New pill could treat hay fever for millions – and it might already be in your medicine cabinet

PROBIOTICS could ease hay fever symptoms, research shows.

Some “friendly” bacteria, which can be taken in supplement pills, can help reduce blocked noses, itching and sneezing, experts believe.

Lactobacillus acidophilus — available from around 11p per tablet — reduced symptoms in sufferers, a review of 31 studies and 18 human trials found.

Another strain called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which is also offered as a supplement, was found to help reduce hay fever developing in infants in separate studies.

Probiotics seem to help relieve symptoms by dampening the bodies immune response.

Hay fever is triggered by the body overreacting to pollen produced by plants in spring and summer.

The body mistakes the pollen for an infection, and floods the affected areas with histamines, which cause the symptoms.

Around a third of Brits suffer from allergies or hay fever — around 21million children and adults in total.

Patients can get over-the-counter antihistamines or a GP may prescribe steroid treatments, such as nasal sprays that reduce swelling and mucus.

However, a new band of research has shown hay fever sufferers often have less diversity in their gut microbiome.

This can lead to higher levels of inflammation — an immune response to allergens — prompting calls to look into how taking particular bacteria could help treat the condition at its cause.

The research looking at Lactobacillus acidophilus was published in the .

Dr Axel Lorents, of the University of Hohenheim, said: “Administration of Lactobacillus strains could positively affect patients by alleviating allergic symptoms. 

“Negative effects were not reported, thus, the treatment with probiotic Lactobacillus strains appears to be suitable for patients.