Hayfever, has anyone really beat it? And how?

[TheOutside]

Used to use eyedrops, nose spray and cetrizone. Switched to Loratadine, worked for years. Moved onto Fexofenadine(sp) which worked brilliantly last year but not so well this year. I only just started taking it so maybe that's why? Are they the type of medication that actually builds in the body?

I'm fed up, 33 years old and hayfever as long as I can remember. It really reduces life quality and I don't want summers ruined forever by it so what are my next steps??

I use beconase and loratadine. I have to take it from two weeks before the season starts and keep taking it even when I don't have symptoms. I'm convinced the immunity builds up but no idea if that's medically correct.

Best hayfever year I ever had was when I was on maternity leave and ran outside every day, the gradual build up/exposure seemed to enable my immune system to handle it.

Otherwise starting antihistamines about a month before it kicks off is effective as it needs time to build up in your system.

Is it too late to take local honey once symptoms have started?

I've recently finished three years of immunotherapy for tree pollen. You can receive it for grass pollen, house dust mites etc. I was referred by my GP to the local allergy clinic. It involves injections over a few months prior to the start of the season. It's meant to be the nearest to a cure. It has helped me a lot, but does involve a time commitment on your part. I would talk to your GP as a first step.

I had immunotherapy as a teen didn't get rid of them but made it more bearable until the masking happened after having 4 DC and getting cats.

Silver birch is my most reacting allergen (higher than 10 on the 1-10 scale) and after DC3 developed oral allergy syndrome due to it

Oddly, I find gently flushing out my ears with water helps to stop my nose running. I always wonder if others would also find a relief from it. It's as if there's pollen in my ears so my body makes my nose run to try flush it out. Just flushing them very gently. Or maybe the sensation sends a signal to the brain. I also find eating really well and making sure I'm well hydrated eases my symptoms.

Mine is a lot less severe than it used to be. In the last few years I've started doing yoga, and in my current class we have learned several breathing techniques. I've gone to class with slightly blocked nasal passages and it gently clears them, so I don't find it too outlandish to suggest it has helped with hayfever symptoms also.

Been watching this thread and just revisited it as I've got a GP appointment to discuss immunotherapy for next year coming up. Just wanted to touch upon what @Sunday1032 said about flushing your ears with water - I've spoken to an acupuncturist and he said there are 24 points in your ears that they use in acupuncture to treat hayfever, so maybe that's a link?

I’m sorry I have no advice but just wanted to give a squeeze because I am super suffering in particular this year! Constant naps, streaming eyes to the point of near blindness and feeling dizzy and disoriented when conscious. I live in the countryside and dread when the crops aren’t in my favour!

Beconase spray has pretty much cured mine, not had so much as a sniffle the last 3 years that I've been using it. Try things like showering each evening to get the pollen off, washing glasses/sunglasses, not drying clothes and bed sheets outside as well

Two pregnancies and stopping drinking alcohol in 2005 pretty much cured mine.
I get bothered during a couple of weeks in late May and I am guessing that there is still a pollen that I react to. I find that snorting water really helps.