Hay fever treatment, stronger than anything over the counter

What is hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to airborne particles — most commonly grass, tree or weed pollen, but also mould spores and, in year-round sufferers, house dust mites or animal dander. When these particles enter the nose and eyes, the immune system reacts as though they are a threat, triggering the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause the familiar symptoms: sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watering eyes, and an itchy palate or ears.

It affects around one in four people in the UK and tends to be worst between late March and September, though the timing varies depending on which pollens you react to. For many sufferers, poorly controlled hay fever significantly affects sleep, concentration, school or work performance, and general wellbeing — particularly during high-pollen periods.

When do you need prescription treatment?

Over-the-counter antihistamines are a reasonable first step, but they do not control nasal symptoms for many people as effectively as prescription options. The combination of a prescription-strength antihistamine and a steroid nasal spray is the approach recommended by clinical guidelines for moderate to severe hay fever — the antihistamine controls systemic symptoms while the nasal spray reduces local inflammation and congestion at the source.

If you have tried over-the-counter products and found them insufficient, or if your hay fever significantly affects your sleep or daily functioning, prescription treatment is the clinically recommended next step. Some people also benefit from prescription eye drops for eye symptoms that remain troublesome despite nasal and oral treatment.

How is hay fever treated?

The standard evidence-based approach for moderate to severe hay fever is antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray used together. Antihistamines — whether taken daily during the season or as needed — reduce sneezing, itching and eye symptoms. A steroid nasal spray, taken once daily, reduces inflammation in the nasal lining, improving congestion and runny nose over days of consistent use. Prescription versions of both are more potent than the over-the-counter equivalents.

Practical steps also help: checking pollen forecasts and limiting outdoor time on high-pollen days, wearing wraparound sunglasses, showering and changing clothes after being outdoors, and keeping windows closed during peak pollen times. These do not replace treatment but meaningfully reduce symptom burden.

Treating hay fever with NewGen

NewGen Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered community pharmacy on Stratford High Street, and our online clinic is run by the same registered team. Complete a short consultation, have a UK prescriber review your answers, and if prescription treatment is appropriate it is dispensed and delivered in plain packaging — or you can collect from our Stratford pharmacy. The prescriber will confirm the right combination of antihistamines and a steroid nasal spray based on your symptom pattern.

How the hay fever consultation works

The consultation asks about your symptoms, how long you have had hay fever, which treatments you have already tried, and whether your symptoms affect your sleep or daily life. It also checks for any health conditions or medicines that affect which treatment is most suitable, and asks about asthma — because hay fever and asthma often co-exist and treatment needs to account for both.

Most consultations are straightforward, and treatment is issued promptly. If you also have asthma, you can visit our asthma page to request a repeat inhaler prescription alongside your hay fever treatment.

When to see your GP instead

An online hay fever consultation is appropriate for adults with seasonal or year-round allergic rhinitis who have already tried over-the-counter antihistamines. See your GP if your symptoms are new and have not been assessed before, if you have significant asthma triggered by hay fever that is not well controlled, if you have nasal polyps or very blocked sinuses, or if you are considering allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation). If you have severe swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing, call 999 immediately.