I snort anti-histamines.

I’m only half joking. Pills did nothing for me.

But nasal sprays and eye drops give almost immediate relief. When it’s particularly bad I will ask the pharmacists for two types, as “doubling up” on different active ingredients can allow for increased potency. Though that is something you should absolutely ask the pharmacist for a recommendation on, as combining any two isn’t necesserily effective, or safe.

If pills work for you, but don’t quite get it done, you can combine those with drops/spray too. Again, consult a pharmacist. Just tell them what you’ve tried, and ask for a recommendation on how to get a bit more potency.

For me, stuff that you apply directly is so much more potent, and I only tried it because a pharmacist recommended it when I said none of the pills seem to help me. It was night and day.

With the nose, it’s a little tricky if it has already become stuffed. Try to clear out as much as possible, before using the spray, then let it sit for as long as you can bear. Once it starts taking effect, you really want to keep using the spray before your nose starts reacting, so it actually reaches the mucus membranes, and doesn’t just hit mucus, only to be blown back out.

If you can clear out your nose by flushing your sinuses first, even better.

Another bonus of taking anti histamines this way is that it doesn’t make you as drowsy, as it’s applied much more locally. Though this varies. Some of the antihistamine in drops and nasal spray will still make it into the blood stream.