Hayfever in teens and impact on exams

[NewToAllThisStuff]

DS is 15 and will be heading into Y11. He completed his Y10 mocks last week which was peak grass pollen season. He suffers terribly - causes him to miss days off school where he hasn't slept etc. He takes the highest dose of medication which the dr will prescribe (180 fexo each morning plus an OTC loratadine each evening, all year round) but cant take the steroid nasal spray due to it narrowing his airways and it frightens me.

I'm worried about this time next year when he will be taking his final GCSE exams. Are there any special adjustments which can be made by schools/exam boards for hay fever sufferers? I'm sure it impacts so many students each year and I'm not sure what I expect they can say or do, but if next June is similar to this June I'm worried DS wont be in any fit state to even sit the exams.

What have others done who have been through it already?

TIA

I suffered like that when I did GCSEs over 20 years ago. No such thing as reasonable adjustments back then (as far as I'm aware). Just got on with it. Not sure whether anything would be done now.

If symptomatic during the exams you can ask for special consideration think its worth 1 or 2 % extra on their marks.

That sounds incredibly severe, your poor son. I worked with someone who had very severe hay fever and he had injections of some kind during the season - I don’t know what though or if they are suitable for teens, but perhaps there is something else that could be prescribed by a specialist? Ask GP for referral?

OP who advised that steroid nasal sprays weren't suitable? Have you had an ENT consultation on that?
They are honestly a game-changer for the exam period - he should start a week before exams to build up and use for 1-2 months. Surely can't cause issues over that tineframe unless he has a specific underlying condition?
Fwiw we had a senior paeds ENT at a major hospital advise otc adult pirinase for one dc when she was 4, precisely to open up passages for short term to help glue ear!

Thanks for the replies. @paranoidmumdroid1 I’ve told him not to use the nasal sprays due to the side effects (closing his airways and needing to use an inhaler - effects lasting a few days). GP can offer nothing more. I’ve practically begged for any referrals, injections, anything really.

We did actually receive an email today around ‘Exam Access Arrangement Assessments’ which school assess during the next few weeks and whilst these look to be for diagnosed disabilities it might be an opportunity for me to raise the question with the school

I highly recommend this book

Understanding Allergy (Penguin Life Expert Series, 4) https://amzn.eu/d/098pFcqB

And I also second nasal steroids.

I’ve explained in my PP you have to wait for the day of the exam and then apply via your school/college exam team and explain symptomatic on the day and the build up.

Provide supporting evidence from your GP.

He will be awarded a couple of % more in marks.

You can submit evidence just after the exams in one email stating each exam date and that he was symptomatic.

Huge apologies @Ski2025 I missed your reply so appreciate the repeater. I did email tue school last night so anticipate they will say the same

Back in the day everyone used to get Cortisone injections for exam season, is this still available??

No advice sorry but massive sympathy for your son. I had this 20 odd years ago, overuse of the Nadal speay gave me a nose bleed during my English exam. Its got a lot better over time, now I'm in my 40s I've pretty much grown out of it and just have 'normal' symptoms. Sending love x

My son suffers terribly.

Best thing he ever did (pharmacist advice) was to start using a saline nasal rinse.

He hated it at first called it water torture but now he willingly preps the water and does it as it brings so much relief for hours and hours.

You could also consider salt baths, salt rooms and spending time at the seaside.

DS also takes prescribed mediation and eye drops. It keeps him on an even keel.