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Introduction
This page contains some basic information about hayfever and how you can treat it yourself using over the counter (OTC) medicines.
Hayfever is caused by the body reacting to pollen from grasses, flowers, trees and/or weeds as if it is harmful to the body. The body reacts by producing histamine. This causes the unpleasant symptoms we know as hayfever.
Symptoms can include some or all of the following:
- Itchy eyes / throat
- Sneezing, blocked / runny nose
- Watering, red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- Headaches, blocked sinuses
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- The sensation of mucus running down the back of the throat, called post-nasal drip.
How do I know if I have hayfever or a cold?
If your symptoms only last about a week it is / was probably a cold; but if symptoms continue, then it is more likely to be hayfever. There isn’t a cure for hayfever yet and you cannot prevent it, but there are some things you can do to help yourself.
Hayfever can be treated without seeing the GP. If you are experiencing common seasonal hayfever symptoms you should no longer go to your GP to get a prescription. Instead, you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) medication from a local pharmacy or supermarket.
Your local pharmacist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment and if or when you should see a doctor for your symptoms. There are some age limits when buying OTC medications.
Some “DO”s and “DON’T”s to help
You can do things to ease your symptoms when the pollen count is high.
Do
- put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
- shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off stay indoors whenever possible
- keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter
Don't
- do not cut grass or walk on grass
- do not spend too much time outside
- do not keep fresh flowers in the house
- do not smoke or be around smoke - it makes your symptoms worse
- do not dry clothes outside - they can catch pollen
- do not let pets into the house if possible - they can carry pollen indoors
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Changes to the prescribing of hayfever treatments
In 2018, following a national consultation and publication of NHS England guidance, the following treatments are no longer available for GPs to prescribe to treat hay fever: antihistamine tablets and liquids (including cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine); steroid nasal sprays (including beclometasone) and sodium cromoglicate eye drops.
Common treatments
For general hayfever symptoms – such as sneezing, itchy throat, coughing - use simple antihistamine tablets, capsules or liquid. Antihistamines may cause drowsiness. Loratadine and cetirizine are available in both tablets and liquid and are taken usually once a day for those aged 12 years and over, or twice a day for younger children – see the table below for age ranges. Fexofenadine tablets are also now available as an OTC medicine. Acrivastine is available as a capsule and can be taken up to 3 times a day.
The above antihistamines are referred to as “second generation” antihistamines and are less likely to cause drowsiness.
Chlorphenamine is available as a tablet and a liquid and is taken up to 4 times a day. It may cause drowsiness.
DO NOT TAKE 2 ANTIHISTAMINES TOGETHER UNLESS RECOMMENDED BY YOUR DOCTOR.
For nasal symptoms – such as runny nose, sneezing and congestion – those aged 18 years and over may use a steroid nasal spray. This works by reducing inflammation in the nose and helps control allergic symptoms associated with hayfever. This will not produce immediate relief and can take 2-3 weeks of regular use before full benefit is seen. For best results start using 2-3 weeks before the likely onset of symptoms and make sure you use it every day. A pharmacist can check your technique to help make sure you are using it correctly.
A steroid nasal spray can also ease eye symptoms. Beclometasone, budesonide, fluticasone, mometasone and triamcinolone are steroid nasal sprays available to purchase over the counter. These cannot be sold over the counter for children under 18 years old. They should be discarded 3 months after first opening. Saltwater nasal sprays may also help. The aim of saltwater sprays is to wash pollen out of the nostrils. This can sometimes help to reduce the need for steroid nasal sprays.
For eye symptoms, i.e., red watery itchy eyes – use eye drops. Eye drops containing sodium cromoglycate – can stop the release of histamine from cells to stop the watering and provide relief from itchiness. They need to be used regularly in both eyes to prevent symptoms. Sometimes they can make the vision blurry when first put in the eye(s) but this will clear. Sodium cromoglycate eye drops can be used throughout the hayfever season if needed. All eye drops should be discarded one month after opening to reduce risk of infection.
The following table shows some common OTC hayfever products that can be bought from a pharmacy and their suitability for children. Some are also available in smaller pack sizes from a supermarket or convenience store.
For all medicines please make sure you read the information leaflet to make sure it is suitable for you and that you know how to use it correctly. If in any doubt, please speak to your local pharmacist – always mention any other medical conditions or if any medication being taken.
| Form | Type | Drug name | Some common brand names | OTC license restrictions, suitability for children |
| Tablets, capsules or liquid | Antihistamine | Acrivastine | Benadryl Allergy Relief® |
Capsules from age 12 years to 65 years |
| Cetirizine | Benadryl Allergy®, Piriteze Allergy®, Zirtek Allergy Relief® |
Syrup from 2 years (depending on brand), tablets from 12 years |
||
| Chlorphenamine | Piriton Allergy®, Pollenase® |
Syrup from 1 year, tablets from 6 years | ||
| Loratadine | Clarityn Allergy® | Syrup from 2 years, tablets from 6 years | ||
| Fexofenadine | Allevia® | Tablets from 12 years | ||
| Nasal sprays | Steroid | Beclometasone | Beconase Hayfever® | From 18 years |
| Budesonide | Benacort® | From 18 years | ||
| Fluticasone | Flixonase®, Pirinase®, | From 18 years | ||
| Mometasone | Clarinaze® | From 18 years | ||
| Triamcinolone | Nasacort Allergy® | From 18 years | ||
| Other | Saline | Sterima® products | Some can be used from birth | |
| Eye drops | Mast cell stabiliser | Sodium cromoglycate | Opticrom® allergy, Optrex Hayfever Relief®, Murine®, Allercrom® |
From 6 years |
| Decongestant and antihistamine | Xylometazoline and antazoline | Otrivine-Antistin® | From 12 years |
Frequently asked questions
My symptoms are not controlled
If your hayfever symptoms are not controlled after 2-4 weeks, you may need to try a different treatment or need to add in another treatment. Some trial and error may be required to find the best combination of tablet/nasal spray and eye drop for you.
How long do I need to take hayfever medication for?
If you are taking hayfever medication regularly and your hayfever is well controlled on your current treatment, continue this treatment until the end of the pollen season.
When should I seek further advice from my doctor’s surgery?
- If symptoms cannot be controlled with medications you have purchased or there are troublesome side-effects caused by the medication.
- Any wheezing or any shortness of breath or worsening of asthma.
- If your child is under 2 years old.
- If the pattern of your symptoms is unusual, such as occurring during the winter or only at your workplace. It is likely that a substance other than pollen is responsible and further testing may be required to confirm this.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Ear or nose and throat (ENT) service.
About this information
Service:
Ear, nose and throat (ENT)
Reference:
G/023
Approval date:
23 February 2026
Review date:
1 February 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.