Hay-fever keeping dd up at night

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Dd still can't sleep due to her hay fever symptoms - blocked nose, cough, itchy eyes etc.

She's had a spoonful of dry cough syrup, an Allevia tablet, drops in her eyes and Vicks rubbed around her nostrils. The noise from her room has stopped for now, but it's clear to me she needs something stronger.

How are people managing their symptoms amd what treatment has been effective for rhinitis in particular? She seems to think it's worse this year.

I've suggested she makes an appointment with the GP tomorrow.

Reading some older threads, there is an injection, which for her, might be worth looking into but where would we go to get it?

TIA

Has she tried a drowsy antihistamine for nighttime? DD finds chlorphenamine maleate (Piriton) really effective both in controlling her symptoms and helping her sleep better

Thank you for yoir reply. I don't think she's had that particular one, but I'll look in Superdrug the next time I'm there.

I would make an appointment with the GP as they can prescribe stronger eye drops, nasal spray and antihistamines depending on how old your daughter is.

Hay fever has been miserable this year. I hope she feels better soon

The beconase nasal spray is the only thing that even touches the sides for me, definitely worth a try!

As a lifelong hay fever sufferer I've yet to find the holy-grail for sinus & nasal problems - I've tried overdosing on everything and nothing has ever seemed to touch it. Fortunately, after roughly 40 years of it, my symptoms do now seem to be improving slowly.

For the eyes - If you're not already - I'd highly recommend "Sodium Cromoglicate" eyedrops. I normally use OptiCrom or Optrex brands.

I know you're using drops already, but thought I'd mention the "Sodium Cromoglicate" ingredient.

I learned early on that regular "For Tired Eyes" type drops, sprays & eye-baths didn't do anything. But switching to Sodium Cromoglicate drops was life-changing and helped make the rest of it more bearable!!

Good luck!

I have hay-fever this year and although I get a touch of it year on year this year is particularly bad.

I used to nearly scratch my eyes out, and have a constant runny nose when I was a child so now as a near 60 year old this is what I do. I rarely touch my eyes even out of hayfever season. If I really have to touch my eyes for some reason I use a tissue and have washed my hands before but this is only if I had something in my eye for example. It's hard as sometimes it's an incredible urge but I find that if I do scratch my eyes it just makes it 10 times worse.

In hayfever season i have a shower before bed as I feel like the pollen has accumulated on my clothes and hair and then lying in it makes it worse. I change my pillow cases and pyjamas frequently for the same reason (i also have a dust allergy) i have a throw over my bed (or a sheet) which I fold back gently at night so that any pollen that may have settled on the bed is contained. I never open my bedroom windows, just the bedroom door if needs be.

This is not based on any science on my part it's just how I like to think it might help. I take antihistamines periodically but avoid nasal sprays as I read somewhere recently that prolonged use is not good.

My dd was the same, we had a consultation with the gp who prescribed a nasal spray with antihistamine & mild steroid which she takes twice a day - it’s called Fluticasone Propionate and has been an absolute game changer. Massive symptom relief and nights are sooo much better. They also prescribed eye drops but she hates using them so doesn’t but has been ok without.

Dd is 17, not sure how old yours is and what min age for this is. GP also said this was the lower / milder end of what could be prescribed so if it wasn’t effective to go back, but so far haven’t needed to.

Thank you all.

@JamNittyGritty dd is 16, so old enough to take herself to the GP. I will mention the Fluticasone Propianate to her, thanks.

I've taken a copy of the list of things she was prescribed with last year and have asked her to go to the GP with thatamdlnd explain how her symptoms have got worse.

OP if it’s unbearable and really impactfing on her year on year, ask for referral to allergy clinic. She could potentially be eligible for immunotherapy. It’s been life changing for my DS, his main symptoms were rhinitis, including nose bleeding.

I get prescribed 180mg fexofenadine and it's been a game changer for me along with a steroid nasal spray but the last few days have been horrendous.

I think I read somewhere that the injection isn't recommended anymore.

The injection is amazing but is no longer available on the NHS so do your research. It's called Kenalog. DH suffers terribly with hayfever to the point where his eyes swell shut so he has it every year otherwise he can't function. We just googled and there was a pharmacy not too far away which was doing a drop in. Within a couple of hours he was feeling much better and this morning he's been out in the garden pegging out washing!

Does anyone know why the injection was stopped - funding or side affects / risks??

First, she needs to stop with the Vicks, regular decongestant use causes congestion!

Instead, she needs, as others have said, a steroid nasal spray. She needs to Google how to use it properly as well used they are highly effective.

Allevia, fexofenadine, actually gave me awful insomnia, so she could try another AH.

Make sure her bedding and clothes aren't dried outdoors and she could also try an air purifier for her room. Regular dusting and hoovering will help.

Thanks @Scampuss. We only used Vicks as she was desperate and didn't have her prescription one anymore. Now that her exams are over, she will have no excuse for not tidying her room!

Dd has managed to get a prescription for all the items from last year but they will only be available after 48 hours.

In the mean time, she shall make do with the lower dose fexofenadine -Allevia and I'll get her some OTC nasal spray containing fluticasone propionate.

The thing that helped my son was showering right before bed every night, washing his sheets more regularly and drying them and his pyjamas inside.
Dust also bothered him so we washed his walls and then hoovered his bedroom everyday. I don't know which of the problems were hayfever and which were dust but he had easier nights after we started doing all that on top of the meds

Due to risk of side effects. It's is a high dose steroid which once injected obviously can't be removed. Not recommended by the NHS, British Society for Allergy or Allergy UK. It is worrying to see it being offered on the high street.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/