Hay fever / allergies

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Has anyone else found their hay fever gets worse when it rains? I have hay fever from March to September/October and I've found in the last week it's been a lot worse, I've been coughing a lot more which is particularly unfortunate this year! I've had a covid test which was negative but I'm getting fed up now! Am I the only one?!

The rain throws the pollen everywhere. Has your dr prescribed antihistamines? Prescription ones are so much better.

I'm having a nightmare with my hayfever right now. Constantly need to clear my throat which makes going out a bit stressful!

I have hayfever for most of the year. It seems only Dec/Jan I can get away with not taking antihistamines everyday.

I have noticed my hayfever is worse recently, its rained quite a lot. Does this drive the pollen in a particular way that is worse? Or is it a particular pollen that is around now that I don't get on with? I don't know. I live in s.e London.

This past year since seeing a consultant at the hospital allergy clinic I have been noting in my diary when my symptoms are worse so I can pre-emptively take medication, including adding another otc antihistamine at night and a nasal steroid.

You can get antihistamine eye drops now too.

Apparently thunderstorms/lightning can make it worse because they split the pollen into smaller particles.

Thanks for your replies. I'm sorry other people are suffering but it makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one!

The doctor prescribed me fexofenadine but it gave me a sore throat so I gave up. I've started it again though today and I'll try one of the nasal sprays.

There will be other antihistamines available for prescription.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/allergic-rhinitis/management/management/

NICE guidelines.

Thanks Fluffy. I was prescribed these over the phone so I'll probably put up with it until I can actually see my GP. Last time I saw a GP she tried to say I had a cat allergy despite me saying I'm fine during the winter months! In the highly unlikely event it is a cat allergy there's not a lot I can do!

It atomises the pollen. Mine is always worse after heavy rain.

Well I'm still coughing, although not as bad. I had a panic last night as I started thinking maybe it is the cat but I don't think it is now I've calmed down. I've never had hayfever as badly as this year!

My ds who has multiple food and environmental allergy has severe cat allergy too. We didn't know it until he had the blood test done by the allergy dr, and he has never even touched the cats ever in his life. You never know.

Interesting - I used to think my hayfever finished in July time but it seems now to go on to October/November. And it’s worse after rain too. I largely manage to keep on top of it by using a cetirizine in the morning, piriton at night and becconase nasal spray too.

@WaltzfortheMars we've had the cat 12 years and I've only ever coughed during hay fever season never during the winter when he's indoors all the time. Even if it is him there's nothing I can do other than get on with it!

@Lovelydovey I've found mine seems to go on longer each year. I'm taking fexofenadine in the morning now and cetirizine at night. The strange thing is I'm not coughing much at night!

You get more allergic to something the more your exposed to it so hayfever does get worse with age.

My sister has been eating certain fruit for years, it was her favorite. One day she collapsed and taken to the hospital by ambulance. She developed the fatal allergy through exposure. It can happen.

It's definitely nothing to do with my cat - we went out this morning and my eyes and throat were itching and I was coughing. Harry has never been in DH's car so it's definitely hay fever thank god.

Changing to new antihistamine sometimes work too. Also my ds had constant runny nose all year round(dust allergy) but using steroid nose spray for a while sorted him out and doesn't suffer from it anymore.

And I'm still bloody coughing! It eases when I take an antihistamine but that doesn't last. I've got a telephone appointment with my GP on Wednesday so hopefully he can give me something else. I just hope he'll give me something without me having to go for any tests!

Have you developed asthma? It doesn’t always start in childhood.

I don't think so. I'm not breathless or wheezing, I've just got a bunged up nose and a tickly cough and of course the more I cough, the worse it gets as it irritates my throat. It's just really odd how I was OK, coughing a bit and then all of a sudden it got so much worse, it wasn't even gradual!

I'm hoping it's gone in a couple of weeks as DH and I are going away for a couple of nights and I'm worried I'll be chucked out of the hotel!

I spoke to the GP in Wednesday and he told me to double the dose of Fexofenadine but I've felt sick and had an upset stomach (both side effects) so I don't think that's going to work - I'd rather cough. He said if that didn't help call him back and he'll try me on a blue inhaler. I did have one a few years ago but haven't been this bad since. I didn't realise it's possible to have seasonal asthma so you could be onto something Fluffy

Yes, asthmas not as cut and dry as you think. Most of dhs family are diagnosed with it. One was mid 40’s when he was diagnosed.

I feel most left out.

I'm going to leave off the antihistamines and ask for the inhaler next week. I know last time I had the inhaler when I had the peak flow test it wasn't actual asthma, only a seasonal allergy so fingers crossed this is the same.

At least Harry's in the clear!

Yes we have to be glad the most important family member isn’t asthmatic don’t we!.

The strange thing is Harry does cough so maybe I'm coming out in sympathy for him rather than being allergic to him! The vet can't find anything wrong and doesn't want to do biopsies at his age and it bothers me more than him when he coughs so we're leaving him be.