Taking too many allergy tests may sometimes cause confusion, and cause you unnecessary lifestyle changes to avoid many types of allergens that may not actually be causing your symptoms. Speak with your doctor about what the results of your allergy test mean, and whether you need to make changes to your lifestyle. Hay fever is another name for allergic rhinitis. Hay fever mainly refers to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is the allergies you experience at certain times of the year due to pollen from grass, weeds and trees. But some people use the terms interchangeably. When do most people get seasonal allergies? These include keeping windows shut, staying inside if you can in the mornings and evenings, when the pollen count tends to be higher, and not drying your washing outside or mowing the lawn. Most hay fever tablets are pretty tiny, though you can get oral antihistamines in liquid formats too if you struggle with swallowing pills (or for children).

Nasal sprays are more expensive than tablets, and not everyone likes using them. But they’re brilliant for helping you breathe, especially at night. What’s more, they may even help you build up hay fever resistance over time. “Corticosteroids will help the body build up a resistance to hay fever symptoms, so they’re usually better in the long run,” said Hussain. How do all these different hay fever treatments work? The active ingredient in these tends to be sodium cromoglicate, which inhibits the release of histamine. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe red, inflamed eyes. Antihistamines are probably the best known type of allergy medication, and most are readily available from a pharmacy without prescription. However, there are a number of different types of antihistamines; some have been used for many years, some are improvements on old drugs, and new antihistamines are being developed all the time.If you find your hay fever symptoms can't be managed with over the counter products, it's best to talk to your pharmacist or see your GP. Find out more with the NHS hay fever guide . Your doctor can diagnose hay fever from a description of your symptoms and when they occur. They may also ask what over-the-counter or prescribed medicines you already take for hay fever. It’s also a good idea to record and tell your doctor about any triggers you have noticed in your work or home environment, and how hay fever affects your quality of life. Physical examination Most non-prescription antihistamines are the non-drowsy type (although some people do find they make them sleepy). The two main types are cetirizine (such as Piriteze) and loratadine (such as Clarityn). Acrivastine (such as Benadryl Allergy Relief) is a newer type of non-drowsy antihistamine that works faster.

By far the biggest savings can be made by switching from branded to own-brand or generic products. Generic antihistamines use the same active ingredients and we've found they can be up to 10 times cheaper. moderate to severe — meaning that your symptoms affect your sleep and daily activities such as work, school, sport and leisure Most people are able to manage or relieve hay fever on their own. However, you should speak with your doctor about treatment options if your symptoms are: Symptoms of a cold and hay fever are similar, but there are some differences. Itchy, red and watery eyes are common with allergies, but not as common with a cold. A cold is more likely to cause muscle aches and pain or a fever. During hay fever season, many stores put common remedies on offer - so look out for these and don't buy branded products full price.

The best hay fever treatments you can buy in 2023

Non-drowsy antihistamines that are less likely to make you feel sleepy, such as acrivastine, cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if you’re going to drive. Decongestants

These unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms can be relieved by avoidance of the allergic triggers and the use of antihistamines. Find our 4 top tips below: Their side effects are generally well tolerated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the following medicines: The treatments prescribed for allergy control the symptoms and reactions; they do not cure the condition. Find out more about treatments from our factsheet.

Keep house dust mites at bay. House dust mite allergies can be associated with hay fever and asthma symptoms but the trouble is they are microscopic and therefore hard to detect. As they gravitate to beds and humid environments, it’s advisable to wash your bedding weekly at 60°C or above to ensure you’ve killed them. You can buy “drowsy” antihistamines without a prescription, too. Chlorphenamine maleate is the active ingredient in Piriton Syrup, which is one of the few hay fever treatments suitable for young children. Your doctor can help you by asking you in detail about your symptoms. They will review your home and work environment for possible triggers, assess how intense your hay fever symptoms are and how much hay fever affects your day-to-day life. They can then organise further tests to investigate possible causes and help you find ways to manage or avoid hay fever in the future. The most common reactions in Northern Europe are to apples, hazelnut, and carrots. However, this will vary depending on each individual and their pollen allergies. Avoidance of the food that cause reactions is important, however, there is no need to avoid food that do not cause symptoms. Most of the time, the food only needs to be avoided in raw form as cooking denatures (breaks down) the allergen. For many with pollen food syndrome they can tolerate fruit and vegetables that are well cooked. If you are unsure how to manage symptoms or have symptoms suggestive of pollen food syndrome, speak with a health professional. Allergy UK approved products