The best anti-histamines for hayfever and relieving itchy insect bites, according to a pharmacist

While summer heralds longer days, sunshine and an overall relaxing atmosphere, it can also bring a whole host of unique illnesses. Two of the most common summer ailments we experience here in Ireland include hayfever and insect bites.

Here, Oonagh O’Hagan, pharmacist and managing director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, explains the best way to treat them.

Perhaps the most common summer ailment, hayfever is a serious hindrance to people who want to get out and enjoy the sun.

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“Over-the-counter remedies are your number one line of defence, there’s a lot of different options on the market. There are drowsy and non-drowsy kinds,” Oonagh says. “Telfast came off prescription a couple of years ago and it’s probably the most effective, as it lasts for 24 hours.”

Parents will be glad to hear you can get a liquid antihistamine for children aged two years of age and older, to help with the unpleasant symptoms that can be distressing for small children. For people who experience runny noses due to hayfever, you can get steroid nasal sprays which are very effective. “Nasacort is the most effective because it lasts for 24 hours, but you can get others that last for 12 hours like Beconase or Flixanase.”

People who feel very bunged up can use a decongestant like Otrivine. “It comes in a nasal drop or nasal spray form. They also come in metered doses, meaning it just squirts out exactly what you need,” adds Oonagh.

She also warns that people should be careful when using decongestant nasal sprays, because if you use them for any longer than five days, you can get rebound congestion and symptoms will actually get worse. “They have to be used short-term,” says Oonagh. “Watery eyes are another common symptom of hayfever. A localised eye drop can really help relieve any soreness, itchiness or streaming. Opticrom and Otrivine Antistin are good options. They stop any allergic reaction in the eyes by increasing your tolerance to the allergens.”

The key thing is to take note of what your hayfever symptoms are and use the correct medicine to combat them. If you just experience streaming eyes, use the eye drops, if your nose is blocked, use a decongestant, if your symptoms are varied, use an antihistamine tablet.

Insect bites

Antihistamines are also useful in treating bites as they can take down the inflammation and ease itching. “There’s an antihistamine called Piriton, it is very good for bites but it can cause drowsiness, so people who need to drive, operate machinery or go to work need to be careful,” Oonagh continues.

“We would only recommend it if their bites were causing a lot of discomfort, or their hayfever symptoms are disrupting their sleep, for example if there was a post nasal drip.”

There are also antihistamine creams like Anthisan or Eurax, which will help relieve insect bites and rashes. “Even a very mild one percent hydrocortisone cream can help, but it cannot be used on broken skin. Only a pea sized amount is required, twice a day for five days. It needs to be used carefully as overuse of steroids can thin the skin.”

In terms of tick bites, Oonagh says a cautious approach is needed. “There are devices you can buy that can remove ticks from the skin, but I would worry that the tick would get caught or not all of the tick would be removed,” she warns. “I wouldn’t advocate for these devices to be used. If people are concerned about a tick bite, they should go to a doctor to have it removed.”

Those who go hiking or enter long grasses should check themselves thoroughly for ticks, and should wear long clothing to prevent ticks from getting on their skin.

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