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Original poster

Terrible hay fever in 9yo what on earth do I do

111 replies

pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:39

Unfortunately moving is not an option but of course we live smack bang in the middle of the countryside with seemingly every type of pollen going

My poor 9yo is affected so badly, I hate the idea of constantly giving her antihistamines but so far it's all I feel I can do. Her eyes stream and go red, she sniffs all day and walks around with a packet of tissues constantly. I don't care having to pay or do anything to stop her suffering, halting the incessant sniffing would also be delightful!
I have no allergies so really not sure what I'm doing. Any ideas gratefully received!

OP posts:
CheeseMcKnees · 13/04/2023 08:41

Give her antihistamines every day please, it’s cruel not to.

She needs proper medication, I have hay fever and in Spring if I don’t take medication every day, even if I don’t have a flare (itchy swollen face) it can set of my asthma. It’s hell.

A simple antihistamine stops all this.

cheeseisthebest · 13/04/2023 08:45

My hayfever started at that age, it's awful. Give her antihistamines daily, there are stronger ones you can get on prescription too. Hayfever is absolutely miserable. I really feel for her.

ModeWeasel · 13/04/2023 08:45

We got an air purifier that was recommended for being good at moving pollen from air. Made a really big difference. Need to leave in the room for a while before it works. Use overnight and when home in a particular room. Still use antihistamine. Eye wash also helps when needed.

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9 year olds
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/04/2023 08:48

Beconase nasal spray which is prescribed by the GP for under 18s and there is a stronger one if that doesn't work.

Antihistamines every day without fail,again there are prescribed ones if OTC ones don't help.

Vaseline up the nose to trap the pollen.

Don't dry clothes outside on the line.

Eye drops if eyes are affected.

Treat this as a proper allergy and give medicine accordingly, hay fever is so debilitating.

SparklingLime · 13/04/2023 08:52

Lots of information here from a consultant allergist: twitter.com/londonallergy/status/1645106509091676160?s=46&t=lVt-WH-GcsPlMCKrCR4ukg

JoanThursday · 13/04/2023 08:57

My ds suffers terribly. These Hayfever Acupressure Band Child Size - Black amzn.eu/d/f4ncc6U Arm bands were a game changer when combined with the usual meds (in his case, tablets and eye drops)

They work in a similar way to sickness bands. Placebo effect or not, they're brilliant.

Original poster
pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:57

Thank you. I am not on Twitter so I don't think I can access that link but thanks anyway @SparklingLime

I feel uncomfortable giving her antihistamines everyday but I have already given her one this morning hence my post. If this is the only thing I can do to relieve her then I will though. I am now looking for an air purifier as well. Should I have one in every room?

OP posts:
JoanThursday · 13/04/2023 08:57

Sorry - link fail!

Original poster
pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:57

@JoanThursday thank you I'm ordering that today!

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:59

Yes the link failed is it just accupressure band?!

OP posts:
JoanThursday · 13/04/2023 09:00

pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:57

Thank you. I am not on Twitter so I don't think I can access that link but thanks anyway @SparklingLime

I feel uncomfortable giving her antihistamines everyday but I have already given her one this morning hence my post. If this is the only thing I can do to relieve her then I will though. I am now looking for an air purifier as well. Should I have one in every room?

Please don't discount antihistamines. They're incredibly safe. I suffer badly myself and its miserable: itchy eyes, throat, headaches, feeling generally unwell. Antihistamines will help with that.

JoanThursday · 13/04/2023 09:01

pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:59

Yes the link failed is it just accupressure band?!

Yes - and it helps my ds.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 13/04/2023 09:03

Tbh it's not really about how you feel OP, your child needs daily antihistamines because she has an allergy.

Xrays · 13/04/2023 09:03

We live in the middle of the countryside and my 11 year old has taken fexofenadine every single day for about 6 years. No issues at all. He really suffers without it. Speak to your Gp. Untreated allergies can be very debilitating.

PinkFootstool · 13/04/2023 09:03

What's the problem with antihistamines to you? Would you also be unhappy about giving her another form of medication for illness? That's deeply unfair on your daughter, and is something you need to work out why it's an issue for you....

Antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays and eyedrops are available - go and talk to a pharmacist about the best options for her.

StuntNun · 13/04/2023 09:03

Antihistamine tablets aren't always enough. Sometimes a nasal spray and/or eye drops are needed as well. Ideally they should be started before the pollen gets as high as it is now but they will still be effective. Antihistamines are a pretty safe medicine with few side effects so I definitely wouldn't worry about giving them to your daughter. You could get an air purifier with a hepa filter to remove pollen from her bedroom. Don't open windows in the house when the pollen is highest in the morning and late afternoon. Two of my kids have benefited from wearing glasses to stop so much pollen getting into their eyes and also to stop them rubbing their eyes which makes the itchiness much worse. One of my kids had Grazax therapy (a pollen tablet given under the tongue) which greatly reduced his symptoms.

Disneygirl37 · 13/04/2023 09:07

My daughter suffers badly. Speak to your gp and try different things until you get it sorted. Daily nose spray and piriton when she needs it controls it now. She tried so many antihistamines but piriton is the only one that works for her. Luckily it doesn't make her drowsy. We have an air purifier in her room which she uses in the summer.

SheikYerboutiii · 13/04/2023 09:07

I don’t understand why you feel uncomfortable giving her a safe medication that will help her, yet you’re fine watching her suffer? It’s neglectful imo.

Antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops all safe. Air purifier will help indoors but requires staying indoors and unfair on the child to expect her to do that all summer because you’re woohoo about medication. Taking clothes off when coming inside, showering before bed, don’t dry clothes outside, keep windows shut etc will all help minimise but letting her suffer when safe medication is available is not ok

Peridot1 · 13/04/2023 09:07

Yes as others have said please don’t worry about having to give her antihistamines. I wish I’d had them when I was a child. But my parents always just thought I had a cold. Constantly. In summer. I think I was about 18 when they believed it was hayfever as I was told by a doctor.

junebirthdaygirl · 13/04/2023 09:27

It's too late for this year but if anyone in your area is making honey buy some. Let her have a spoon a day and gradually she may build up immunity to the local pollen. Also ds suffers a lot but only in June. He used to have hell for the last month of primary school every year with sports day/ matches)/ outdoor play etc. But as soon as June was over he returned to normal. It was obviously a high sensitivity to some June flower. Hopefully your dd will be the same and it doesn't last the whole Summer But, as said, just give her the antihistamines.

Also in case it's relevant my ds could go no where near a horse so watch out for other things that may be causing extra sensitivity.

Seeline · 13/04/2023 09:31

I assume you have been to the GP?
If the antihistamines prescribed aren't working, please go back. There are different types, different strengths, eye drops, basal sprays etc all of which can be used in combination.

Hayfever is miserable - feels similar to having a permanent cold. Please give her the medication prescribed by the GP.

curlycat · 13/04/2023 09:32

The band is the only thing that's worked for my DH. He's 58 now and had hay fever since he was small so you can imagine everything he has tried up to now

SparklingLime · 13/04/2023 09:34

pinkjeanbea · 13/04/2023 08:57

Thank you. I am not on Twitter so I don't think I can access that link but thanks anyway @SparklingLime

I feel uncomfortable giving her antihistamines everyday but I have already given her one this morning hence my post. If this is the only thing I can do to relieve her then I will though. I am now looking for an air purifier as well. Should I have one in every room?

Then I would get her book. She's very practical and helpful. Goes through all the options, including non-drug things that can help.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0241527880?tag=prhmarketing2552-21

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/04/2023 09:37

Montelukast, fexofenadine and beconase in combination practically eliminated our youngest’s terrible hayfever. Several years on, he no longer needs them.

FishChipsMushyPeas · 13/04/2023 09:38

Why wouldnt you give her an antihistamine? Get some fexofenadine its life changing