The best hay fever tablets to fight the sneeze (2023)

Hay fever is extremely common with an estimated one in five people in England suffering from the irritating symptoms during the spring and summer months.

The best hay fever tablets at glance

• Best overall: Allacan Cetirizine Hayfever Allergy Tablets - 6 Months Supply - View on Amazon.co.uk
• Best for 24-hour hayfever relief: Clarityn Allergy Tablets - 1 Month Supply - View on Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget-friendly hayfever relief: Tesco Hayfever & Allergy 30 Tablets - View on Tesco.com

You may wonder why you get hay fever. Hay fever happens when your immune system overreacts to things like pollen. Your immune system produces antibodies that bind to cells in your nose and eyes. When you encounter the allergen again, these cells release chemicals like histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Hay fever symptoms are usually seasonal because they're triggered by specific allergens like tree or grass pollen.

Your hay fever should not have to mean you pull out of plans or limit yourself every year, with the right hay fever and allergy relief for you, one simple tablet a day could be exactly what you need. You may also want to consider a hay fever nasal spray.

Without further ado, let's get into our picks for the best hay fever tablets...

The best tablets for hay fever relief

It is vitally important to remember that different tablets will work differently for everyone, so it really is right you find the perfect tablet relief for you. That being said, with its dazzling reviews the best tablets for hay fever relief would have to be the Allacan Cetirizine Hayfever Allergy Tablets.

Trusted by thousands nationwide to battle hay fever symptoms every year, these tablets are strong and non-drowsy so they let you carry on with your days as close to normal as possible with just one tablet daily.

FAQs:

What are the types of hay fever tablets?

Antihistamines are the medicines most commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms such as hay fever. There are many types of antihistamines, but they can be divided into two groups:

• Non-drowsy - non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to make you feel sleepy – such as cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.

• Drowsy - antihistamines that make you feel sleepy, such as chlorphenamine (including Piriton), hydroxyzine and promethazine.

Read more information on antihistamines at NHS.uk.

Five ways to ease the sneeze

We listened to experts at LloydsPharmacy to pick up some top tips and super insightful information on how best to fight hay fever this summer:

LloydsPharmacy Pharmacist, Anshu Kaura, provides her five top tips to cope with hay fever symptoms this summer.

1. Be pollen aware

“If you have hay fever, your allergies will be worse when the pollen count is high, so plan ahead and stay indoors during peak pollen times if possible. On weeks when the pollen count is high or very high, it would also be advisable to avoid grassy areas, particularly in the early morning, evening or night, when the pollen count is highest."

2. Targeted treatments

“In terms of treatments, there is a range of solutions such as eye drops, nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets or syrups to treat symptoms. If you are looking for an alternative treatment, try using the LloydsPharmacy Allergy Reliever along with your usual allergy medicines. Your local pharmacist will be able to help advise you on the best treatments as most people require a multi-method approach for hay fever."

3. Avoid going out too early or too late

“The severity of hay fever symptoms will depend on the pollen count at the time, and there are many reasons why the pollen count fluctuates. The pollen count will fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, weather and atmosphere. During hay fever season, the pollen count will be at its highest early in the morning and late in the evening; this is due to pollen rising during the day with the hotter air, before falling as it cools down again in the evening."

4. Shut your windows and doors

“You should keep your windows closed when possible, even at night and when you’re driving in the car, as this will help you to avoid coming into contact with pollen. This is especially important in the early morning and evening when pollen is released. If you’re still experiencing symptoms indoors, a good air filter that can be used in the home could be a worthwhile investment."

5. Cover up

“If you frequently experience itchy and watery eyes, treatments that directly target the area may be most effective. It is also advisable to wear sunglasses on high pollen count days. Sunglasses which have a wraparound effect can be most beneficial to reduce pollen directly affecting the eye area. In addition, the masks we’ve all become accustomed to wearing during the pandemic can actually be beneficial for those of us who have allergy symptoms too, as well as potentially protecting against pollution."

Finding effective hay fever relief that works for you and your schedule can be difficult, especially if you're going through and trying the hundreds on offer.

Effective relief for you is out there, we just have to find it. Check out our top picks of the best hay fever tablets available to buy online right now, and get yourself one step closer to a sneeze-free summer this year.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Common symptoms of hay fever include:

• A runny or blocked nose

• Itchy, watery and red eyes

• Sneezing

• Worsening of asthma symptoms (wheezing and breathlessness)

• An itchy throat

What are the common side effects of hay fever tablets?

Side effects will differ from brand to brand and depend on the active ingredients featured in each tablet. There are however common symptoms of any antihistamine, these are:

• Feeling sleepy and tired

• Headaches

• Feeling nauseous and dizzy

• Sore throat

• Itching or a rash

• Feeling agitated

Always be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and read all information provided to avoid such symptoms.

Do hay fever tablets work?

Although there is no cure for hay fever, hay fever relief tablets will lessen the symptoms and provide relief to the user. According to LloydsPharmacy, these antihistamine tablets work by altering the way the body reacts to histamine, a chemical released by the body when it thinks it is being attacked by a harmful substance. It is histamine that causes the symptoms of hay fever, such as a runny nose and watery eyes.

What are antihistamines?

Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings.

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