Latest news with #Allevia
The Guardian
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
‘It got messy': the good, the bad and the sneezy of testing hay fever remedies
The best things in life are a … a … wait, it's coming … a … Achoo! Ew, sorry. Where was I? The best things in life are itchy and explosively sneezy. Picnics in freshly cut grass, walks in the woods, burying your face in the cat. Full of the joys of summer, and guaranteed to send your body's allergy responses wild. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. If you're in the 49% of British folk who suffer from seasonal hay fever, you probably envy me for being asked to test hay fever remedies for the Filter. Here was my chance to have all my symptoms blitzed by the best cures medical science and TikTok had to offer. Sadly, it didn't quite work like that. For starters, I had to give up my daily pill (second-generation antihistamine Allevia, which works fairly well) to test supposed alternatives (such as local honey, which did not work for me). I wanted to give each purported panacea a fair shot, so I had to go in with eyes streaming and nose a-blazing. It got messy. I would always rather be in the woods, as I insist on stating at the end of all my articles, and I wasn't about to let my break from Allevia put me off. Off I went each morning, my body's histamine system ready to leap into completely OTT defence against deadly threats such as, oh, the common hazel tree. Hazel, of course, is not deadly. My body's reaction to its pollen is like a chihuahua losing its furry little mind at the postman. Both overreactions are very real, very annoying and potentially physically debilitating. For one woodland walk, I wore a thick Hepa filter mask that I expected to be one of the most effective products in my test. I promptly sneezed into it. Long, soggy seconds passed as I untangled its Velcro fastenings from my hair and got the thing off my face so I could blow my nose. I won't be donating that one to charity. Perhaps good old (like, really old) first-generation antihistamines would be more effective? Diphenhydramine was developed in the 1940s to treat allergies and motion sickness, and today it's the active ingredient in Nytol. Down the hatch it went, and down went my mood and energy. The zombie afternoons didn't translate into well-slept nights. I'd wake up coughing, my throat dry from breathing through my mouth because my nose was inflamed (please do not try to picture this). Different anti-allergy drugs have different effects on different people, but Nytol won't be going on my shopping list again. Even the best remedies brought their own problems. My bedroom became a bombsite of nasal sprays, eye drops, eucalyptus patches, special bedding, highfalutin vacuum cleaners and assorted air purifiers. I'd raised an eyebrow at the idea of an air purifier (great, another magic gadget), but the MeacoClean proved a revelation, humming away quietly and helping to rid the air of allergens. It and HayMax barrier balm were the two products that made me wonder whether I should bother going back to Allevia. Well, I did – not least because an air purifier isn't much use in the woods. I really didn't want to put 'take a pill' at the top of my remedy league, and it's probably not what the honey influencers and stinging nettle advocates want you to hear. And hey, maybe they'll work for you. But for me, a second-generation antihistamine remains the least bad symptom suppressant of the lot. Achoo. Scared of shorts? Here are 53 perfect pairs for every occasion The best Apple Watches in 2025: what's worth buying and what's not, according to our expert M&S is back! Here are 12 of the season's best pieces to shop online The best pregnancy pillows for support and comfort, tested 'Great flavour, delicate tang': the best supermarket sourdough, tasted and rated by Thomasina Miers The best sunscreens for summer: Sali Hughes's 57 favourite face and body SPFs Heading to a festival this summer? Unlike camping-camping, festival camping requires extra thought. You won't have a car to ferry all your gear, you can't choose the weather, and you want to bring a bit of glamour to the party. So whether you're raving on a Spanish island or sheltering from the drizzle with the kids in Wales, you need our expert guide to what to bring – from toiletries to the best shoes, camping gear to blister plasters. Plus, the things you don't need to lug. Hannah BoothEditor, the Filter Planning some picnics in the park while the sun is shining? You might be surprised to know just how many high-quality drinks in tins are available these days – from watermelon margaritas to kombuchas and modern-day meads. And there's nothing like a can of Villa Maria sauvignon blanc to go with those posh crisps and olives. Our drinks expert Joanne Gould put 40 to the test. Has something you bought made you fitter or healthier? Maybe it's the budget resistance bands that have you working out every day, or a bento box that's inspired you to pack healthier lunches. Let us know by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Allergy tablets with thousands of 5-star reviews now have 36% off
The Allevia Allergy tablets have a 36% discount at Amazon, but the deal is only available for a limited time, with thousands of reviewers praising them for helping with hayever The sun is beaming, the barbecue is warming up, and it's time to savour the summer days in the great outdoors. However, for those plagued by hayfever, days spent amidst pollenating plants can be a less-than-pleasurable experience. Allergy tablets are an excellent solution to combat hayfever symptoms, aiding with bothersome sneezing, runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red, or watery eyes. They can be quite pricey, though, which is why it's wise to stock up on medication when it's on offer. Now shoppers can snap up 90 Allevia Allergy Tablets for £22.90 at Amazon, down 36% from the RRP of £35.54. The non-drowsy medication contains fexofenadine as the active ingredient, and the tablets start working in one hour and provide 24-hour relief. The Allevia tablets are suitable for adults and children aged 12 years and older. Plus, they're lactose free, gluten free and easy to swallow. The market is brimming with alternative hayfever medications, each with different active ingredients and price tags. For instance, you can pick up Boots' Hayfever and Allergy Relief 10mg Tablets at £5.39 for a pack of 30, designed to tackle symptoms from hayfever, pet allergies, skin reactions and dust allergy. These tablets boast Cetirizine Hydrochloride, an antihistamine, as their potent ingredient. Meanwhile, Waitrose offers Benadryl Allergy Relief Acrivastine for £5.17 per 12 tablets, which boasts rapid relief in just 15 minutes thanks to Acrivastine. However, it's important to note they contain lactose, which could be a no-go for some. However the Allevia tablets are garnering praise with a stellar 4.5 star rating on Amazon. One satisfied customer exclaimed: "Works perfectly for my son. Nothing else seemed to work before." Another happy shopper stated: "These are a must have for hayfever and allergies! I wouldn't buy anything else now and have recommended to so many people." A third content user declared: "Absolutely the best hayfever tablets I've ever used! Great price too." However, they didn't prove to be 100% effective for everyone. One individual shared: "I'm one of those unlucky people who have an array of symptoms - itchy, swollen eyelids, watery eyes, runny and itchy red nose, frequent sneezing fits, itchy skin all over my face and awfully itchy throat, so much so that it is debilitating and I want to stick a fork in there. These pills took away the throat issue, for which I am eternally grateful, but none of the other symptoms. However, none of the other leading brands helped me in any way for approx 30 years, so this is a win, nevertheless. Based on this, I would recommend it." Another user pointed out that despite being marketed as non-drowsy, they did experience some drowsiness, reports the Express.
