Strongest OTC allergy relief?

LolitaLove

I woke up today with the sniffles, and as the day went on, I've been sneezing 30 times a minute, runny nose, can't see eyes are so blurry, I was even struggling to breathe at one pont as I got so wheezy. I have no idea why but assume it is an allergy, as I don't feel unwell.
I took a clarityn and some nasal spray which had absolutely no effect whatsoever. I had to ring in sick the symptoms are so bad. I tried to get into the docs but they are fully booked, today and tommorow, and will see medical emergencies only
I can't afford to miss another day so anyone know what the strongest allergy relief available over the counter is? Symptoms are:
Runny nose
Very persistent sneezing
Very watery eyes
Tight chest, wheezing
Cough
Headache

Thanks

I thought it was clarityn that I'd taken but it was actually cetirizine, and gave me no relief at all

ellay864

Go to your local pharmacist. They can usually give pretty good advice on things like that, and you'll be able to buy things from them that you can't buy on general sales in a supermarket.
I often use my pharmacist as substitute for my doctor as I can at least see them on the day I want!

saverholic

ellay864 wrote: »

Go to your local pharmacist. They can usually give pretty good advice on things like that, and you'll be able to buy things from them that you can't buy on general sales in a supermarket.

Agreed

Speak to the pharmacist and they'll be able to recommend something to try. Its not always about 'strongest' either, sometimes you find that some things just don't work for you

I find Claritin (or loratidine to give it is generic name) completely and utterly useless. Sugar pills might be more effective :rotfl: Cetirizine on the other hand I get some relief with. They stand side by side on the shelf and can't imagine that one is considered 'stronger' than the other.


If you have never had hayfever before it might be worth thinking about if anything has changed recently that might be causing it. New cleaning products/air freshners at work for example. It can be small innocuous things that catch you out.

adelight

local pharmacy or nhs walk-in. it's always good to know where your local nhs walk-in centre is as they are so useful when you can't get an appointment or have something crazy happen like your sudden allergies. i had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago and tbh i just went to work and after a few days it all calmed down