Hayfever flare up - suggestions?

[Lexilooo]

DH has been taking daily Loratadine since before the tree pollen started and thought he had cracked it this year until today.

He's horribly snotty and sneezy now. The sneezes are mega volume and frequent and he can't stop his nose running for more than about 10 seconds. He's miserable.

So is there anything else he can take or use do while continuing with the Loratadine that doesn't involve a trip to the GP?

Certirizine upsets his stomach and he is trying to work so doesn't want anything that will make him too drowsy. Something like a nasal spray would be ideal.

I've had a nasal spray in the past, which was great but it was prescribed.

Could your DH speak to the GP over the phone?

Speaking to the GP on the phone isn't possible, and obviously a GP won't speak to me. I was wondering whether there is anything available over the counter that can be taken on top of the Loratadine on bad days really.

I might have to check out whether the GP has an email or text consultation service that he could use.

There are various antihistamine nasal sprays that are available OTC without a problem - beconase is one. Periton does one etc.

But if it's this bad, personally I agree that he should be discussing with a GP and getting a prescription level product. Most GP surgeries are offering some kind of service by phone and if they really can't, then he should go in - wear a mask, take anti bacterial etc. I'd suspect a doctor's surgery is a) pretty focused on constant hygiene and b) actively discouraging covid patients. I know from experience with DH that if it is left to run rampant it will just get worse and worse and I don't see that as something you want to risk.

Oh and also, once the hay fever is active and there's huge snot production etc, I've found that a decongest taken alongside the anti histamine can help. So in my case, I'll take an antihistamine first, alone. But if i na few hours my sinuses are still blocked etc, I'll take some sudafed (usually without paracetamol as I prefer to take as little medication as possible) to help with the effects of the hay fever. He could try that. (My allergies are also tree related and symptoms are general itchiness and uncomfortableness and/or sneezing/blocked/runny nose).