TL;DR: Start a daily non-drowsy antihistamine before the pollen peaks, add a steroid nasal spray for blocked noses, and see a pharmacist if symptoms don’t improve.
What causes hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, usually from March to September in the UK.
Treatment options
- Antihistamine tablets (cetirizine, loratadine)
- Steroid nasal sprays (beclometasone)
- Antihistamine eye drops
When to speak to a pharmacist or GP
If over-the-counter treatments are not working, or you have asthma symptoms, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
Medically reviewed by A. Patel MPharmWritten by PilMarket Pharmacy Team. This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your pharmacist or GP.
FAQs
Common questions
Cetirizine and loratadine are generally non-drowsy for most people.