Antihistamines
Histamine is a chemical released by your body after it's been exposed to a trigger such as pollen. It produces symptoms of hay fever such as sneezing or itchy, watery eyes.
Antihistamines block the action of histamine in the body. According to John Collard, clinical director of Allergy UK, this then reduces the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
“Older-style sedating antihistamines, such as Piriton, are taken three or four times a day and can make you drowsy,” says Collard. “Non-sedating antihistamines, such as loratadine, are only taken once a day and don't cause drowsiness. Different people find different brands work best for them.”
As well as tablets, antihistamines are available as nasal sprays, eye drops or liquids to be swallowed. Most are available as over-the-counter drugs.
Read more about hay fever tablets.
Steroid nasal sprays
Steroid nasal sprays are more effective than antihistamines at treating some symptoms of hay fever, such as a blocked nose.
They just work on the nose and hardly any of the steroid is absorbed by the body. There are almost no side effects with a normal dose. You can use steroid nasal sprays for long periods of time without any risk.
They take several days to act and need be taken continually for several weeks as their effect builds up with time.
If you have other symptoms, steroid nasal sprays can be used in addition to other treatments, for example for itchy and watery eyes.
Cromoglycates
Cromoglycates are not antihistamines. They're a type of hay fever medicine mainly available as eye drops but you can also get them as nasal sprays. If antihistamines aren’t working on their own, you can use cromoglycates as well.
This medication has few side effects and works on specific areas such as the nose or eyes.
Hay fever injections
Immunotherapy or desensitisation treatment may work if your symptoms are severe and are not controlled by other hay fever medicines. If you want this type of treatment, you need to go to a specialist allergy clinic after referral from your GP.
Initially you have to have an injection every week or fortnight at the clinic and then regularly for up to two years.
It involves pollen being injected into your body, so you may have an allergic response. There have been a few cases of severe reactions to desensitisation injections. They should only be given in specialist centres and only if your symptoms can't be controlled by other methods.
Complementary medicine
Although there is little evidence-based research in this area, some people believe these therapies work for them.
Butterbur, also known as ‘bog rhubarb’, is a herbal remedy that is believed to have the same effect as an antihistamine but without causing drowsiness.
Echinacea, usually used to treat colds, is said to reduce your sensitivity to allergens.
Euphrasia (or Eyebright) comes as eye drops and is sometimes used for symptoms of hay fever such as watery or itchy eyes.
Now, read five ways to reduce your hay fever symptoms.
