Generic 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.

They also come in several different forms – including tablets, capsules, liquids, syrups, creams, lotions, gels, eyedrops and nasal sprays. Non-drowsy antihistamines are generally the best option, as they’re less likely to make you feel sleepy. But types that make you feel sleepy may be better if your symptoms stop you sleeping. Their side effects are generally well tolerated. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the following medicines: You can buy “drowsy” antihistamines without a prescription, too. Chlorphenamine maleate is the active ingredient in Piriton Syrup, which is one of the few hay fever treatments suitable for young children.

Soothe your skin

Hay fever is caused when the body makes allergic antibodies (IgE) to certain substances, such as pollen, house dust mites or mould, which are known as allergens. Taking too many allergy tests may sometimes cause confusion, and cause you unnecessary lifestyle changes to avoid many types of allergens that may not actually be causing your symptoms. Speak with your doctor about what the results of your allergy test mean, and whether you need to make changes to your lifestyle. Shower and change your clothes when you get home. When you close your front door you may think you’re shutting pollen out but you could still be bringing it in on your hair and clothing. Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal congestion and irritation of your nose, throat, mouth and eyes. Allergic rhinitis isn’t the same as infectious rhinitis, otherwise known as the common cold. Hay fever isn’t contagious. Also, not all rhinitis is allergic. Many people suffer from nonallergic rhinitis resulting in similar symptoms. Inflammation causes rhinitis, not allergens or histamine release. What triggers allergic rhinitis? These medications relieve congestion in your nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth (in pill or liquid form) or use a nasal spray. They include:

Allergy testing can help to identify potential triggers for hay fever, but should be considered together with your history and other symptoms. Several allergy medications can improve symptoms and help you live with hay fever. These treatments come in many forms, including liquids, pills, eye drops, nasal sprays and injections. Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if you’re pregnant or have other health concerns. Antihistamines For some people, saltwater nasal sprays or douches (a stream of water sprayed into the nose) will provide substantial relief from hay fever. These non-medicated approaches are safe and can often help relieve symptoms. Medicines Hay fever is common — it affects 1 in 5 people in Australia. Despite its name, it’s not caused by hay and doesn’t cause a fever. What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Hay fever wrecking your summer? We recommend the best hay fever treatments for adults and children to keep those sneezes under control

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: The two most common ones you'll see on the shelf are generally well-tolerated with minimal side-effects. They are: Your doctor can diagnose hay fever from a description of your symptoms and when they occur. They may also ask what over-the-counter or prescribed medicines you already take for hay fever. It’s also a good idea to record and tell your doctor about any triggers you have noticed in your work or home environment, and how hay fever affects your quality of life. Physical examination If your trigger is grass, avoid mowing, playing or walking in grassy areas and don't go camping on grass. As well as medicines and remedies, there are lifestyle and environment changes you can make to relieve hay fever symptoms, particularly when the pollen count is high:

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. Monitor pollen forecasts daily and stay indoors wherever possible when the count is high (generally on warmer, dry days). Rain washes pollen from the air so counts should be lower on cooler, wet days Any allergy testing needs to be considered alongside your history and symptoms of hay fever. A positive test result doesn’t actually prove that the allergen is causing your symptoms, only that your body is sensitive to the allergen. 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). Medication is only advised if you have hay fever symptoms (rather than taking them preventatively) and instead, treatment should start with using sodium chloride nasal sprays or nasal irrigation followed by eye drops such as sodium cromoglicate eye drops or intranasal corticosteroid sprays.Some eye drops don't contain antihistamines, but instead ingredients intended to soothe and lubricate the eyes, such as witch hazel and glycerin. Pollen food syndrome, commonly referred to as oral allergy syndrome, is a hypersensitivity reaction to fruits, vegetables and nuts (often referred to as plant based foods) usually causing mild irritant symptoms such as itching of the mouth, lips and throat itching when eaten in their raw form. The most common presentation of pollen food syndrome is to foods that cross react with birch pollen. This is because a variety of plant food allergens have a similar protein structure to birch pollen. Antihistamines, hay fever tablets, that make you feel sleepy, such as chlorphenamine (Piriton), cinnarizine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine and promethazine. 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. Keep windows closed in the evening. Pollen can make its way inside through open windows and vents. Keeping windows closed, particular at times when the pollen count is high - first thing in the morning and during the evening - can help. Using an air purifier may also help.