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?

Plastic syringes (I use 10ml ones) really help with nasal saline rinses.

I did a 'breathing course' at work recently. It looks really stupid but it works. Take a deep breath through your nose, pinch your nose shut and whilst holding your breath, move your head side to side and up and down. When you need to breath, breath put your nose. Do it a few times. Make sure you don't headbutt your desk whilst doing it (zoom session).

@Malcolmtheladymayoress

I did a 'breathing course' at work recently. It looks really stupid but it works. Take a deep breath through your nose, pinch your nose shut and whilst holding your breath, move your head side to side and up and down. When you need to breath, breath put your nose. Do it a few times. Make sure you don't headbutt your desk whilst doing it (zoom session).

Willing to try anything at this stage no matter how stupid I look!

@PurpleyBlue

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.

This. Put your head over a bowl with them in and put a towel over your head to make it all enclosed. Use twice the number of crystals that the pot says. You need the feeling that your head is going to blow off.

Also have you tried Halls extra strong?

Okay, that's not cleared it but has released some of the pressure.

It is horrific this year. I have a field out the back of my house and they have been baling it today and I am a mess...on saying that I am currently isolating and recovering from covid but my symptoms now are 100 per cent hay fever. There are steroid injections you can have...I don't think they are on the NHS...speak to you GP.

I am on fexofenadine and don't rate it to be honest. I find that each year a different antihistamine works better...it's just trial and error. Not much useful info there but I just want you to know you are not alone.

Have you talked to your GP about increasing the dose of fexofenadine? I am now on 180mg twice a day and that is really helping me

Have you tried one of these?

lloydspharmacy.com/products/lloydspharmacy-allergy-reliever

and as for using a neti pot, I know you're too swollen to flush the water through now but when you can get it to run through I would try to make it part of a regular routine before hayfever season next year and see if it helps to stop it flaring up in the first place.

Really hope you can find some relief.

@StoneofDestiny

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

Don't buy the Silentnight one. It works very well, but turns off automatically and BEEPS LOUDLY to let you know

Has woken me up too many times.

Use twice the number of crystals that the pot says. You need the feeling that your head is going to blow off.

I get this feeling with a very tiny amount so be careful and close your eyes!

@Shieldingending

Have you talked to your GP about increasing the dose of fexofenadine? I am now on 180mg twice a day and that is really helping me

I'm on that once a day. Does twice a day really work?

Try gently flushing both ears with water. Bit out there but if there's pollen in your ears it will be causes an allergic reaction which may result in your nose being problomatic.

Have you tried a decongestant such as Sudafed? It's a stimulant so take it in the mornings and check with your pharmacist if it's ok to take with everything else. Dries everything up.

After trying just about everything I finally cured my hay fever with homeopathic remedies. This is not something you can self prescribe for—you need treatment from a registered homeopath and it can take several months or up to 18 months in my experience. I’m prepared for a load of negative comments as some mumsnetters hate homeopathy without apparently having tried it but all I can say is, it worked for me.

I use a sinus rinse daily - look at NeilMed. I had it recommended by ENT for ongoing sinus issues and it massively helps with hayfever too.
Keep washing your face, fresh pillowcase every night, keep your bedroom window closed if you can - banish pollen from the bedroom.

Wash hair every night

Ice lollies might help reduce the swelling a bit

Use Otravine nose drops, adult ones, and use the drops rather than the nose spray.
You'll need to ask for them at the chemist but they can be bought over the counter without a prescription. They can unblock the stuffiest nose, but you need to apply them properly.
Use the dropper to suck up the liquid, lie on a bed with your head really tilted back, make sure the dropper puts a good amount of liquid quite high up into each nostril. You will need to insert the dropper a little way actually into the nose.
Then sit up and try to breathe through your nose. It will take a full 10 minutes, at first you will think it won't clear but assuming you have got a decent amount in, high enough up, it will....

To release pressure on your sinuses, use your thumbs to massage your eye sockets. Start with your eyebrows and work your way downward and inwards towards the corners of your eyes, where it meets your nose.

You need to press quite firmly with your thumbs against the eye socket bone and you will feel a sudden release/gush when you find the right spot.

It can be painful if you are really congested, but will be worth it.

Do you have a prescription nasal corticosteroid? Something like Avamys.

Also nasal saline spray or a neti pot.

Feel for you!
I use a solution of freshly boiled but cooled water, pink salt dissolved and bicarb and put it in my Neti pot and that really helps usually.

Don’t dry your bedsheets on the line. You’ll pick up pollen on them as they dry and make it worse.

Dry in a drier. It’ll help loads with sleeping.

You could try tapping/ massage?

What about a nasal dilator?