There are a number of different types of hayfever remedy including nasal sprays, tablets and eye drops. In this article we are going to tell you all about your options for coping with this hayfever season.

However before we start to give you advise about hayfever remedies I think it might be an idea to give some tips about how to avoid hayfever symptoms in the first place!

• Check the pollen forecast. This is normally shown on the weather report on TV but can easily be found online too. If the pollen levels are high then your hayfever symptoms are likely to be worse.
• Vacuum and damp dust. This helps you to remove all stray pollen from your house.
• Keep windows and doors closed. This stops the pollen from getting in in the first place.
• Smear Vaseline inside your nose. This is a simple trick to help you avoid getting the pollen onto the lining of your nose where it can trigger your symptoms.

Tablets

There are a number of Hayfever Tablets on the market which use a range of different antihistamine active ingredients. The results of using any of them should be similar with regards to dealing with you symptoms but can vary in the levels of drowsiness. What a lot of people do not realise is that the branded hayfever tablets are not the only way to use thes active ingredients. Most active ingredients are also available in generics tablets which contain the same strength of antihistamine and can be bought for a fraction of the price.

Here are the details for the 4 main branded types of Hayfever tablets.

• Zirtek.Active ingredient: Cetirizine dihydrochloride

Cetirizine is a second-generation anti-histamine, which is usually taken in a one-a-day tablet. There is no known difference between hydrochloride and dihydrochloride types.

• Clarityn.Active ingredient: Loratadine

Taken in the form of one-a-day tablet. Loratadine is a non-drowsy hayfever remedy.

• Benadryl.Active ingredient: Acrivastine
  

Acrivastine is a newer type anti-histamine, which has the benefit of being the fastest acting remedy available, usually taking effect within 15 minutes according to studies. This comes at a cost however, since it needs to be taken three times a day. There is no generic version of Benadryl.

• Piriton.Active ingredient: Chlorphenamine

Chlorophenamine is one of the older (first generation) remedies for hayfever. It is just as effective as the other hayfever remedies but is can take slightly longer to take effect and can cause drowsiness.

Hayfever Eye Drops

Antihistamine eye drops can be useful if eye symptoms are your biggest problem. Cromoglicate drops containing sodium cromoglicate should be used regularly to prevent the allergic reaction occurring.

Like with the tablets there are generic hayfever eye drops available to help you save money. The main brand of Sodium Cromoglicate Eye Drops is Opticrom. There are a whole range of different eye drops that are available that can help with hayfever and allergies.

Nasal Sprays

One of the most irritating hayfever symptoms is the blocked nose and stuffy sinuses. Nasal sprays are designed to help clear your nose and sinuses to help you breath normally. Some also protect against airborne allergens too.

There are two main brands of nasal spray that people tend to use for Hayfever Relief.

• Beconase. Active ingredient: Beclomethasone

Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray is a highly effective medication for treating and preventing airborne allergies such as hayfever, dust and pet allergy any time during the year. Unlike tablets Beconase Hayfever works right where the problem starts, in the nose. Beconase Hayfever has an anti-inflammatory action which quickly brings relief from allergy symptoms such as: sneezing, blocked nose, itchy nose, runny nose and eyes. Use regularly as it may take two or three days for Beconase Hayfever to build up to its maximum protective effect. Beconase Hayfever does not interact with other medicines or alcohol and does not cause drowsiness.

• Flixonase. Active ingredient:Fluticasone

Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray works to help relieve hayfever symptoms for up to 24 hours. Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray protects from all major airborne allergies including pollen (hayfever) pet hair dust mites mould spores. Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray has a direct action to relieve allergy and hayfever symptoms where they start. You can use it in advance to prevent symptoms if you know you are going to come into contact with anything that may trigger your allergy.

Drug-Free Hayfever Remedies

There are a number of drug-free hayfever remedies available which work in a variety of different ways including the following products:

• Sterimar

Sterimar Isotonic is a pure sea water spray that gently moisturises and clears dry, stuffy nasal passages.It will help relieve nasal congestion associated with sinusitis, blocked nose, colds, hayfever, allergies and post-operative nasal care. Approx 300 standard sprays. Its gentle micro diffusion spray is delivered through a shaped nozzle that fits any nose, even a baby. Stermar has no preservatives and is drug-free, which makes it naturally safe for the whole family, including babies and mothers during pregnancy. It can be used as often as required.

The salt content in Sterimar Hypertonic is higher than that naturally found in a human cell, and therefore is able to extract liquids from the mucous membrane by the process of osmosis. Additionally, Sterimar Hypertonic contains copper and manganese. These elements reinforce the solution with specific properties which help fight against infectious irritants, like pollen that causes hayfever, and helps the salt solution to get to work. This entire process is gentle, fast acting and harmless. Your stuffy nose should ease off and breathing will become clearer.

• HayMax Pollen Barrier

HayMax is a balm that is applied to the uderneath of the nose. It forms a barrier to stop pollen from getting into your nose and therefore stops the onset of hayfever syptoms. It is an organic product and has proven to be growing in popularity.

• Qu-Chi Hayfever Relief Band

The Qu-Chi Hayfever Relief Band works by using accupressure. It is worn on the arm and applies pressure to a specific point on the outside of the elbow. It is a widely used alternative to medicines for hayfever and has been shown to be a highly effective way of reducing your hayfever syptoms.