Antihistamines help to ease allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny nose, a skin rash or itching. You can buy some antihistamines over the counter from a pharmacy. Some are only available on prescription.

Antihistamines may be helpful for allergic conditions such as:

• hives (urticaria)
• drug allergies
• itchy eczema or dermatitis
• allergic conjunctivitis (sore, itchy eyes)
• allergic asthma

Antihistamines may also help to ease:

• nausea and sickness (including travel sickness)
• vertigo (feeling like everything around you is spinning)
• insect bites and stings