After suffering for decades, Elizabeth Levy finally found a way to ease her symptoms at Boots
It was during her best friend’s summer wedding that Elizabeth Levy realised her hay fever was out of control.
As a bridesmaid, 40-year-old Elizabeth had to help ensure the day ran smoothly, which wasn’t easy with a high pollen count in a rural setting.
“The wedding was in a barn, surrounded by fields of flowers, and the pollen count was through the roof,” says Elizabeth. “As soon as I stepped outside, the sneezing started and my eyes felt like they were on fire.”
Even though she took antihistamines to try to gain some relief, she struggled with disruptive hay fever symptoms throughout the celebrations.
“By the time the photos were taken, I was a mess. My makeup was running, my nose was red, and I kept having to blink away tears. I was tired from all the sneezing and sniffling. There’s a photo of me mid-sneeze that will probably haunt me forever, but at least it makes for a funny pic in the wedding album!”
Boots superintendent pharmacist Claire Nevinson explains: “Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen – a fine powder produced by certain plants. Symptoms differ for each person, but commonly, there are three key areas where people are affected: the eyes, nose, and throat.
“While hay fever has no cure, there are many ways you can help to relieve and manage symptoms. Your local pharmacist is always on hand to offer advice on what products could be suitable for you – from antihistamine tablets to eye drops or nasal sprays.”
The peak season for hay fever sufferers is often March to September. It can develop at any age, and Elizabeth began to suffer in her teenage years.
Initially, she believed she was getting frequent colds, but she soon realised that her symptoms were seasonal. Experience taught her she was mainly allergic to grass pollen, and some flowering weeds.
But for a long time, Elizabeth thought that hay fever was just something that she would have to put up with.
However, during a routine shopping trip to a Boots branch, Elizabeth spotted a sign about hay fever treatment, which prompted her to ask the in-store pharmacist for some advice.
The pharmacist suggested a regime of products, including an antihistamine tablet for general relief that doesn’t cause drowsiness in most people; Elizabeth had unfortunately experienced this previously with antihistamines.
The pharmacist also recommended a nasal spray and allergy eye drops in case any of the symptoms started creeping back in. This was a combination of medications Elizabeth hadn’t tried.
“I’d never used a nasal spray as I thought it would be uncomfortable, but the pharmacist explained how it helps relieve the symptoms of hay fever before they start.”
Although she was initially a little sceptical that a new regime would work, Elizabeth was willing to give it a try – and within a few days, she felt much better.
“The sneezing was under control, plus my eyes weren’t constantly itching,” she says.
Elizabeth also now knows that she should begin taking her hay fever medications in the spring before the pollen count gets high: “If I wait until I’m already symptomatic, it’s harder to get under control.”
After years of dreading the summer months, Elizabeth is now looking forward to the warmer weather – and enjoying weekend trips and picnics: “Now that my hay fever is under control, I won’t be worrying about sneezing through all of them!”
Buy one, get second half price* mix & match across hayfever relief products at Boots – visit the website to browse the range.
*Cheapest half price; exclusions apply. Offer ends 9 September 2025.
**The Boots superintendent pharmacist does not endorse these products.
