I want to share info about DDs allergy treatment in case it’s helpful

[StripyCarpets]

DD is 20 and her allergies have got worse over the last few years. her symptoms have included: extremely sore and swollen eyes every morning (severe blepharitis), this goes on throughout the day but has been worse first thing. She would say it’s been debilitating. Also sneezing, constant blocked nose, overproduction of phlegm, eczema.
We went to a top notch allergy clinic and she was tested for various allergens, and she tested positive for several pollens, dust and dust mites.
Her treatment has changed her life, and I wanted to share in case this is useful to anyone.
Dr prescribed:
fexofenadine antihistamine which is available over the counter (this has been incredible and Dr says she can use long term)
Elidel cream; prescription only. (DD used daily for a month and long term use is not recommended. Dr warned that some level of rebound after stopping this was possible, so weaning off it after a month may be necessary. DD did not suffer any issues with stopping this and now occasionally uses it if there is a mild flare-up.
Dymista Nasal spray, prescription but I think you can buy a version online; once a day, DD says it's horrible and she doesn't think she needs it. Check re long term use.

The thing we were blown away with was fexofenadine as we hadn’t heard of it before and it’s been a game changer.

I'm glad it works for your DD, unfortunately it gives my DD migraines, and it makes me nauseous. Isn't it weird (and annoying!) how people react so differently to drugs 😕

If the OTC one stops working as well for your DD the GP can prescribe a stronger version. Think it's 240 instead of 180mg.

Ah, thank you for this. It’s a reminder that there is no universal magic cure. I wish I’d been able to try it twenty years ago when my hay fever was horrendous. I’m mostly better now so don’t need it, but I wonder if it would have helped.
thanks for the info too.

I discovered fexofenadine in the last couple of years, I think when I was having a particularly itchy eczema flare. It helped with my skin, but a friend said it's the only thing that works with her allergies and she gets it prescribed for hayfever, so now I take it for that. It's literally the only antihistamine that works for me! I notice absolutely zero difference with loratifone or cetirizine, but this eliminates my hay fever within hours.

I can also highly recommend a nasal spray called avamyst (I think that's the right spelling... Or very very similar!). It helps a lot with itchy eyes! My practice nurse prescribed it for my eyes not my nose and it definitely worked. It did also get rid of that awful sneezy runny nose too, and I don't need to use it every day.

Also, you can buy the prescription strength stuff from pharmacies (I got about 3 months worth from an online pharmacy - you have to do a consult thing first, but they can prescribe it you) and it's a lot cheaper than buying it over the counter, and it was cheaper than the cost of my prescription normally is.

Thanks for sharing. It's really useful to share allergy solutions as it's so bloody difficult a lot of the time to pinpoint the cause and find a treatment that works.

My daughter has/had severe eczema and the only thing that has really worked has been Dupixent and Opzelura.

DD developed a severe dust mite allergy at 20. It was so awful we also did the private allergy clinic and dermatology route. Fexo was pretty life changing for her.

Another game changer was taking practical steps to minimise her exposure. A damp dusted bedroom, HEPA filter hoover but most importantly a protected bed. We used Allerguard and it’s truly amazing. She also has a travel set.

Finally, we also trialled a three year immunotherapy course (sadly private) which was essentially Essence of Dust Mite liquid under her tongue once a day. We weren’t initially sure of its efficacy but some time after the END of the course her sensitivity in general really declined eg hayfever less severe, could do a night in a hotel bed without mattress protection.

DD’s eczema was horrific; at one point the GP said we were close to hospitalisation. I hope your daughter continues to improve and that the above is helpful!

Thanks OP, it's good to hear about someone getting relief from a long term condition.

Fexofenadine and also for me on a night, Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride. They’re a bit reluctant to prescribe but do agree about once a year to give me a month or two’s dosage of tabs. I use it sparingly for the worst nights so I can sleep!

My allergies are due to suspected mcas, I’ve just been started on a trial of medication- loratidine, famotidine and montelukast so really hoping after years that it has some effects as I’ve been struggling with allergy symptoms so much

I got this advice over 10 years ago on here so always share; as it’s had such a life changing impact on DS.
Immunotherapy.
I asked for a referral from the GP after a recommendation here, DS was missing school or being sent home, trips to A&E due to hayfever. GP never once mentioned it as a possibility for route of treatment. But once we were referred DS was able to get the treatment needed. Injections of pollen of period of a month for 3 years. He can now cope and just use over counter treatment like loratadine etc. If it’s really bad, ask if you can be referred.

Dymista has worked brilliantly for my son
It's useful to know all the different options!

Glad things have improved for her...

My DD has just started Elidel cream, so after a month see needs to reduce this gradually would you say? Dd uses this at night. Does your DD use any other cream in the morning? It's only DD elbows and wrists that's affected.

Thankyou

I’m glad it’s worked fit your daughter. I’ve been in prescription fexofenadine for years and unfortunately it doesn’t help at all. I’ve literally just taken 2x180s, a Loratadine and a cetirizine. I’ll have to repeat this about 2pm and then take a penergan before bed. Eye drops may well be water and my nose drips like a tap. I struggle with mild allergy sympomts all year but mid may my immune system goes absolutely haywire and it doesn’t stop until mid July. I also have adhd and auto immune diseases and apparently is linked. My son has umpteen nut allergies and also has oral allergy syndrome. Allergies are rampant in my family ( also with adhd).

Dd has been on 4 fexofenadine a day for a few years now. It’s better than cetirizine but isn’t always effective for her.
Ds takes it when his allergies flare I don’t find it works as well on him but I think he needs to take it everyday not just when he starts itching and sneezing.

Dd is under immunology and she will be having immunotherapy.
In the meantime she is seeing a private doctor for injections for her hayfever as it’s out of control now and nothing is helping.

This is all really interesting – thank you. My daughter has been taking 180 mg effects of fexafenadine three times a day, she has tried dymista nasal spray and mometasone nasal spray – symptoms are absolutely awful. I question whether any of these make any difference at all?? She had a fever injection this year, that was great for about a month but seems to have worn off now. She is hopefully starting immunotherapy before next summer. Really good to hear couple of previous posters say that has helped.

This has been very interesting for me too. I had terrible hay fever about 18 years ago, it was awful for about 5 years and it has now improved to the point that I now get several sneezy days a year, but not too much worse than that. I’m so sorry to hear that some of you have been battling this your whole lives, and continue to do so. Also, you’ve made me aware that my DD has relatively mild symptoms; I know she would not agree with this, but some of you and your dc are really struggling.
thanks all for sharing.

@Sunshineandrainbowre your question about Elidel. As is obvious I’m no expert, but our Dr said every day for a month then as required afterwards. He was not keen on daily use because although it is non-steroid, it is a chemical formula.
good luck,

Fexofenadine was amazing for me the first year I was prescribed it and still is effective to a degree but 16 years later it’s not the same as the first year I took it.

That’s exactly what my daughter and I have found. When we saw a consultant the other day I asked whether the body could become accustomed to it so it was less effective but she said this was not the case. I do wonder why it has stopped working as effectively though?

My DS has had success with fexonfendaine and dymista. The advice from the allergy specialist was to use Sterimar saline solution to clean the nasal passages before using the dymista. This apparently allows the dymista to work more effectively and it has made a big difference to my son.

Thanks for this, really useful as the OTC one has stopped working for my dd.

I have found taking it about a month before my symptoms start gives a slightly better effect than taking it long-term or just taking it when needed.