Summer should be one of the best times of the year, with bank holidays galore and warm-weather picnics, but it has those with allergies reaching for the hay fever eye drops. But, for many of us, one of the best hay fever tablets a day does the trick, saving our eyes and noses as well as summertime.
Hay fever is extremely common with an estimated one in five people in England suffering from the irritating symptoms during the spring and summer months.
The best hay fever tablets at glance
• Best overall hay fever tablets: Clarityn Allergy Tablets - 1 Month Supply - View at Amazon
• Best budget hay fever tablets: Tesco Hayfever & Allergy 30 Tablets - View at Tesco
• Best hay fever tablets for itchy eyes: Boots Hayfever & Allergy Relief 10mg Tablets - View at Boots
• Best non-drowsy hay fever tablets: Benadryl Allergy One-a-Day Tablets - View at Amazon
You may wonder why you get hay fever. Hay fever happens when your immune system overreacts to things like pollen. Your immune system produces antibodies that bind to cells in your nose and eyes. When you encounter the allergen again, these cells release chemicals like histamine, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes. Hay fever symptoms are usually seasonal because they're triggered by specific allergens like tree or grass pollen. Some of these can be removed by portable air conditioners with allergen filters, too.
Your hay fever should not have to mean you pull out of plans or limit yourself every year, with the right hay fever and allergy relief for you, one simple tablet a day could be exactly what you need. You may also want to consider a hay fever nasal spray. Let's get into our picks for the best hay fever tablets for this year.
Best hay fever tablets of 2024
All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.
Best overall hayfever tablets
amazonDescription
Clarityn provides all-day 24-hour relief for hayfever and allergies and is non-drowsy in the majority of users. Clarityn allergy can get you back to feeling normal and free from allergy symptoms with a single daily dose. When your allergy season starts, take a Clarityn a day for powerful, all-day symptom relief.
Pros
- A trusted brand of a widely-used drug
- All-day relief from just one tablet
- Non-drowsy for most users
Cons
- Some users may still feel some drowsiness
Best budget hayfever tablets
www.tesco.com
Description
Recommended by pharmacists for effective non-drowsy relief, this budget-friendly option from Tesco is a real hit. At only £2.75 these one-a-day tablets work to relieve symptoms of hay fever and other allergies such as rash, itching and urticaria (hives).
Pros
- Brilliant value for a whole month of relief
- Tackles many symptoms, including rashes
- Loratadine is another widely used and well-regarded drug
Cons
- If you're travelling with these, the packaging is a bit flimsy
Best hayfever tablets for itchy eyes
Bootswww.boots.com
Description
For effective relief of seasonal and pet allergies, take one easy-to-swallow tablet daily. Cetirizine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, so you can take one of these and continue to tackle your day sneeze-free and itchy eye-free, full of much-needed energy.
Pros
- Non-drowsy for most users
- Easy to swallow
- Tablets can be easily broken in half for younger age groups
Cons
- Only 14 tablets per box
Best non-drowsy hayfever tablets
amazonDescription
Benadryl Allergy One a Day helps to provide relief from hay fever symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, itchy and runny nose and sneezing. Contains cetirizine, which at the recommended dose does not normally cause drowsiness.
Pros
- Long-lasting relief
- The drug is non-drowsy for most users, so is ideal for taking in the mornings
- Only need one a day to keep symptoms at bay
Cons
- Not the fastest-acting
Best bulk-buy hayfever tablets
amazonDescription
With over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it comes as no surprise that these hayfever relief tablets have made it onto our list of the best. Allacan provides fast and effective 24-hour relief in adults from the annoying symptoms of hay fever and indoor allergies. Easy to take, with just one tablet a day (half a tablet for children aged 6-12 years), this six-month supply will provide you hay fever relief all spring and summer.
Pros
- The best option out there in terms of value
- The tablets are and small and easy to take
- Ideal for those who just want to buy to cover themselves for the whole allergy season
Cons
- This drug lists drowsiness as a side effect
Best drowsy hayfever tablets
bootswww.boots.com
Description
Get relief from hayfever symptoms instantly with this option from high-street pharmacy Boots. Containing an active ingredient, Chlorphenamine Maleate, these tablets are best suited for night-time and at-home relief, as the ingredients are known as drowsy antihistamines. Get these antihistamine sleeping tablets if you find you suffer most in the night and guarantee yourself a good night's sleep.
Pros
- Perfect for when you can take them in the day for a sleepy evening
- A full month's supply in one box
- Tackles a wide range of allergies too
Cons
- Not the best for during the day
Best newly-developed hayfever tablets
Bootswww.boots.com
Description
The drug behind the Allevia brand was only developed relatively recently and many users say it's the fastest-acting tablet on the market. It does demand a high price, but with one tablet a day you can oust sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes faster and more thoroughly than ever. It's not recommended for children under 12, though.
Pros
- A new drug which many sufferers say is a godsend compared to others
- Starts to work within one hour for most users
- Suitable for young adults over 12
Cons
- Read the medical advice leaflet before taking as it may interact differently than other drugs
Best hayfever tablets for children over six
Sainsbury'swww.sainsburys.co.uk
Description
If it's one thing that a child hates almost as much as allergies it's swallowing tablets or yukky-tasting syrups. Thankfully this Piriteze Allergy and Hayfever Syrup is banana flavoured, so you can keep them topped up with hayfever medication every day. It's also based on cetirizine hydrochloride, one of the most widely used antihistamines out there. It may cause drowsiness though, so a bedtime dose is probably a good idea. As always, read the leaflet for the best advice.
Pros
- A common hayfever drug that can last a day on a single dose
- The banana flavouring makes administering it easier than ever
- The handy bottle is easy to use thanks to the included spoon
Cons
- The bottle is a little smaller than some others, so you may get through it faster
Best hayfever tablets for children over two
Bootswww.boots.com
Description
Younger children really suffer during hay fever season, partly because they don't understand why they're suffering. Thankfully this Benadryl solution is for children as young as two years of age, and being a syrup it's easier to swallow. It'll keep allergies of all kinds at bay and that means falling asleep is a lot easier come bedtime too. It's also sugar and colour-free.
Pros
- The active ingredient is widely used with young children
- The ideal solution for toddlers with allergies
- The syrup is easy to administer
Cons
- Some parents may not like the artificial sweetener used instead of sugar
Best hay fever tablets of 2024: Buyer's guide
What are antihistamines?
Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings
Choose the drug, not the brand
It is vitally important to remember that different tablets will work differently for everyone, so it really is right you find the perfect tablet relief for you. You'll have noticed that, behind the brand or commercial product name, many hay fever tablet share the same type of drugs. While they all come with information leaflets explaining the side-effects, it's important to read these and make a mental note of them before you take the prescribed dose. If you're overly drowsy for instance, you may suit a different drug better.
That being said, with its dazzling reviews the best tablets for hay fever relief would have to be the Allacan Cetirizine Hayfever Allergy Tablets.
Trusted by thousands nationwide to battle hay fever symptoms every year, these tablets are strong and non-drowsy so they let you carry on with your days as close to normal as possible with just one tablet daily.
Five ways to ease the sneeze
We listened to experts at LloydsPharmacy to pick up some top tips and super insightful information on how best to fight hay fever this summer:
LloydsPharmacy Pharmacist, Anshu Kaura, provides her five top tips to cope with hay fever symptoms this summer.
1. Be pollen aware
“If you have hay fever, your allergies will be worse when the pollen count is high, so plan ahead and stay indoors during peak pollen times if possible. On weeks when the pollen count is high or very high, it would also be advisable to avoid grassy areas, particularly in the early morning, evening or night, when the pollen count is highest."
2. Targeted treatments
“In terms of treatments, there is a range of solutions such as eye drops, nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets or syrups to treat symptoms. If you are looking for an alternative treatment, try using the LloydsPharmacy Allergy Reliever along with your usual allergy medicines. Your local pharmacist will be able to help advise you on the best treatments as most people require a multi-method approach for hay fever."
3. Avoid going out too early or too late
“The severity of hay fever symptoms will depend on the pollen count at the time, and there are many reasons why the pollen count fluctuates. The pollen count will fluctuate depending on the season, time of day, weather and atmosphere. During hay fever season, the pollen count will be at its highest early in the morning and late in the evening; this is due to pollen rising during the day with the hotter air, before falling as it cools down again in the evening."
4. Shut your windows and doors
“You should keep your windows closed when possible, even at night and when you’re driving in the car, as this will help you to avoid coming into contact with pollen. This is especially important in the early morning and evening when pollen is released. If you’re still experiencing symptoms indoors, a good air filter that can be used in the home could be a worthwhile investment."
5. Cover up
“If you frequently experience itchy and watery eyes, treatments that directly target the area may be most effective. It is also advisable to wear sunglasses on high pollen count days. Sunglasses which have a wraparound effect can be most beneficial to reduce pollen directly affecting the eye area. In addition, the masks we’ve all become accustomed to wearing during the pandemic can actually be beneficial for those of us who have allergy symptoms too, as well as potentially protecting against pollution."
Finding effective hay fever relief that works for you and your schedule can be difficult, especially if you're going through and trying the hundreds on offer.
Effective relief for you is out there, we just have to find it. Check out our top picks of the best hay fever tablets available to buy online right now, and get yourself one step closer to a sneeze-free summer this year.
Best hay fever tablets of 2024: FAQs:
What are the types of hay fever tablets?
Antihistamines are the medicines most commonly used to relieve allergy symptoms such as hay fever. There are many types of antihistamines, but they can be divided into two groups:
• Non-drowsy - non-drowsy antihistamines are less likely to make you feel sleepy – such as cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.
• Drowsy - antihistamines that make you feel sleepy, such as chlorphenamine (including Piriton), hydroxyzine and promethazine.
Read more information on antihistamines at NHS.uk.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Common symptoms of hay fever include:
• A runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, watery and red eyes
• Sneezing
• Worsening of asthma symptoms (wheezing and breathlessness)
• An itchy throat
What are the common side effects of hay fever tablets?
Side effects will differ from brand to brand and depend on the active ingredients featured in each tablet. There are however common symptoms of any antihistamine, these are:
• Feeling sleepy and tired
• Headaches
• Feeling nauseous and dizzy
• Sore throat
• Itching or a rash
• Feeling agitated
Always be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and read all information provided to avoid such symptoms.
Do hay fever tablets work?
Although there is no cure for hay fever, hay fever relief tablets will lessen the symptoms and provide relief to the user. According to LloydsPharmacy, these antihistamine tablets work by altering the way the body reacts to histamine, a chemical released by the body when it thinks it is being attacked by a harmful substance. It is histamine that causes the symptoms of hay fever, such as a runny nose and watery eyes.
Kyle Purves is a Commercial Content Writer for What’s The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They’re well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They’re also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.
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