Hay fever sufferers spend more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime

HAY fever sufferers spend more than £3,600 on medication over their lifetime – despite some not being convinced they actually work.

A poll of 1,000 people withfound 62 per cent will go through up to two boxes of antihistamine tablets per month, with half using the same amount on spray.

A constant runny nose also means a quarter will go through three or more loo rolls a week during the high-pollen season.

These remedies see them part with around £59 a year, or £3,697 over the average adult lifetime.

But despite the vast amount of medication, 28 per cent claim nothing works when it comes to dosing up on tablets and sprays – however, they will continue to buy them regardless.

This season though, 24 per cent are considering swapping the tablets and sprays for a purifier as three in 10 reckon it would be less costly than any medication to run.

And 34 per cent think it will do an overall better job in helping them cope with their allergy.

A spokesperson for Utilita Energy, which commissioned the research as part of its Power Price List campaign, said: “While many of us look forward to the arrival of spring after a long, cold and gloomy winter, it can bring a sense of dread for those who start sneezing as soon as pollen levels rise.

“Our research has revealed almost one in four hay fever sufferers are being proactive in using an air purifier indoors, with the average cost of running an air purifier 365 days a year is £39.”;

Of those who have already invested in a purifier, the top reasons for making the switch were seeing positive reviews online (39 per cent), recommendations from family or friends (35 per cent), and concerns over long-term medication use (33 per cent).

While 29 per cent switched over caused by frustrations with the effectiveness of existing hay fever medication.

For nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of air purifier users, this led to improvements in many of their pollen-induced symptoms.

With 39 per cent claiming the cleaner air helped to unblock their noses, 36 per cent sneezed less than usual, and 30 per cent had relief from a constantly running nose.

But of those yet to try using an air purifier, 49 per cent admitted they had simply never thought about it.

While 64 per cent didn’t know this technology could help reduce their symptoms, theOnePoll.comsurvey revealed.

Utilita Energy’s spokesperson added: “To help households weigh up the value of using an air purifier, we can confirm the average entry level indoor air purifier costs £90 to buy, and £39 a year to run when using it constantly all year round.”