A runny nose or irritated eyes in late August do not automatically mean a cold. On 25 August 2026, Sciensano reported that Belgium’s mugwort pollen season had probably passed its peak but was not completely over. Concentrations of Cladosporium and Alternaria fungal spores remained high. A saline nasal rinse can mechanically remove some pollen and other particles from the nose, while lubricating eye drops may improve the comfort of dry or irritated eyes. Neither option diagnoses an allergy or replaces allergy treatment.
Why allergy-like symptoms continue in late summer
Hay fever is often associated with spring trees and early-summer grass. The end of summer can matter too. Belgium’s Sciensano AirAllergy network monitors airborne pollen and fungal spores each day. Its current update still mentions mugwort and high Cladosporium and Alternaria concentrations. Sensitivity varies considerably, so a measured level cannot predict how much discomfort one individual will experience.
A runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and watering can fit allergic rhinitis, but they overlap with other conditions. Fever, muscle aches, breathing difficulty or uncertainty are reasons to seek professional advice instead of continuing to self-treat. The UK public health service’s NHS guidance on allergic rhinitis also explains that a pharmacist can advise on suitable treatment and that medical review may be needed for severe or persistent symptoms.
Nasal rinse or eye drops: match the product to the symptom
Start with where the discomfort occurs. A nasal rinsing device and lubricating eye drops are not interchangeable products.
Saline rinsing for an irritated nose
A nasal rinse moves a salt-water solution through the nasal cavity. This is mechanical nasal hygiene: it washes away mucus and inhaled particles, but it is not a medicine. The red Rhino Horn nasal rinse currently costs about €13.75 to €13.90 from two sellers. Because that spread is small, delivery charges and the cost of appropriate salt may matter more than the displayed product price.
Use only water and salt prepared exactly as the instructions state. Do not share the device, clean it after use and let it dry. Ask for professional advice before rinsing if the nose is completely blocked, nosebleeds recur, you have ear pain, or you recently had nasal surgery.
Lighter lubrication for irritated eyes
For dry, mildly burning or gritty-feeling eyes, a lubricating drop may feel more comfortable. Hylo Fresh eye drops currently range from €8.14 to €12.65. Blink Intensive Tears 10 ml has a wider range of about €8.41 to €15.79. That is a €7.38 difference for the same product, making a seller comparison worthwhile.
These are lubricating products and should not automatically be described as anti-allergy medicines. Follow the instructions, keep the dropper tip clean and check how long the bottle may be kept after opening. If you wear contact lenses, confirm explicitly that the drops suit your lens type and how they should be timed.
A thicker gel for a longer-lasting dry sensation
A gel-like drop generally stays on the eye surface longer than a thin liquid, although it can briefly make vision feel blurry just after application. Hylo Gel eye drops currently cost roughly €12.75 to €20.75, a difference of €8.00. Do not choose a thicker texture because it sounds inherently ‘stronger’. Choose it when that feel and duration suit your symptoms and routine.
Four products compared at a glance
- Rhino Horn nasal rinse: reusable device for mechanical saline rinsing; about €13.75–€13.90.
- Hylo Fresh: lighter lubricating eye drops; about €8.14–€12.65.
- Blink Intensive Tears: lubricating drops with the largest relative seller spread in this selection; about €8.41–€15.79.
- Hylo Gel: thicker eye gel for people who prefer a longer-lasting texture; about €12.75–€20.75.
Prices change. Compare the current total including delivery, not only the number on the product card. A cheaper bottle is not good value if it is unsuitable for your contact lenses or if you cannot use it within the stated period after opening.
Practical steps alongside a comfort product
Sciensano advises sensitive people to consider limiting outdoor activity when levels are high, wearing sunglasses, avoiding drying laundry outdoors, rinsing the nose and washing hair before bed. Planning when you ventilate your home and changing clothes after a long period outdoors may also reduce the particles brought inside.
Track symptoms alongside local measurements for several days. This is more useful than deciding from one day that pollen or fungal spores must be the cause. A pharmacist can explain the difference between a comfort product and a medicine. Painful red eyes, light sensitivity, a change in vision, breathing difficulty or repeatedly returning symptoms warrant medical assessment.
Conclusion: compare by symptom, use and total price
For an irritated nose, a correctly prepared saline rinse is the most targeted non-medicinal option in this selection. Dry or irritated eyes call for a light lubricating drop or a thicker gel instead. Current seller differences reach €8.00 for the eye products. Compare today’s total prices on PharmaCompare, read the instructions and ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice when symptoms or product choice are unclear.