To ask how I can unstuck my nose?

[SpnBaby1967]

Severe hayfever.

Already on maximum levels of steroids and antihistamines and barely functioning.

My nose is so stuffed up, but that swollen stuffiness as opposed to mucus stuffiness. Stuffed so badly I'm struggling to swallow and even talk 🤦🏻‍♀️

I've tried steam, humidifier, vicks inhale stick thingy, the "hold your nose" trick, the pressure points trick.

I cant use decongestant sprays (despite the fact they do work) because I'm intolerant to them and the tablets like sudafed make zero difference.

If I walk around the pressure in my nose eases a bit, not enough the breathe through my nose but enough to not feel like my face is going to explode. But clearly I cant walk around 24 hours a day.

I know the incoming rain will be me some relief but since thursday when my hayfever really kicked in I've not slept more than 2-3 hours a night.

Am I missing anything else? Any other secret tricks I'm not aware of?

Ice? Doesn't cold constrict the blood vessels? Might help x

Olbas oil on a tissue.

Someone also suggested these from Superdrug?

Nasal washing? Sounds vile but it can work

‘Breathe right’ strips? The brand ones are the best unfortunately (expensive)

You have my utmost sympathies - it's bloody awful. My hay fever is through the roof at the moment. Are you having the steroid injections?

Acetyl cysteine? It's mucolytic so, if there's any crap bunging you up, it will thin it which helps it to drain.

Yy to nasal washing/nasal douche

Mix up half a cup warm water, some salt and some bicarbonate of soda. Hold some in the palm of your hand and sniff it into your nose and then put through your mouth, alternate nostrils.

Deeply effective, if your nose isn’t too blocked already of course .

Saline sinus rinsing? I have rhinitis rather than hayfever, but I know what you mean and it works for me.

medicinemarketplace.com/sterimar-hayfever-and-allergies-nasal-spray/?gclid=CjwKCAjwn6GGBhADEiwAruUcKj_PAac-L3cofVMm2e4yXfApOn3oZxUwhZNlbotUgHpg-m-UNCsjDRoCcTAQAvD_BwE
Something like this might help. It's just a salt water spray but a bit easier to use than some

This is what I use.

lloydspharmacy.com/products/neilmed-adult-sinus-rinse-starter-kit-10-sachets

There's a spray from beconase I think called nature-ease. It is supposed to coat your sinuses so that the allergens can't land and stick properly (similar to the way Vicks first defence works against viruses).
My GP prescribed a different steroid to my usual when I got desperate. Sterimar saline nasal spray helps to clear out too.

Order a Neti Pot and flush. I soothed and ultimately eliminated a sinus infection with one. Just be very careful to make sure you clean it properly each time.

@FindingMeno

Olbas oil on a tissue.

That's likely to make any inflammation caused by allergies worse, unfortunately.

@Royalbloo

Someone also suggested these from Superdrug?

I bought these too. Great for easing my eyes but no good on my nose.

@flossletsfloss I am on 180mg fexofenadine tablets which is the maximum dose.

I've been trying a salt water rinse but my nose is so swollen inside I cant seem to get any liquid through (sorry, gross I know) it just sort of sits in my nostril till I move my head and it runs back out.

I feel you. I ironically live next to a hay field too 🤦‍♀️ I've just forked out for an air purifier, it is already working. I've tried many pills, sprays, bee products, balms etc and nothing touches it.

just a thought, but could you have covid? I've seen a few people on social media saying their first symptom with the new delta variant was like hay fever, but which couldn't be controlled with the usual treatments? might be worth doing a lateral flow test if you have any

My HEPA filter has done wonders for my sleep - I have a small air purifier than runs in my bedroom only. I always wake up with a clogged nose and sore throat from mouth breathing if I forget to turn it on before I go to bed.

Maybe try a couple of ibuprofen to take the swelling down. I've no idea if this is OK combined with steroids etc so safest to check.
Keep windows closed. Don't hang washing outside if pollen count is high. If you do give it a good shake before bringing it in.

Vaseline around the entrance to your nose to eliminate some of the extra irritants from entering might help going forwards too? X

@ Iwantafuckingbreak
I've just forked out for an air purifier
Any recommendations as to which one?

Can you use Beconase?

I have the dyson big air purifier in the bedroom. I havent noticed much difference other than to my bank balance

Ibuprofen, that's a good idea. I havent tried that.

It's not covid, its absolute classic hayfever as I have all the other hayfever symptoms but keep them at bay with medication. It's literally just my nose, I'm not exaggerating when I say its swollen closed.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Can you use Beconase?

Using that too 🤦🏻‍♀️.

I mean, it's insane how bad it is this year. I mean it's always bad but this year is something else. Probably from the protracted wet spell which changed to a boiling hot spell overnight. Its sent pollen into overdrive.

Go to pharmacy and ask for menthol crystals. Put a tiiiiiny bit on the end of a spoon and put in hot water and stir. Do not drink. It's way stronger than olbas etc.