The active ingredient in these tends to be sodium cromoglicate, which inhibits the release of histamine. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe red, inflamed eyes. During hay fever season, many stores put common remedies on offer - so look out for these and don't buy branded products full price.

Most hay fever tablets are pretty tiny, though you can get oral antihistamines in liquid formats too if you struggle with swallowing pills (or for children). Hay fever can be treated in 4 main ways, depending on what you are allergic to and how severe your symptoms are:

When should I see a GP?

Govind explains: 'The main difference may be the 'excipients' - the added things that make the tablet taste how it does or how the ingredients bind together but the active ingredients are the same and they work in the same way.' Where to find the cheapest hay fever medicine Immunotherapy, often referred to as desensitisation, is a unique treatment for allergic diseases. It is a well-established treatment reserved for certain severe allergies such as when someone has had a serious allergic reaction to wasp or bee venom or severe allergic rhinitis that has not been previously controlled by any of the anti-allergy medication tried. Some people shouldn’t use cetirizine hydrochloride medicines, including those who have an intolerance to or can’t absorb some sugars such as lactose or sorbitol and people who have an allergy to food additives E218 or E216. Non-drowsy antihistamines that are less likely to make you feel sleepy, such as acrivastine, cetirizine, fexofenadine and loratadine.

Keep your windows closed at home and in the car, and use recirculating air conditioning in the car. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, also known as ‘desensitisation’, is a therapy designed to reduce the intensity of the body’s reaction to an allergen. Immunotherapy works by gradually exposing someone to increasing doses of allergen extracts, either by injection or orally. This is a long-term treatment option and should only be started by a medical specialist such as a clinical immunologist. What are the complications of hay fever? For more detailed information about hay fever and for more useful tips on management and treatment, please find further useful resources above. Allergic eye disease Keep pets out of the bedroom. Pet hair can be a carrier of airborne allergens such as pollen so don’t let your pets sleep on your bed or even in your bedroom. Pets can bring pollen in on their fur after they’ve been outside, too, so give them a wash down as well, especially if your hay fever is particularly severe. Buying a vacuum cleaner that makes light work of pet hairs is also a good optionGeneric medicines in the UK must comply with exactly the same standards of quality, safety and efficacy as all medicinal products, so there's no difference in the main action of branded and generic versions of the same medicine.

Most people are able to manage or relieve hay fever on their own. However, you should speak with your doctor about treatment options if your symptoms are: Don’t hang washing outside. As pollen wafts around, it can fall onto your washing then when you take it off the line and inside you'll be bringing the pollen in with you.Intranasal corticosteroids: These are nasal sprays that effectively reduce inflammation in the lining of the nose caused by hay fever or other conditions. Corticosteroid nasal sprays must be used regularly and correctly to be effective. Different brands are available, so ask your doctor which one is right for you. Ask you pharmacist on how to use your nasal spray, to be sure you are using it correctly.

Hay fever symptoms can appear throughout the year. Outdoor allergies are worse in the spring, summer and early fall depending on where you live. In warm weather, weeds and flowers bloom, and pollen counts are higher. Indoor allergies, such as those from pets and dust mites, can get worse in winter because people spend more time indoors with their windows closed. Untreated hay fever may also increase the risk of developing asthma or make asthma harder to control, so it’s especially important to treat your nasal symptoms if you have asthma. This is because asthma and hay fever are both associated with airway inflammation. About 4 in every 5 people with asthma also have hay fever. Resources and support Some retailers offer bundles, too, which can include three months' supply of antihistamines, a nasal spray and eye drops, which reduces the overall price considerably. ...but only buy what you need You might only experience some of these symptoms, and still have hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Some of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases too. Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if you’re going to drive. DecongestantsIf you find your hay fever symptoms can't be managed with over the counter products, it's best to talk to your pharmacist or see your GP. Find out more with the NHS hay fever guide .