, she found only temporary relief. She believes her three years of being hay fever-free while taking probiotics is too significant a coincidence to ignore. She recently enjoyed playing with her new puppy in the garden without allergy concerns, an activity previously impossible due to her condition.
While Professor Fox notes that hay fever symptoms can naturally improve with age and highlights other effective treatments like desensitization therapy, Bartlett's experience points to the potential role of probiotics in managing allergy symptoms.