Hay fever/Allergies

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergy that affects the nose and eyes. It happens when your body reacts to allergens like pollen, dust mites, mould, or pet dander. Typical symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, and watery eyes. For some people, hay fever is seasonal (like in spring or summer), while others may experience it all year round.

There is currently no cure for hay fever, but the symptoms can be managed effectively. With the right treatment and by avoiding the things that trigger your allergies, most people find they can keep their symptoms under control. The goal is to ease the symptoms and improve your daily comfort.

Yes, there are a few natural steps that may help ease hay fever symptoms. You can try to avoid triggers like pollen by keeping windows shut during high pollen days, using HEPA filters in your home, and showering after being outside. Rinsing your nose with saline spray or inhaling steam may also help clear your nasal passages. Some people find herbal remedies such as butterbur or quercetin helpful, but it’s best to check with your doctor first to make sure they’re safe for you.

Hay fever treatment usually includes a mix of medication and lifestyle changes. Common treatments are antihistamines to reduce sneezing and itching, nasal sprays to reduce swelling inside the nose, and decongestants to relieve a blocked nose. For people with severe symptoms, allergy injections (called immunotherapy) might also be recommended to help your body build tolerance to allergens.

Hay fever medicines come in lots of different forms to suit your symptoms. These include tablets (like antihistamines), nasal sprays (to help with a blocked nose), and eye drops (for itchy, watery eyes). Some people may also need regular allergy injections if their symptoms are very bad and other treatments haven’t worked well.

Some hay fever treatments can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy, such as antihistamines and nasal sprays. However, stronger or long-term treatments may require a prescription. At PharmXtra, all requests for prescription medications are subject to an online clinical consultation, and the decision to prescribe will be made by a registered independent prescriber.