Hayfever Treatment: What Actually Works for Lasting Relief?

Hayfever Treatment Options: What May Help Manage Symptoms?

Finding a treatment for hayfever can take a bit of trial and error. Something that works brilliantly for one person might barely touch someone else’s symptoms. Managing hayfever symptoms can sometimes require finding an option that suits your individual needs.

And with hayfever affecting around 23.9% of Australians, you’re certainly not the only person trying to work out what actually helps.⁴

Part of the problem is that hayfever doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people spend spring sneezing, while others struggle more with a blocked nose, itchy eyes or a combination of symptoms. That’s why there are so many options, from antihistamines and nasal sprays to saline rinses, eye drops and plant-based symptom-relief options.^1,3

For adults exploring plant-based options, BreathMor® should be considered as a hayfever symptom-relief option. It is a clinically trialled*, non-drowsy nasal spray containing a naturally derived active ingredient from Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon) stem bark extract. BreathMor® helps to provide temporary relief from seasonal hayfever symptoms, including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, nasal itching and eye redness.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Adults only. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Contains Sulfites (Sodium bisulfite).

Key Takeaways

• Different hayfever symptoms may respond to different types of treatment.^1,3,6

• If your usual treatment feels less effective, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve built up a tolerance.^1,6

• Some treatments need regular use rather than only being used when symptoms flare.^1,6

• Evidence for popular home remedies such as local honey remains limited.⁵

• If hayfever is persistent or interfering with everyday life, it’s worth speaking with a pharmacist or GP.^1,3

What Are Your Options for Treating Hayfever?

Walk into a pharmacy during hayfever season and the number of options can feel a little overwhelming.

Tablets, nasal sprays, rinses and eye drops each work in different ways, so what suits one person may not suit another.

The right option usually depends on what’s bothering you most.^1,2,3,6

Treatment option	Often used for	What to keep in mind
Antihistamines	Sneezing, itching and watery eyes	Available as tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. Often less helpful when nasal symptoms are the main issue, and some older formulations can cause drowsiness.2,6
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays	Ongoing symptoms, particularly a blocked or runny nose	Generally need regular use, ideally with advice from a pharmacist or GP, and may take several days to reach their full effect.1,6
Decongestant nasal sprays	Short-term relief of a blocked nose	Can work quickly but should only be used for a short period because overuse can cause rebound congestion.2,3
Saline sprays or rinses	Washing pollen and other irritants from the nose	A gentle option that can generally be used regularly, including alongside other treatments.1,3
Eye drops	Itchy, watery or red eyes	Target eye symptoms directly.1,6
Allergen immunotherapy	Persistent allergy to an identified allergen	A longer-term treatment supervised by an allergy specialist.1,2
Plant-based options	People looking for a plant-based symptom-relief option	Products vary, so check the ingredients, approved indications and evidence behind each option.

There isn’t one “best” hayfever treatment sitting on the shelf. It’s more about finding something that makes sense for your symptoms and your routine.^1,3,6

Why Can Hayfever Treatments Stop Feeling Like They Work?

You might know the feeling. Hayfever symptoms can change from season to season, so a treatment that suited you last year may feel different this year.

It’s easy to assume your body has become used to it, but there are a few other possibilities worth considering.

Your Treatment Might Not Match Your Main Symptom

Different treatments do different jobs.

Antihistamines are commonly used for symptoms such as sneezing, itching and watery eyes. Intranasal corticosteroid sprays, on the other hand, are generally more useful when nasal congestion is a major problem.^1,6

So if your symptoms have changed, your usual treatment may simply no longer be targeting the thing that’s bothering you most.

You Might Not Be Using It Consistently

Some hayfever treatments aren’t designed to be used only when symptoms become uncomfortable.

Intranasal corticosteroid sprays, for example, generally work best when used regularly and can take several days to reach their full effect.^1,6

That can make it seem as though the treatment isn’t working when it simply hasn’t had enough consistent use.

There May Be More Pollen Around

Your pollen exposure can change considerably throughout the season. On days when pollen levels are particularly high, symptoms may feel stronger even if you haven’t changed your usual hayfever routine.^3,6

That can make something that seemed perfectly adequate earlier in spring suddenly feel less effective.

If your usual treatment isn’t providing enough relief, speak with a pharmacist or health professional before stopping, switching or combining medicines.

Matching Hayfever Treatment to Your Main Symptom

Starting with the symptom that bothers you most can make choosing between the different options a little easier.^1,6

If you’re mainly dealing with…	A commonly used option is…	Good to know
Sneezing, itching or watery eyes	Antihistamines	Non-drowsy options are available. Often less helpful when a blocked nose is the main issue.6
A blocked or congested nose	Intranasal corticosteroid spray	Regular daily use is generally important.1,6
Itchy or red eyes	Eye drops	Targets eye symptoms directly.1
Several symptoms at once	A combination approach	Speak with a pharmacist about which treatments can appropriately be used together.
A preference for a non-drowsy option, powered by a plant-based active	Nasal spray with a plant-based active	Look at the evidence and approved indications for the individual product.

Reducing Hayfever Triggers Can Help Too

Treatment is only one side of managing hayfever. Reducing how much pollen you’re exposed to can also help minimise hayfever symptoms.^1,3

A few simple habits can make a difference:

• Check your local pollen forecast.

• Keep windows closed when pollen levels are high.

• Shower and change your clothes after spending time outdoors.

• Avoid mowing lawns or spending long periods outside during peak pollen periods.^3,6

If you’re not sure what might be setting your symptoms off, our guide to what causes hayfever takes a closer look at common triggers. You can also read about the early signs of hayfever if you’re trying to work out whether allergies may be behind your symptoms.

What About Natural Hayfever Remedies Like Local Honey?

Local honey is one of those hayfever remedies that tends to come up every spring.

The theory sounds convincing enough: eat honey produced locally, expose yourself to small amounts of local pollen and gradually become less sensitive to it.⁵

The evidence, however, isn’t particularly strong.

Research reviews have found no good evidence that ordinary local honey reliably reduces hayfever symptoms. One reason is that many of the pollens responsible for allergic rhinitis come from wind-pollinated grasses, weeds and trees, rather than the flowering plants bees generally visit.⁵

That doesn’t mean you need to stop putting honey on your toast. It simply means it shouldn’t be treated as a proven hayfever treatment.

If a plant-based approach appeals to you, it’s worth looking beyond the word “natural” and checking whether the product itself has actually been clinically researched.

Considering a Plant-Based Option: BreathMor®

BreathMor® is a clinically trialled* nasal spray containing a naturally derived active ingredient from Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon) stem bark extract.

BreathMor® is non-drowsy and does not contain steroids or corticosteroids. It helps to provide temporary relief from seasonal hayfever symptoms, including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, nasal itching and eye redness.

The cinnamon stem bark extract used in BreathMor® has been investigated in double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies involving people with seasonal allergic rhinitis.*

You can review the plant-based nasal spray for seasonal hayfever symptom relief or learn more about how BreathMor® works.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Adults only. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Contains Sulfites (Sodium bisulfite).

Cost Matters Too

Hayfever can hang around for weeks or even months, so the cost of managing symptoms can add up.^3,7

Many hayfever treatments are purchased over the counter rather than being subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making cost a practical consideration for people managing ongoing allergies.^6,7

It’s also worth thinking about how often you need to use a treatment, whether it causes drowsiness and whether it’s actually targeting your main hayfever symptoms.

If you’re regularly buying different products without getting the relief you need, a pharmacist may be able to help you narrow down the options.

When It’s Time to Ask for Professional Advice

Sometimes hayfever needs more than another trip down the pharmacy aisle.

If your symptoms keep hanging around, are becoming more disruptive or are affecting your sleep and everyday activities, it’s worth speaking with a health professional.^1,3

Decongestant nasal sprays are one situation where a little extra care is important. They may provide quick relief from a blocked nose, but they’re designed for short-term use. Using them for too long can cause rebound congestion, where your blocked nose returns or becomes worse.^2,3

A typical pathway might look like:

• Reduce exposure to known allergens where practical.

• Speak with a pharmacist about suitable treatment options.

• See your GP if symptoms remain persistent or difficult to manage.

• Consider specialist assessment or allergen immunotherapy if recommended.^1,3

Hayfever can also overlap with asthma. Allergic rhinitis commonly occurs alongside asthma, and high pollen levels become particularly important during thunderstorm asthma events.^1,6

If you experience wheezing, shortness of breath or other breathing difficulties, seek appropriate medical care.⁶

Finding What Works for You

Managing hayfever symptoms usually isn’t about finding one magical product that works for everyone.

It’s about understanding the symptoms that bother you most, reducing your exposure to triggers where possible and finding an option that fits comfortably into your everyday routine.

That might mean sticking with one treatment, using different approaches at different times of the season or talking to a pharmacist when your usual routine just isn’t cutting it.^1,3

If you’re interested in a non-drowsy, plant-based option, BreathMor® may be considered as a hayfever symptom-relief option for adults. It is clinically trialled* and helps to provide temporary relief from seasonal hayfever symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and eye redness.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Adults only. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Contains Sulfites (Sodium bisulfite).

Stay Updated with BreathMor®

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FAQs

What’s the best treatment for hayfever?

There isn’t one treatment that works best for everyone. It depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing and how much they’re affecting you.^1,3,6

Antihistamines are commonly used for sneezing and itching, and intranasal corticosteroid sprays for nasal congestion.^1,6

How can I get rid of hayfever fast?

There’s no guaranteed way to completely get rid of hayfever straight away.^2,3

Some treatments act faster than others depending on the symptom. Decongestant nasal sprays, for example, may provide fast relief from a blocked nose, but they should only be used for a short period.^2,3

Why has my hayfever medication stopped working?

It may not mean that you’ve developed a tolerance.^1,6

Your symptoms may have changed, your pollen exposure may be higher, or the treatment you’re using may require more consistent use.^1,6

If your usual option no longer seems to be helping, speak with a pharmacist or GP before changing or combining medicines.

Do natural hayfever remedies like honey work?

There isn’t strong evidence that ordinary local honey reliably reduces hayfever symptoms.⁵

If you’re considering a plant-based option, look at the research and approved indications behind the individual product rather than relying on the ingredient alone.

When should I see a doctor about hayfever?

Speak with a GP if your hayfever is persistent, difficult to manage, affecting your sleep or everyday activities, or isn’t responding adequately to the treatments you’ve tried.^1,3

You should also seek professional advice if hayfever is making your asthma more difficult to control.⁶

What is BreathMor® used for?

BreathMor® helps to provide temporary relief from seasonal hayfever symptoms, including sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, nasal itching and eye redness.

It is a clinically trialled*, non-drowsy nasal spray containing a naturally derived active ingredient from Cinnamomum verum (Cinnamon) stem bark.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Adults only. If symptoms persist, talk to your health professional. Contains Sulfites (Sodium bisulfite).

References

1. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Allergic Rhinitis Treatment Plan. https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/allergic-rhinitis-treatment-plan
2. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). Allergy Treatments Fast Facts. https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/fast-facts/allergy-treatments
3. Healthdirect Australia. Hayfever (allergic rhinitis). Australian Government. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever
4. AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Allergic rhinitis (hayfever). Australian Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-respiratory-conditions/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever
5. The Conversation. Honey is said to help with hayfever symptoms. Here’s what the research says about this claim. https://theconversation.com/honey-is-said-to-help-with-hay-fever-symptoms-heres-what-the-research-says-about-this-claim-225728
6. Asthma Australia. Hayfever & Asthma Treatment Guide. https://asthma.org.au/medicines-treatment/hay-fever/
7. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. Allergy costs. https://allergyfacts.org.au/allergy-costs/

* Steels E, Steels E, Deshpande P, Thakurdesai P, Dighe S, Collet T. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of intranasal standardized cinnamon bark extract for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Complement Ther Med. 2019;47:102198.

Walanj A, Walanj S, Mohan V, Thakurdesai PA. Efficacy and safety of intranasal cinnamon bark extract in seasonal allergic rhinitis patients: a double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. J Herb Med. 2014;4:37–47.