HAY fever is on the rise, with Superdrug reporting a 20 per cent increase in medication sales.

And experts say this year’s pollen count is set to be worse than last year’s due to natural fluctuations.

With so many pills, sprays and elastic bands available to ease irritating symptoms, I tried three to see which work.

Non-drowsy pills

SUPERDRUG’S Hayfever Allergy and Relief Tablets contain Cetirizine Hydrochloride, a non-drowsy antihistamine designed to ease symptoms of hayfever and other allergies.

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Unlike other pills, these didn’t make me feel sluggish or drowsy and there was a noticeable improvement in runny nose and itchy eye symptoms.

Adults take one tablet a day, and children aged six to 12 can take half.

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The medication is not suitable for younger children.

According to the NHS, one in ten people may still feel sleepy after taking this drug and additional side-effects potentially include headaches, dry mouth, feeling sick, dizziness and diarrhoea.

I didn’t suffer any of these symptoms, but it’s worth being aware of.

• £5.79 for a pack of 30, .

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Elbow band

USING ancient Chinese principals of acupressure, Hay-Band is designed to stimulate a pressure point in the arm, a part of the body that has been used for centuries to treat hayfever symptoms naturally.

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A beige elastic band, it looks a bit like a bandage and you wear it around your elbow crease.

It’s a great option if you want something drug-free.

I didn’t suffer any side-effects using it and noticed improvements in my symptoms.

If yours aren’t waning, you can make adjustments to boost its effects.

You can use it all the time, even at night, though it is not recommended for pregnant women

• £13.09, .

Barrier balm

HayMax Pure Organic Drug-Free Allergen Barrier Balm is designed to trap allergens and pollen before it gets into the body by applying a balm to the rim of the nostrils and the bones around the eyes.

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Made of natural, organic substances, the award- winning product is one of the only treatments that is designed to treat the cause of hayfever, rather than the symptoms.

The idea is that less pollen should get into your body if you use it, thus reducing an itchy nose and runny eyes.

It’s suitable for everyone, even children and pregnant women.

In one survey by the charity, Allergy UK, 80 per cent of respondents reckoned it worked well, and I agreed.

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I did have to top it up every two to three hours, but one pot goes a long way. It’s not a complete cure but it definitely helped alleviate my itchy nose.

• £8.49, .