HAY fever season has well and truly started.

If you’ve not managed to find a remedy for your allergy yet, perhaps you’re using it wrong.

Antihistamines are used by the large majority of the 10 million people with hay fever in England.

The tiny pills – of which one can be taken per day – relieve everything from a blocked nose to itchy eyes. 

Duncan Reid, Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, said there is a particular time of day that is most effective for taking a tablet.

He said: “For most people hay fever symptoms are worse in the morning as this is when the pollen count tends to be higher. 

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“Many people therefore find it best to take their once-daily antihistamines in the evening which will allow it to be circulating in your bloodstream when you wake up.”

However, this won’t be the best option for everyone, Duncan said. 

“Antihistamines can also work to reduce hay fever symptoms if you take them after they appear and so the timings at which you take them is down to personal choice.”

He added that people don’t need to be already struggling to take an antihistamine.

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They can work as a preventative, rather than a treatment for when you get bogged down with hay fever symptoms.

Duncan said: “The most important thing is to take them regularly during the hay fever season to prevent symptoms – you don’t need to wait until you’re suffering. 

“If you are ever unsure about when or how to take antihistamines you can always discuss what will work best for you with a pharmacist.”

Antihistamines work by reducing the effects of histamines in the body.

Histamines are produced when the body is exposed to something it believes is harmful (pollen, in the case of hay fever).

In people allergic, this immune response is excessive, and symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing come on fast. 

One-a-day

It comes after a pharmacist cleared up whether you can take more than one antihistamine per day.

If you’re plagued by hay fever, you would have undoubtedly wondered, “what’s the worst that could happen?”

Pharmacy2U Superintendent Pharmacist, Phil Day, said: “If you're a healthy adult and take more than the daily recommended dose, you probably won't experience many negative side effects.

“However, larger overdoses can be a lot more serious, especially in children.  

“If you think you have taken too many antihistamines, it's best to seek professional medical help, as overdose symptoms can take a while to kick in.

“You should always check the label of your medication to ensure you are taking the correct dosage.”

The type of antihistamine you take also makes a difference.

Allergist Dr Sophie Farooque gave some hay fever tips on Twitter and said: “First generation antihistamines are outdated, less effective, slow reaction times & for many can be sedating.

“The most widely used 1st generation AHx in the UK is Chlorpheniramine – it came on the market 70 years ago!”

Chlorpheniramine is sold under brand names Piriton, Allerief and Hayleve, and its main side effect is drowsiness, which may be suitable for those who take their hay fever tablet at night.

Second generation antihistamines include cetirizine (Piriteze, Allacan and more) fexofenadine (Almerg, Telfast, Treathay) and loratadine (Clarityn), Dr Farooque said. 

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She said they ‘are much better’ and she ‘often recommends Cetirizine – it acts fast, lasts long & is inexpensive’.

Acrivastine [Benadryl] provides ‘rapid relief’ but wears off quickly, so specialists tend not to suggest it, Dr Farooque added.

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