Pregnancy can leave you hot and bothered at the best of times, and you don’t want the added burden of hay fever symptoms. But lots of the products you’ve relied on before state they may not be safe in pregnancy. So how can you treat your symptoms? As practising GPs here at Healthwords, we’re used to weighing up risks and benefits – some products that are labelled as "unlicensed for pregnancy" may be an option after discussion with your doctor. Let’s arm you with the facts first, before you speak to your doctor. It’s also worth stating that hay fever, or allergic rhinitis (similar eye and nose symptoms to any allergen), is not known to cause any harm to you or your growing baby if left untreated. It’s for your comfort if you wish to pursue treatment for your symptoms.

Antihistamines are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions including allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medications that are used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines that are available to buy over-the-counter in the UK include: Piriton® (the active drug is chlorphenamine, Clarityn (the active drug is loratadine, Piriteze (where the active drug is cetirizine and Benadryl® allergy relief (the active drug is acrivastine. These are generally licensed for the treatment of hay fever, allergic reactions to pets, dust mites and food, insect bites, chickenpox rash and prickly heat rash. They are available as creams, tablets and oral liquid.

Piriton (which contains the medication chlorphenamine is a type of over-the-counter medicine known as a sedating antihistamine. It comes in both syrup and tablet form. It is known as sedating as it can cause side effects of drowsiness, and there are other antihistamines that are non-drowsy such as loratadine, cetirizine, acrivastine, and fexofenadine. It is used to relieve the symptoms of allergies in a wide range of allergic conditions, including hay fever, insect bites, pet allergies, food allergies, contact dermatitis, and atopic eczema. Piriton is useful in relieving symptoms of itching, sneezing, runny nose, skin rash, and red/itchy/watery eyes.

Antihistamine medication plays a crucial role in preventing the escalation of histamine levels within the body, effectively reducing allergy-related symptoms. However, it is essential to recognize that antihistamines may not provide relief if the rash stems from causes unrelated to allergies. These medications are widely available over-the-counter in the form of tablets, liquids, and creams. Understanding the underlying trigger for the rash is paramount in determining the most suitable treatment approach. Allergies often manifest as pruritic raised rashes resulting from reactions to various triggers such as food, pollen, viral infections, insect bites, or chemicals. This can be tested with a skin prick test, to see whether you have an allergy to certain groups.

Antihistamines are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms such as itching that this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions including allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia. Antihistamines that are available to buy over-the-counter in the UK include: Piriton® (the active drug is chlorphenamine, Clarityn (the active drug is loratadine, Piriteze (where the active drug is cetirizine and Benadryl® allergy relief (the active drug is acrivastine. These are generally licensed for the treatment of hay fever, allergic reactions to pets, dust mites and food, insect bites, chickenpox rash and prickly heat rash. They are available as creams, tablets and oral liquid.

You may be suffering from hay fever, or a reaction to another allergen leading to sneezing and streaming. There’s an array of antihistamine eye drops available, so let our resident pharmacist take you through where to start and how to choose between them. Another option is sodium cromoglicate a medication known for its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, although it is not an antihistamine. This is the most commonly used allergy eye drop formulation

Antihistamine drugs are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. Antihistamines can be used to treat a range of conditions from allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia to insect bites, allergic conjunctivitis and nausea. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medication used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines that are available to buy over-the-counter in the UK include: Piriton® (the active drug is chlorphenamine, Clarityn (the active drug is loratadine, Piriteze (where the active drug is cetirizine and Benadryl® allergy relief (the active drug is acrivastine. These are generally licensed for the treatment of hay fever, allergic reactions to pets, dust mites and food, insect bites, chickenpox rash and prickly heat rash. They’re available as creams, tablets and oral liquid.

If you’ve ever been caught off guard by an insect bite or sting, you know just how irritating the swelling, itching, and discomfort can be. Whether it’s a mosquito, bee, or wasp, these little nuisances can quickly ruin a good day outdoors. That’s where Anthisan Cream comes in. This topical treatment is a go-to for soothing the pain and itchiness caused by insect bites and stings. Its active ingredient targets the inflammation and irritation right where you need it, providing fast and effective relief. In this article, we’ll explore how Anthisan Cream works and how you can use it to get back to feeling your best.

Allegra is the brand name for an over-the-counter antihistamine called fexofenadine. It’s a medicine that prevents the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduces the symptoms this can cause. Rising histamine levels in the body are a common cause of the symptoms we associate with allergies, such as runny nose, itchy and red eyes and sneezing. Allegra is available in tablet form and is most commonly used to treat hay fever but can also be used in the treatment of urticaria, pet allergies, house dust mite allergy, insect bites and prickly heat rash.

Actifed Multi-Action Chesty Cough Liquid is a powerful behind-the-counter remedy designed to provide multi-therapy relief for various respiratory symptoms. This comprehensive solution effectively targets chesty coughs while addressing accompanying issues such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and catarrh. By combining three key ingredients, Actifed Multi-Action Chesty Cough Liquid offers a holistic approach to alleviating symptoms and promoting recovery.

Acrivastine is a type of over-the-counter medicine known as a non-drowsy antihistamine. It is used to relieve the symptoms of allergies in a wide range of allergic conditions, including hay fever, dust allergies, insect bites, contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, and pet allergies. Acrivastine is useful for relieving itching, sneezing, runny nose, skin rash, and red, itchy, or watery eyes. It is suitable for adults aged under 65 and children aged 12 and over and is available as a capsule. Benadryl Allergy Relief is a branded version of acrivastine. Even though acrivastine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, it can still cause drowsiness in some people. If you experience drowsiness, it is best to avoid driving or drinking alcohol.

Steroids here refer to corticosteroids, a type of hormone in the body that reduces inflammation. These nasal sprays are used for the relief of symptoms of hay fever and other airborne allergies such as animal and dust allergies. They help with sneezing, congestion, an itchy or runny nose, sinus discomfort, and red, itchy, or watery eyes. The majority of these easy to use nasal sprays are available over the counter, with some slightly stronger nasal sprays only available on prescription.