Spring has sprung, but along with blooming flowers and sunny days, allergy season is in full swing. The Met Office estimates almost 10 million people in England suffer from hay fever every year, so you are definitely not alone.
If you find yourself reaching for the tissues more often than you'd like, it's time to arm yourself with the right tools to combat those pesky allergy symptoms.
Let's explore the top medications that should be in your allergy toolkit so you can breathe easily and enjoy the season to the fullest.
- Histallay Tablets.
- Optrex Allergy Eye Drops.
- Optrex Hay Fever Relief Drops.
- Treathay Fexofenadine.
- Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray.
- Pirinase Hayfever Relief Nasal Spray.
- Clarityn Allergy Hayfever Relief.
- Piriton Allergy.
- Piriteze Once A Day Allergy Syrup.
- Benadryl Allergy Relief.
What is the strongest over-the-counter antihistamine?
If you’re suffering from a range of hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, itching, blocked or runny nose, and itchy, red, and watery eyes, then Histallay (Fexofenadine) 120mg Tablets are an effective solution.
Fexofenadine, the active ingredient in Histallay, is commonly prescribed for allergies, but with Histallay, you can purchase it over the counter without a prescription.
Fexofenadine works by blocking histamine receptors in the body, which helps reduce allergic reactions that cause these uncomfortable symptoms.
By taking Histallay as directed, you can experience relief from hay fever symptoms. However, following the recommended dosage and usage instructions provided with Histallay is essential to ensure safe and effective relief.
If you have any questions or concerns about using this medication, consult your pharmacist or doctor for advice.
How to relieve itchy, red or watery eyes
Eye drops can be a game-changer if you have hay fever and experience bothersome eye symptoms like itching, redness, or watering.
Antihistamine eye drops block histamine, providing quick relief for allergic reactions in your eyes.
If your symptoms persist or if you're looking for more comprehensive relief, combining antihistamine eye drops with other allergy medications, such as oral antihistamines or nasal sprays, may be beneficial.
Top 3 products for itchy, red or watery eyes
1. Optrex Allergy Eye Drops
During hay fever season, allergens like pollen can cause your eyes to become itchy, red, and irritated. Optrex Allergy Eye Drops offer a gentle solution to soothe these symptoms by relieving discomfort and reducing redness.
You can use 1-2 drops into each eye four times daily. Unlike many other eye drops, they don't need to be stored in the fridge, so you can take them with you on the go.
2. Optrex Hay Fever Relief Drops
When allergies flare up, your eyes can feel irritated and uncomfortable. Optrex Hay Fever Relief Drops can be a useful tool to alleviate these symptoms.
These drops offer relief from itchiness and redness by providing moisture and calming irritation as they contain 2% of the active ingredient sodium cromoglicate.
To use, gently squeeze 1 or 2 drops into each eye four times daily. If you don't see improvement after two days of use, see your doctor or pharmacist.
3. Treathay Fexofenadine
Treathay Fexofenadine Tablets contain fexofenadine hydrochloride as an active ingredient, an antihistamine medication. This medication is suitable for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older who suffer from hay fever.
The recommended dose is one tablet (120 mg) daily before a meal, which works by relieving most hay fever symptoms, including watery eyes, itching, runny or blocked nose, and sneezing. If your symptoms persist or worsen, stop taking the tablets and consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How to relieve a blocked or runny nose
Nasal sprays are a great option for managing hay fever symptoms like congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itching. They deliver medication directly to the inflamed nasal tissues where allergies cause problems. Corticosteroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nose, easing congestion and itching.
Nasal sprays for hay fever are convenient and have fewer side effects than oral medications. Steroid nasal sprays help create a protective barrier against allergens and reduce symptom severity.
Top 3 products for a blocked or runny nose
1. Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray
Nasal corticosteroid sprays and decongestants, such as the Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray, can help reduce inflammation and open up nasal passages, relieving congestion and promoting clearer breathing during allergy season.
To use this medication, spray two doses into each nostril every morning and evening for a maximum of eight daily doses.
2. Pirinase Hayfever Relief Nasal Spray
The Pirinase Hayfever Relief Nasal Spray contains the active ingredient fluticasone propionate, which reduces inflammation in the nasal passages, suppresses histamine release and controls the immune response to alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Shake the bottle gently before using it and spray two doses into each nostril once a day. You can lower the dose to one daily spray in each nostril when your symptoms improve.
3. Clarityn Allergy Hayfever Relief
Clarityn Allergy 10mg Tablets contain the antihistamine Loratadine, which helps reduce allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and burning or itchy eyes in adults and children over two years old. It can also help relieve urticaria symptoms (itching and redness), often known as hives or nettle rash.
You can take one tablet of Clarityn Allergy daily to reduce your symptoms for the whole day and comfortably continue your normal activities. Speak to a medical professional if you have an underlying medical condition, take other medications or therapies, or if your symptoms persist.
How to relieve sneezing and coughing
Oral tablets are a popular and effective option for managing hay fever symptoms like sneezing, coughing, itching, and watery eyes. They work by blocking histamine receptors in the body, providing quick relief from allergies and skin reactions. Many of these tablets are non-drowsy, allowing you to manage symptoms without feeling overly tired.
Some oral allergy medications combine antihistamines with decongestants to relieve nasal congestion and sinus pressure associated with hay fever. If you have severe hay fever, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids for their strong anti-inflammatory effects to reduce symptoms.
Taking oral hay fever tablets regularly during allergy season can help prevent symptoms or reduce their severity by blocking an allergic reaction before it occurs.
Top 3 products for sneezing and coughing
1. Piriton Allergy
Piriton Tablets provide fast relief from hay fever symptoms. They contain an antihistamine called Chlorphenamine Maleate, which can help relieve hay fever symptoms, itchy skin rashes, and other allergies.
Antihistamines and cough suppressants address the body's allergic response and calm irritated airways, relieving these symptoms during allergy season. By taking one tablet every four to six hours, you can effectively control sneezing and coughing for greater comfort and symptom relief. You should not take more than six tablets in 24 hours.
2. Piriteze Once A Day Allergy Syrup
Piriteze Once A Day Allergy Syrup targets histamine to reduce sneezing and soothe allergy-related coughing symptoms. The active ingredient, cetirizine hydrochloride, is an antihistamine that can alleviate symptoms associated with allergies and itchy skin rashes.
As the name suggests, you only need one 10ml dose of the syrup a day to treat hay fever symptoms and other allergies, such as pet, house dust mite, mould spore allergies and hives' rashes. If you have kidney problems, you may need to lower the dose - see the medication leaflet or talk to your pharmacist for further advice.
3. Benadryl Allergy Relief
Benadryl Allergy Relief Capsules effectively relieve allergy symptoms. You can take one capsule as necessary up to three times a day. The capsule becomes active within 15 minutes and can deliver relief for up to 8 hours.
Benadryl is effective against dust allergies, pet dander allergies, and hives. It works as an antihistamine to block reactions like sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, and an itchy nose and throat.
Non-medicinal tips for hay fever season
Although all the medications we've mentioned can relieve hay fever symptoms and allergy reactions, there are many ways to avoid allergens naturally.
- Try and avoid spending too much time outdoors if the pollen count is high. You can get the pollen forecast from your weather app, weather websites, or the weather forecast on the TV.
- Keep windows closed at home and in the car to reduce your exposure to pollen and other allergens. Use an air purifier at home, if you can afford one, to help clean air circulate indoors.
- To reduce exposure to allergens while sleeping, use hypoallergenic bedding and encase pillows and mattresses in dust-mite-proof covers.
- After spending time outdoors, shower and change into clean clothes to remove pollen from your hair and skin.
- Rinse your nasal passages with saline solution to flush out allergens and ease nasal congestion.
- If possible, avoid mowing lawns or being around freshly cut grass, as this can release pollen into the air and trigger an allergic reaction.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when outdoors.
- Dry clothes indoors instead of outside, as pollen can cling to clothes and linens, causing skin allergies.
Managing hay fever effectively with Pharmacy2U
By incorporating these effective hay fever management strategies into your daily routine, you can take control of any hay fever allergic reaction.
From monitoring pollen counts to using Pharmacy2U's service to order allergy medications, proactive management can significantly reduce your hay fever symptoms and improve your quality of life during allergy season.
Image Credit: Hari Anita Austvika at unsplash
