THE DRUGS DO WORK

When push comes to shove, experts say antihistamines are still the best and most effective way to tackle the worst of your hay fever symptoms.

But the reason many people don’t have much luck with them is because they take the wrong ones or don’t use them properly, claims consultant allergist Dr Adrian Morris, founder of the Surrey Allergy Clinic in Guildford.

Dr Morris says cetirizine is the tried and tested antihistamine of choice, having been extensively trialled and found to be safe for both adults and children to use over long periods. He said: “It works by stopping the production of histamine, which is released when the body detects something harmfularmful — in this case,se, pollen. “It’ss this releasease of histaminene which causes hay fever symptoms.

“Cetirizinene works for up to 24 hours and is much less sedating than older antihistamines – such as chlorphenamine (found in Piriton) – so won’t make you drowsy, which is one of people’s biggest bugbears when it comes to anti-hay fever medication.” (Try: Boots Pharmaceuticals Hay fever & Allergy Relief 10mg, £3.99.) Dr Morris warns patients with hay fever to take their antihistamines every day during hay fever season, not just when they experience symptoms, which many sufferers do. This common mistake means they end up getting caught out with sudden, breakthrough symptoms and wrongly conclude that the drugs are not working. “By taking antihistamines daily, you build up an ongoing tolerance throughout the season,” Dr Morris said. “Plus, it’s also a googood idea to start taking them a few weekweeks before the main hay fever seasoseason actually starts – in other words, nownow,” he added.