Hay fever

[Mibbes Aye]

Up early again, it is amazing how the lockdown changes habits. I am certainly enjoying the bird call in the mornings though that won’t be for an hour or so yet.

I take exceptionally bad hay fever around this time of year. In a good year, I can expect a sore throat, nasal congestion, popped ears, and a general tingling across my face and scalp. I am reluctant to take steroids because of their side effects. The more general medication leaves me torn - the non-drowsy stuff does nothing. The drowsy stuff turns me into a side character from a Cheech and Chong movie and I am only good for lying on a couch listening to Pink Floyd :greengrin

I know that local honey is recommended but that is not really an option just now. Any other suggestions, or any other expressions of frustration by fellow sufferers would be welcome.

[Jones28]

I’m lucky in that over the counter stuff usually works, but if I forget one I’m ****ed.

Have you tried taking drowsy one-a-day pills at night?

[Sylar]

Up early again, it is amazing how the lockdown changes habits. I am certainly enjoying the bird call in the mornings though that won’t be for an hour or so yet.

I take exceptionally bad hay fever around this time of year. In a good year, I can expect a sore throat, nasal congestion, popped ears, and a general tingling across my face and scalp. I am reluctant to take steroids because of their side effects. The more general medication leaves me torn - the non-drowsy stuff does nothing. The drowsy stuff turns me into a side character from a Cheech and Chong movie and I am only good for lying on a couch listening to Pink Floyd :greengrin

I know that local honey is recommended but that is not really an option just now. Any other suggestions, or any other expressions of frustration by fellow sufferers would be welcome.

I've suffered badly with hayfever for years. Bloodshot eyes, sneezing, throat tickling and chest congestion all frequent elements of my summers since I was a kid. Nothing worked. None of the over-counter stuff anyway.

Some years back, I was recommended by a friend to ask for f.e.xofenadine Hydrochloride from my doctor and I haven't had a summer since that my hayfever has bothered me. It's non-drowsy, non-steroidal, and it's damned effective. I was on 500mg dose at one point, but I think 180mg might be the standard? That's what I'm taking now.

Edit: minus the dots in the name - the swear filter here is utterly ridiculous at times.

[Pretty Boy]

I never had any bother with hayfever until about 6 or 7 years ago. Now I get it terribly and it's always earlier in the season.

Like others the new generation 'non drowsy' OTC stuff does little for me. I spoke to my GP a few years back and he prescribed chlorpheniramine which does help a bit but it turns me into a zombie. If things are really bad I take one last thing at night as it takes a while to kick in and does last a while.

My main symptoms tend to be nasal congestion and sinus pain and pressure. I occasionally use a steroid nasal spray but I'm not overly keen on relying on it. I use Sterimar often and that helps.

[Moulin Yarns]

Up early again, it is amazing how the lockdown changes habits. I am certainly enjoying the bird call in the mornings though that won’t be for an hour or so yet.

I take exceptionally bad hay fever around this time of year. In a good year, I can expect a sore throat, nasal congestion, popped ears, and a general tingling across my face and scalp. I am reluctant to take steroids because of their side effects. The more general medication leaves me torn - the non-drowsy stuff does nothing. The drowsy stuff turns me into a side character from a Cheech and Chong movie and I am only good for lying on a couch listening to Pink Floyd :greengrin

I know that local honey is recommended but that is not really an option just now. Any other suggestions, or any other expressions of frustration by fellow sufferers would be welcome.

Wearing a mask might help, join the new normal. 😉

[Mibbes Aye]

Thanks for the comments and tips folks, again I am in the same camp as some others on other threads, not sleeping well at night and wide awake from here on in. I just had what was for me, one of those typical hay fever sneezing fits, ten to fifteen sneezes, sore throat, my cheeks and ears feel all swollen and my head feels like someone has injected cotton wool into it!

Honey and lemon should help with the throat and I will take the advice on here about the ‘drowsy’ before bed time. That might stop me being wide awake at four or five in the morning, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. The popped ears remain a problem though - Optex isn’t doing a thing and I know there are natural remedies that involve tilting your head and gulping etc, but they are having limited effect.

I didn’t acquire hay fever until I was around my early to mid-thirties. There are worse things to be stricken with, quite obviously, but it is a ****ing trial at times :greengrin

I do wonder whether the reduced usage of vehicles and lack of air pollution, is making it easier for the pollen to spread. That would have some element of irony - a greener planet, leading to mother Earth’s revenge by inflicting Uber pollen on us :greengrin

[The_Exile]

As others have mentioned, it's just really finding the medication that works for you. I had lost summers in the house when I was younger down to hay fever, there were times it was so bad I just want the ground to open up and take me down (although I got bloody good at championship/football manager!!).

What has worked for me for nigh on 30 years now is regular showers/baths at the end of the spring/summer days rather than the start and a good air purifier for your living room which you can take to your bedroom at night. Keeping windows and vents closed during the day and opening them at night when the sun goes down and there's less pollen in the air is best if needed. It was so bad for me though that I didn't open a window during the summer and suffered the heat rather than the hay fever at times! Drinking plenty water seems to help me too, I'm usually 2 litres a day with some frozen berries chucked in.

[pollution]

As others have mentioned, it's just really finding the medication that works for you. I had lost summers in the house when I was younger down to hay fever, there were times it was so bad I just want the ground to open up and take me down (although I got bloody good at championship/football manager!!).

What has worked for me for nigh on 30 years now is regular showers/baths at the end of the spring/summer days rather than the start and a good air purifier for your living room which you can take to your bedroom at night. Keeping windows and vents closed during the day and opening them at night when the sun goes down and there's less pollen in the air is best if needed. It was so bad for me though that I didn't open a window during the summer and suffered the heat rather than the hay fever at times! Drinking plenty water seems to help me too, I'm usually 2 litres a day with some frozen berries chucked in.


Seeing as you live in E Lothian do you have rapeseed growing near you?

If I drive past a field of it I immediately sneeze, even though I do not have hay fever in general.

It happens every time even though scientists say rapeseed is not allergenic. When I say every time I am being absolutely honest. Yellow monster.

[Mon Dieu4]

Like others on here think I was in my mid 20s when I first started getting it, I always took a hay fever tablet every time I could really feel it and didn't do too much, I then found out you need to get a course of it in your system so when I feel the first signs of it I just start taking them every day wether I feel bad or not

[Bristolhibby]

I had what I thought was a Summer cold (blocked nose, sore eyes, mucus) for ages I thought it was a cold. Strangely I did not “feel” ill.

Went to the Doctors, was prescribed all sorts of nasal sprays and eye drops. Only after a few weeks that I went round to my in-laws when my mother in law suggested I had Hayfever and try some of her Loratidine.

Started taking them and clears things up massively.

Turns out I had Hayfever. This all happened in my late 20s.

Now take Loratidine from April through to about September.

J

[Pretty Boy]

I had what I thought was a Summer cold (blocked nose, sore eyes, mucus) for ages I thought it was a cold. Strangely I did not “feel” ill.

Went to the Doctors, was prescribed all sorts of nasal sprays and eye drops. Only after a few weeks that I went round to my in-laws when my mother in law suggested I had Hayfever and try some of her Loratidine.

Started taking them and clears things up massively.

Turns out I had Hayfever. This all happened in my late 20s.

Now take Loratidine from April through to about September.

J

I often wonder what triggers hayfever in adults. It seems there is little scientific agreement.

Just before I really started suffering I had a really bad does of food poisoning. I contracted it on holiday in Turkey, started showing symptoms on our last day and was vomiting in the airport as our flight was boarding. I honestly contemplated not getting on board.

For a couple of weeks afterwards I was run down and eventually went to the doctor who suggested a post viral fatigue. That was when the headaches, sore throat, inflamed sinuses and so on started. My GP took some blood which came back clear and at that point hayfever was discussed.

She did say that there was a small chance that the food poisoning had caused an immune response that triggered the allergy to life. She said there was some very limited evidence to support that as a possibility.

[The_Exile]

Seeing as you live in E Lothian do you have rapeseed growing near you?

If I drive past a field of it I immediately sneeze, even though I do not have hay fever in general.

It happens every time even though scientists say rapeseed is not allergenic. When I say every time I am being absolutely honest. Yellow monster.

I'm between Musselburgh and Elphinstone and there can be a hell of a lot of Rapeseed around. I've had times where I've been out and it's been absolutely hellish and have put it down to that. April 1st every year I start taking 10mg (20mg on days I know it's going to be a high pollen count) of Cetirizine Hydrochloride until 1st of September.

In addition to what was mentioned above about the link to what triggers it, I was diagnosed as type 1 diabetic as a 7 year old. My parents can't remember me having any issues with hay fever until after I was diagnosed. Docs put the trigger for type 1 diabetes down to a particularly nasty virus I had when I was a 6 year old and made the connection with the hay fever too. My immune system, when triggered, seems to be very rapid and very heavy handed at trying to shift things, and after this point at 6 years old it would explain the relatively severe symptoms of hay fever.

[G B Young]

Thanks for the comments and tips folks, again I am in the same camp as some others on other threads, not sleeping well at night and wide awake from here on in. I just had what was for me, one of those typical hay fever sneezing fits, ten to fifteen sneezes, sore throat, my cheeks and ears feel all swollen and my head feels like someone has injected cotton wool into it!

Honey and lemon should help with the throat and I will take the advice on here about the ‘drowsy’ before bed time. That might stop me being wide awake at four or five in the morning, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. The popped ears remain a problem though - Optex isn’t doing a thing and I know there are natural remedies that involve tilting your head and gulping etc, but they are having limited effect.

I didn’t acquire hay fever until I was around my early to mid-thirties. There are worse things to be stricken with, quite obviously, but it is a ****ing trial at times :greengrin

I do wonder whether the reduced usage of vehicles and lack of air pollution, is making it easier for the pollen to spread. That would have some element of irony - a greener planet, leading to mother Earth’s revenge by inflicting Uber pollen on us :greengrin

I used to struggle with it for a few years and as you say it's utterly debilitating (I remember once being on a day trip to Arran and literally sneezing my way round the island!). Piriton used to work but then seemed to become less effective. However, I was subsequently diagnosed with very mild asthma about a decade ago and since I started using a low dosage 'preventer' inhaler at the start and end of each day it's almost never bothered me again. I guess that means there's steroids involved but as I say the dosage is extremely low and it's a trade-off I'm happy to make.

Interestingly, I've noticed I've sometimes been sneezing and blowing my nose first thing in the morning during lockdown so maybe there's something in what you say about the greener environment playing a part. I suspect though that it's due to me getting out of bed until later and therefore not using the inhaler at my previously regular time.

Not sure if it was related, but I used to find that some red wines and chocolate would trigger similar allergy-like symptoms but here again the inhaler seems to have all but eliminated that.

[Colr]

Hay fever sufferers might find this thread interesting

https://twitter.com/flaminhaystack/status/1257648064954761216?s=21

[McD]

Thanks for the comments and tips folks, again I am in the same camp as some others on other threads, not sleeping well at night and wide awake from here on in. I just had what was for me, one of those typical hay fever sneezing fits, ten to fifteen sneezes, sore throat, my cheeks and ears feel all swollen and my head feels like someone has injected cotton wool into it!

Honey and lemon should help with the throat and I will take the advice on here about the ‘drowsy’ before bed time. That might stop me being wide awake at four or five in the morning, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. The popped ears remain a problem though - Optex isn’t doing a thing and I know there are natural remedies that involve tilting your head and gulping etc, but they are having limited effect.

I didn’t acquire hay fever until I was around my early to mid-thirties. There are worse things to be stricken with, quite obviously, but it is a ****ing trial at times :greengrin

I do wonder whether the reduced usage of vehicles and lack of air pollution, is making it easier for the pollen to spread. That would have some element of irony - a greener planet, leading to mother Earth’s revenge by inflicting Uber pollen on us :greengrin



In terms of popping ears, I often find yawning can help me when I'm experiencing that...weird I know :greengrin

[CropleyWasGod]

In terms of popping ears, I often find yawning can help me when I'm experiencing that...weird I know :greengrin

I don't suffer from hay fever, but I do get bunged-up ears, mainly through wax.

Ear-Calm helps that. The wax and other gunge is acidic, and the treatment is alkali, hence it neutralises it.

Nothing beats a good yawn though. So satisfying when that happens.... :greengrin

[Mibbes Aye]

Not sure if this applies for other sufferers. We travelled a bit more than two hours today, to visit my parents-in-law, which we understood to be legal. With them, we observed social distancing as best we could.

We had lunch and then went for a walk through the nearby woods. It is a popular walk in that area so we were regularly seeing other households and making sure we kept our distance whenever we came close. The walk is around an hour but I had to turn around halfway in because of hay fever. The walk lies close to a golf course which had been freshly mown and after thirty minutes I could barely see, from eyes weeping and puffing up, and shortness of breath. Plus the usual nonsense where it feels like very fine pins are being put in your face and scalp, and the back of your throat becomes instantly scratchy.

I know from talking to work colleagues who are afflicted but live elsewhere, that it can be very regional. I would love to try local honey, in my neck of the woods and where my parents-in law live, but that isn’t easy just now.

And yes, it seems very self-indulgent to be moaning about hay fever when thousands upon thousands are dying or mourning loss, I will own that. I just wish my eyes didn’t feel a mixture of being on fire and burst water hydrants :greengrin

[greenlex]

I am in my late 50s and never suffered from hay fever. I’m on my feet all day at work only slightly overweight, an avid golfer and part time walker. This year I took my first steps on the golf course on Friday and really struggled with my breathing and tightness in my chest.. I haven’t done much walking at pace since mid March . I am convinced I had this bloody virus mid march. I am also sure that the virus has done something to my lungs. Either that or is this the onset of hay fever? Very unpleasant.

[G B Young]

Not sure if this applies for other sufferers. We travelled a bit more than two hours today, to visit my parents-in-law, which we understood to be legal. With them, we observed social distancing as best we could.

We had lunch and then went for a walk through the nearby woods. It is a popular walk in that area so we were regularly seeing other households and making sure we kept our distance whenever we came close. The walk is around an hour but I had to turn around halfway in because of hay fever. The walk lies close to a golf course which had been freshly mown and after thirty minutes I could barely see, from eyes weeping and puffing up, and shortness of breath. Plus the usual nonsense where it feels like very fine pins are being put in your face and scalp, and the back of your throat becomes instantly scratchy.

I know from talking to work colleagues who are afflicted but live elsewhere, that it can be very regional. I would love to try local honey, in my neck of the woods and where my parents-in law live, but that isn’t easy just now.

And yes, it seems very self-indulgent to be moaning about hay fever when thousands upon thousands are dying or mourning loss, I will own that. I just wish my eyes didn’t feel a mixture of being on fire and burst water hydrants :greengrin

That sounds horrendous. I did read somewhere that hay fever sufferers were claiming that the lack of air pollution in lockdown meant that the pollen count was higher but not sure if there's anything scientific about that.

I recall one of my brothers in law telling me years ago that he used a local honey to treat his hay fever. The 'local' element seems to be key. I think he was quite successful with it.

With a reaction that severe though I'd probably think about a trip to the doctor if that's possible just to see if there's anything they'd recommend. Have you ever been tested for asthma?

[Pretty Boy]

It was horrendous yesterday. I had to use my inhaler for the first time in about 3 years.

[BS44]

Do you get a lot of gunk coming from your nose and throat with hayfever? A couple of years ago when we had that fantastic summer I had a head cold the entire time, and was bringing up nasty looking yellow mucus, and a lot of dark coloured wax from my ears. Pharmacist said it was hayfever while I thought it was a infection.

[James310]

I have used a seawater spray this year, seems to have done the trick. Never heard of them before but my wife got me it and so far so good.

[Mibbes Aye]

That sounds horrendous. I did read somewhere that hay fever sufferers were claiming that the lack of air pollution in lockdown meant that the pollen count was higher but not sure if there's anything scientific about that.

I recall one of my brothers in law telling me years ago that he used a local honey to treat his hay fever. The 'local' element seems to be key. I think he was quite successful with it.

With a reaction that severe though I'd probably think about a trip to the doctor if that's possible just to see if there's anything they'd recommend. Have you ever been tested for asthma?

I had asthma as a child but grew out of it.

I am convinced that ironically the lack of air pollution is a contributory factor, that and people doing far more in their garden and stirring things up. Plus yesterday was really hot, today likewise.

[Mibbes Aye]

I am in my late 50s and never suffered from hay fever. I’m on my feet all day at work only slightly overweight, an avid golfer and part time walker. This year I took my first steps on the golf course on Friday and really struggled with my breathing and tightness in my chest.. I haven’t done much walking at pace since mid March . I am convinced I had this bloody virus mid march. I am also sure that the virus has done something to my lungs. Either that or is this the onset of hay fever? Very unpleasant.

Other people have suggested that ill health e.g.the virus, can trigger acquiring hay fever.

I am not sure if the symptoms are consistent for everybody, but the ones I get are weepy eyes, blocked sinuses, feeling that your face is puffed up, tingling all over the face and scalp and that tightness and shortness of breath you described.

[jonty]

Went outside to cut the hedge - nothing more than 1hr - and I'm already sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes. hate it.

[Jay]

I have a 15 month old here who is demented with hayfever. His eyes are so sore. Limited to what we can give him

[Mibbes Aye]

Do you get a lot of gunk coming from your nose and throat with hayfever? A couple of years ago when we had that fantastic summer I had a head cold the entire time, and was bringing up nasty looking yellow mucus, and a lot of dark coloured wax from my ears. Pharmacist said it was hayfever while I thought it was a infection.

I put in an earlier post that I wasn’t sure how consistent the symptoms were for people, though ear, nose, throat, chest and the face and scalp seem common. While I take hay fever every year this is the first time it has really affected my ears. They are constantly popped, the way you get on a plane. As someone else said yawning is a good remedy, at least on a plane, or sucking a mint. Neither of those are working though. I bought some ear spray stuff, ludicrously expensive for a tiny bottle and that works for a while but not too long.

Part of me wonders whether if things stayed the same -less air pollution etc -then my body would adapt and I wouldn’t take it so badly next year and ongoing, but then that starts to sound a bit like herd immunity and bad science :greengrin

[Hibby Bairn]

Been a hay fever sufferer between May and July for 40 years. Symptom free so far this year despite being out more than ever.

[Mibbes Aye]

Been a hay fever sufferer between May and July for 40 years. Symptom free so far this year despite being out more than ever.

Where’s the justice!!!

:greengrin

[Smartie]

I have used a seawater spray this year, seems to have done the trick. Never heard of them before but my wife got me it and so far so good.

What is a seawater spray?

I’ve never really found a hay fever solution I’ve been happy with and it appears that mine is back with a vengeance this weekend.

[Peevemor]

What is a seawater spray?

I’ve never really found a hay fever solution I’ve been happy with and it appears that mine is back with a vengeance this weekend.I'd imagine it's seawater in an aerosol that you squirt up your nose. There's a factory that produces it here (St Malo) and they use it all the time - for colds & flus too.

I hate it!

[James310]

What is a seawater spray?

I’ve never really found a hay fever solution I’ve been happy with and it appears that mine is back with a vengeance this weekend.

I use this one.

https://www.sterimarnasal.co.uk/

It's all natural so no chemicals or drugs in it and I think the theory is it clears the nose by washing away the grains that cause the allergic reaction.

So far it's been good, not a 100% cure but I have noticed a difference.

[Peevemor]

I use this one.

https://www.sterimarnasal.co.uk/

It's all natural so no chemicals or drugs in it and I think the theory is it clears the nose by washing away the grains that cause the allergic reaction.

So far it's been good, not a 100% cure but I have noticed a difference.From Cancale, about 30 minutes from ma bit!

[Smartie]

I use this one.

https://www.sterimarnasal.co.uk/

It's all natural so no chemicals or drugs in it and I think the theory is it clears the nose by washing away the grains that cause the allergic reaction.

So far it's been good, not a 100% cure but I have noticed a difference.

That’s great - cheers.

I’ll have a look.