The best starting treatment depends on your main allergy symptoms. Antihistamines can help itching, a runny nose and sneezing. A steroid nasal spray usually works better for a blocked nose. Sometimes a combination or separate eye treatment is needed.
Identify the symptom that matters most
Record whether the main problem is in your nose, eyes or breathing. A tablet that helps your eyes may not adequately relieve nasal blockage. Year-round symptoms may also need a different assessment from a recurring pollen-season pattern.
In Sweden, pharmacy staff can help select a suitable non-prescription medicine and check it against other treatment. Ask specifically about pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, because product choice and age restrictions matter.
Different treatments have different roles
| Treatment | Practical point |
|---|---|
| Antihistamine | Available in several forms, including tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. |
| Steroid nasal spray | Reduces nasal swelling; use as instructed and allow time for full effect. |
| Eye drops | Can target itchy or watery eyes directly. |
Check technique before changing everything
Read the dosing and spray instructions. Avoid aiming a steroid spray towards the nasal septum, the central partition. Irritation or nosebleeds may mean that technique or treatment needs review.
A decongestant spray for a cold is different from a steroid allergy spray. Prolonged use of a decongestant can worsen nasal blockage. Ask a pharmacist if you are unsure what your bottle contains.
Keep a short treatment record
- Write down the product, dose and days you actually used it.
- Track blockage, sneezing and eye symptoms separately.
- Record sleepiness or nosebleeds.
- Bring the record when asking for treatment adjustment.
When to contact healthcare
Contact a vårdcentral, a primary care centre, if correctly used non-prescription treatment is insufficient, or you develop cough, wheeze or other asthma symptoms. Breathing difficulty needs prompt assessment; call 112 for severe symptoms. Call 1177 for advice. An allergy test should answer a question raised by your symptoms and is not always the first step.
Sources and further reading
- 1177: Pollenallergi (in Swedish)
- 1177: Läkemedel vid allergiska besvär i näsan och ögonen (in Swedish)
Sources and links checked on 22 October 2026. Editorial team: Hagakliniken. General information; individual assessment may differ.