WHAT HAPPENS WHEN...You take antihistamines

From allergy relief to reduced eye bags, these meds might help

- SAMANTHA WOOD

With warmer days and gardens in full bloom, spring brings joy to many. But for others, it leads to irritating and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Over a quarter of Brits are thought to suffer from hay fever, and many pop an antihistamine tablet to help with itchy eyes, streaming noses, coughs and headaches. These over-the-counter drugs work, but there are side effects. Here's what you need to know.

1 THEY CAN STOP YOU FEELING SICK

Antihistamines can help with different allergies, and they can also ease nausea, vomiting and may be used to treat conditions that affect balance like vertigo. 'Certain types, such as meclizine, work on the brain's balance centre, calming the signals that make you feel dizzy,' explains GP Dr Ramit Singh Sambyal from clinicspots.com.