Natural antihistamines

Nasal lavage or saline nasal sprays reduce nasal congestion and flush away allergens in the nose. Some people love the cleansing action of nasal lavage. For others, the thought of it is simply not for them. They’re a good option if you’re looking for a drug-free remedy or if you’re pregnant.

Nasal barriers can be used to trap pollen around the nostril, minimizing or preventing pollens from going up the nose and provoking an immune response. You could apply Vaseline around the nostrils or Haymax hay fever balm. Drug-free nasal barrier sprays are inert powders or barriers that can be sprayed up the nose to prevent or minimize pollens from triggering hay fever symptoms and preventing the release of histamine. AllerBlock spray is one example.

Soothing the eyes can reduce eye symptoms - Optrex Sore eye drops can clean and soothe the eyes, and eyelid wipes can remove pollen from the eyes to prevent ongoing irritation.

Herbal, homeopathic, or traditional Chinese medicine may help. A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Tablets are homeopathic and treat symptoms associated with allergies to grass or tree pollen, dust, and pets.

Acupressure bands such as the Qu-Chi band are designed to apply pressure to the large intestine 11 (LI-11) acupoint on the elbow. Acupuncturists believe stimulation of this acupoint pulls energy away from the head, nose, face, and throat.

If you’re not getting on top of your symptoms, you can try medicated products targeted at each symptom or antihistamine tablets. If these don’t help or you’re unsure about your diagnosis, book an appointment with your doctor. They will assess your symptoms and what you’ve tried and work out the best solution for you.

You should see your doctor urgently if your asthma is worsened by an allergen or if you don’t have an asthma diagnosis but are wheezing, short of breath, or cough for more than three weeks.