We will not go into detail about all the many anti-allergy medicines. Instead, we will cite the commonest ones and put them into an overall context.

Antihistamines are mainly used in the case of allergic rhinitis and in all allergic skin disorders but are also useful for dust mite allergy and pet allergy. Older antihistamines had the drawback of making you drowsy. The newer ones (2nd generation antihistamines) are less likely to do this and tend to have less side effects. Today antihistamines are generally considered the first-line treatment for allergy symptoms and are available through your pharmacy or some supermarket stores.

Anti-Leukotrienes (or leukotriene receptor antagonists) a preventative treatment used in asthma to block chemicals in the airways, called leukotrienes. Leukotrienes occur naturally in the body and cause tightening of the airway muscles and production of excess mucus and fluid.

Mast cell stabilisers are used to prevent allergic attacks (e.g. asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis), not to treat their symptoms. Therefore, they should be taken before attacks are likely to occur, often over long periods.

Bronchodilators (which ease breathing) are often used in the treatment of asthma. Theophylline (an adrenaline-like drug) and products of the sympathomimetic group are bronchodilators.

Corticosteroids (steriods) Allergy and inflammation are often linked which is why cortisone, which fights inflammation, can be useful. Steroids may cause dryness and irritation of the nose and throat and should always be used according to the precise instruction by a doctor or pharmacist.