Hay fever is often seen as a trivial ailment but this annoying and sometimes distressing complaint now affects about 15 to 20% of the population in the UK. With spring on the way, hay fever sufferers need to review their options for treatment. Conventional medications such as antihistamines and topical steroids, although more refined than they once were, can cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, and are generally only effective when used regularly. Using homeopathy for the treatment of hay fever has the following benefits:

· Homeopathy is safe to use. Homeopathic medicines are free from the sedative side effects of conventional antihistamine medications.

· Homeopathic treatment can be tailored to the individual. Every allergy sufferer experiences his or her allergy in a different way. Rather than offering blanket suppression of symptoms, the homeopathic practitioner selects a medicine that is matched to the symptom or allergy 'picture' of the patient.

· Treatment does not have to be continuous. A short course of homeopathic treatment at the beginning of the hay fever season may give relief for weeks or even months at a time.

The effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of hay fever is supported by published research, including papers in both the Lancet and the British Medical Journal. Three systematic reviews of randomised controlled clinical trials have had positive findings.

A number of homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter to help with the symptoms of hay fever (see list below). For treatment tailored to the individual (known as 'constitutional' homeopathic treatment) a qualified homeopathic practitioner should be consulted.

Homeopathy