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Original poster

Anyone else about to be taken out by hayfever?

30 replies

HayfeverSufferer · 11/05/2023 20:33

I am so stuffed up constantly, sneezing coughing and my face is so swollen. I can’t sleep because of it and my chest at times feels heavy. My eyes are constantly itchy, my skins even started going itchy and I'm clawing away at myself.

This has been going on since end of February.

I’ve always had hayfever since I was a teen but it’s never been this bad before.

I’ve been to the GP and got the prescription tablets, nasal spray and cream for my skin but it’s not touched it and I’m still as bad as ever. I can’t work because of it and have been signed off, I’ve never known anything like it. I’m already on inhalers for asthma which again aren’t helping even with an increased dose.

I’ve been referred to the allergy clinic but been told it’s a long wait. I cannot afford private.

I am a single parent and terrified that this is what will take me out.

I'm showering 3-4 times a day, changing my clothes everyday as a minimum but trying more often (but don't own that many clothes).

I also live right near a river and canal so that won't be helping.

Any tips to get me through? If I could just sleep I might have a chance of getting back to work.

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 11/05/2023 20:39

What prescription tablets have you been given? I've always relied on taking Cetirizine and Loratadine together. I'd be lost without them.

Original poster
HayfeverSufferer · 11/05/2023 20:41

MissConductUS · 11/05/2023 20:39

What prescription tablets have you been given? I've always relied on taking Cetirizine and Loratadine together. I'd be lost without them.

@MissConductUS Fexofenodine and Diphenhydramine, Fexo in the day and Diphen at night but they don't help me sleep or help me feel better.

OP posts:
Welshy26 · 11/05/2023 20:45

I don't know if this will help but I've heard eating your local honey is beneficial. Not sure of the science behind it but it has to be honey produced in your area.

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General health
MissConductUS · 11/05/2023 20:47

Can you get Cetirizine and Loratadine? They're over the counter in the US. They've really worked a treat for me.

Original poster
HayfeverSufferer · 11/05/2023 20:48

MissConductUS · 11/05/2023 20:47

Can you get Cetirizine and Loratadine? They're over the counter in the US. They've really worked a treat for me.

@MissConductUS They're over the counter here to but they just didn't help, usually they would or the Fexo with loratodine or ceterizine works but not this year

OP posts:
Chaircushion · 11/05/2023 20:49

Have you looked at paying for the injection? It’s not on the NHS, but with your symptoms it would be worth investigating.

Original poster
HayfeverSufferer · 11/05/2023 20:49

Welshy26 · 11/05/2023 20:45

I don't know if this will help but I've heard eating your local honey is beneficial. Not sure of the science behind it but it has to be honey produced in your area.

@Welshy26 I do like honey so will try that

OP posts:
Poblano · 11/05/2023 21:06

I think the honey thing relies on eating very local honey daily for a period running up to the beginning of hayfever season, so it is likely too late for this year.

My hayfever is also worse than usual this year. It is apparently a particularly bad year for birch pollen. I'm also asthmatic, but both my asthma and hay fever have been much improved since I was prescribed theophylline a few years ago. If it gets too bad I also take a short course of oral steroids just to get things back under control. Steroid cream also helps with the itchy skin and eczema.

Gardenoverflow · 11/05/2023 21:08

Wear a mask maybe?

cocksstrideintheevening · 11/05/2023 21:13

The honey thing has been mostly debunked.

I take fexo, loratadine and beconase. Every day. Not just when symptomatic, from early March through to the end of summer as I seem to be allergic to every kind of pollen.

Iwant2move · 11/05/2023 21:18

Gardenoverflow · 11/05/2023 21:08

Wear a mask maybe?

I was about to write the same thing. I found that my hay fever symptoms were helped significantly by mask wearing.
My hay fever has been dreadful this year. I take fexofenadine. The nasal sprays give me nosebleeds. I have worn my face mask mornings and evenings this year. I have had to wear one outside, in the car, in the house and have even considered wearing one to sleep in.
I hope the grass pollen season is not as intense as the tree pollen season has been this spring.

Loveyourselffirst · 11/05/2023 21:20

Kenalog injection… not on nhs, have to pay private but it’s a life saver.. I’m the worst sufferer ever 🤣 had this the last two years and no symptoms at all !!

DewinDwl · 11/05/2023 21:21

My hayfever is so much worse this year, too. It's like my normal OTC meds have no effect anymore. Poor DD is basically a streaming snot machine at the moment. ATM.

I didn't know you could mix fexo with other pills! Will try it tomorrow - I am ready to try anything to stop the itch itch itch scratch scratch sneeze sniffle.

countvoncount · 11/05/2023 21:22

Welshy26 · 11/05/2023 20:45

I don't know if this will help but I've heard eating your local honey is beneficial. Not sure of the science behind it but it has to be honey produced in your area.

Beekeeper here.
I have a queue of locals waiting to buy my honey at this time of year.
Science behind it is that the bees collect pollen, the irritant, in honey form, a teaspoon a day is almost like a local pollen overdose, which desensitises the system, almost making you immune to the irritant that you encounter in tiny doses.
Thankfully I don't suffer myself, but a lot of people absolutely swear by it, radius needs to be between 2-3 miles from your home.

NellyTimes · 11/05/2023 21:26

Beconase nasal spray has practically cured my hayfever. I've gone from 6 weeks of blocked nose, sore runny eyes, itchy ears, mouth and scalp to barely a sniffle. Been using it for 5 years now.

Peridot1 · 11/05/2023 21:27

Touch wood I’m doing ok this year. I have been taking Allevia every night (Fexofenadine) and Avamys spray every morning. I was really bad in December so started the Allevia then and have just kept it up. Consistency seems to have made a real difference for me this year.

I read the honey thing is an old wives tale.

years ago I had good results from acupuncture.

100daystogo · 11/05/2023 21:29

Vaseline up your nose to help trap pollen
Steam your face over a bowl with hot water and vicks
My consultant (under the allergy team) said I could take upto 3 fex a day…but check your GP first)
Are you washing your hair before bed? It gets trapped in your hair then in very close proximity to you face.
Decongestants are great for super bad days but can’t be used long term
Don’t open your windows as your letting pollen in the house.
I have a dehumidifier as I have a dust allergy aswell as animals and plants but other swear by a humidifier, might be worth researching.
I would try the honey even if it’s a placebo affect it’s worth it
There is also a potential link to food and allergies. Certain foods with birch pollen etc also worth a google
As your body is having an allergic reaction it’s causing inflammation so I know it’s super hard but eating none processed super clean food might help you body recover fast than a McDonald’s (even though it’s the last thing you want when feeling rubbish)

hedgehoglurker · 11/05/2023 21:29

DewinDwl · 11/05/2023 21:21

My hayfever is so much worse this year, too. It's like my normal OTC meds have no effect anymore. Poor DD is basically a streaming snot machine at the moment. ATM.

I didn't know you could mix fexo with other pills! Will try it tomorrow - I am ready to try anything to stop the itch itch itch scratch scratch sneeze sniffle.

Make sure it is a safe combination! I was prescribed fexofenadine with piriton (chlorphenamine).

SquirrelSoShiny · 11/05/2023 21:31

I'm suffering this year too and I don't know why. 😕

Fudgewomble · 11/05/2023 21:33

If anyone has any tips for u18s (who can’t have the really strong stuff) and who get anxiety from anything steroid based or Allevia I’d be really grateful. My DD14 is in a terrible way and the normal OTC stuff (loperimide and cetrizine - though never taken together) aren’t touching the sides of it

itsagranddayfordrying · 11/05/2023 21:40

Try dymista

Thunderpunt · 11/05/2023 21:43

If you can stretch to it the Kenalog injection (Around £80 here) is really worth it. DS has suffered for years, was on fexofenadine from February until august each year as soon as the tree pollen started. He's on his second year of the injection and it's been amazing. Considering the cost of 6 months of prescription charges, the extra amount for the injection instead is so worth it imo

Setyoufree · 11/05/2023 21:44

Have you tried eating cleanly for a few weeks? I used to eat a lot of sugar and now that I eat a lot less, my hayfever is barely there (having been previously on a combo of prescription meds)

sallydoodlecat · 11/05/2023 21:46

I've discovered a new nasal spray called Benacort. I spray twice in each nostril first thing and also take a Treathay fexofenadine. Again first thing as soon as I wake. I've suffered so badly for years but I started this spray a week ago and symptoms have completely cleared. This is the first year I have a dog and I've been so worried about walking him in the woods and how bad my hay fever would be but (touch wood) this has made such a difference. The pollen count in my area this last week hasn't been high. But I usually get it badly in May. Fingers crossed. Good luck. Hay fever is so debilitating and rotten.

LondonLovie · 11/05/2023 21:49

Get the injection!