As well as medicines and remedies, there are lifestyle and environment changes you can make to relieve hay fever symptoms, particularly when the pollen count is high: 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. Hay fever is caused when the body makes allergic antibodies (IgE) to certain substances, such as pollen, house dust mites or mould, which are known as allergens. If you’re gardening at home, research which plants are less likely to trigger hay fever. Remove any weeds or vegetation outside your bedroom window that might trigger symptoms.

Allergic conjunctivitis can be seasonal or all year round (perennial). For most of those affected seasonally, sometimes known as hay fever eyes, the symptoms are part of their hay fever and the cause is the same – grass, tree, and weed or shrub pollen. What are the symptoms of allergic eye disease Saline nasal sprays are also becoming popular, too. These sprays don’t contain any chemicals at all, just sterile saline solution to “wash” pollen and other allergens out of the nasal cavity. You can use them as much as you like, unlike chemical spray. The treatments prescribed for allergy control the symptoms and reactions; they do not cure the condition. Find out more about treatments from our factsheet. Nasal sprays are anti-inflammatory medicines that help you breathe more easily, and in turn relieve sneezing and sore throats. They can dramatically improve your sleep if you’re a hay fever sufferer.In certain circumstances, your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue called oral immunotherapy. Currently, oral immunotherapy is only available for allergies to trees, grass and dust mites (in the U.S.). How many days does allergic rhinitis last? They also come in several different forms – including tablets, capsules, liquids, syrups, creams, lotions, gels, eyedrops and nasal sprays. Non-drowsy antihistamines are generally the best option, as they’re less likely to make you feel sleepy. But types that make you feel sleepy may be better if your symptoms stop you sleeping. For some people, saltwater nasal sprays or douches (a stream of water sprayed into the nose) will provide substantial relief from hay fever. These non-medicated approaches are safe and can often help relieve symptoms. Medicines The small bottle, with its mini “shelf” at the top, is really easy to use. Hold it with your thumb and two fingers, and squirt up each nostril twice a day. We don’t find the taste, smell or sensation unpleasant, but some may find it takes a bit of getting used to. ASK YOUR DOCTOR— Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist. How is hay fever treated?

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if you’re going to drive. Decongestants

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Some people shouldn’t use cetirizine hydrochloride medicines, including those who have an intolerance to or can’t absorb some sugars such as lactose or sorbitol and people who have an allergy to food additives E218 or E216. Hay fever can be triggered by seasonal allergens like pollens and grass or year-round triggers like dust mites, and animal fur. Decongestants can increase blood pressure and cause headaches, trouble sleeping and irritability. Nasal decongestants can be addictive when you use them for longer than five days. Corticosteroid nasal sprays These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase®, Nasacort® and Rhinocort®. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough. Leukotriene inhibitors 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.

The cheapest tablets we found were generally at discount stores like Wilko, or budget supermarkets like Asda. Regular antihistamine tablets, and medicated remedies like nasal sprays and eye drops are generally well tolerated, with mild side effects. Modern antihistamine tablets like loratadine and cetirizine shouldn't cause drowsiness like older types of antihistamines do. In Europe, the prevalence of birch pollen sensitisation is estimated to be around 8-16%, and of those, approximately 70% cross react with food sources (pollen food syndrome). Foods include: almond, apple, apricot, carrot, celery, cherry, hazelnut, kiwi, nectarine, peanut, peach, pear, plum, potato, soya and walnut.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. Some eye drops don't contain antihistamines, but instead ingredients intended to soothe and lubricate the eyes, such as witch hazel and glycerin. These medications relieve congestion in your nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth (in pill or liquid form) or use a nasal spray. They include:

Allergens are harmless to most people. But if you have hay fever, your immune system thinks the allergen is intruding. Your immune system tries to protect your body by releasing natural chemicals into your bloodstream. The main chemical is called histamine. It causes mucous membranes in your nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed and itchy as they work to eject the allergen from your body. 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:If you know which allergens trigger your hay fever, reducing your exposure to them may reduce symptoms. Use a DIY barrier balm. You could buy a specialist balm to apply to your nostrils to help prevent pollen entering your nose but a simple petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) can be just as effective.