Hayfever

[BobMortimersPetOwl]

I'm suffering more this year from hayfever than I have done in years. I'm having to stay indoors pretty much all the time, my eyes are constantly red, swollen and itchy and I haven't had a clear nose in months.

I'm going on holiday to Devon next month and I'm starting to dread it. Its a big family get together and weather permitting, everyone will be outdoors mostly.

Would I be unreasonable to have a hayfever jab? It's a steroid injection but seems to be a low enough dose to mitigate most of the dangers of them.

@BobMortimersPetOwl If you think it will help you, of course you should!

Why do you think you'd be unreasonable, as long as your gp thinks it's a good idea?

Sympathies on the hayfever btw, I'm awful just now.

Sorry I should have put in my post that the injection probably lowers immunity generally during its live period (about 3 weeks I think). I've had both covid jabs but I'm overweight and my husband has cystic fibrosis (also had both covid jabs) so I'm obviously not wanting to place him at risk.

Do it if you need it - the pollen is certainly bad this year.

Have you tried Piriteze spray? I normally take Cetirizine tablets and use Sodium Cromoglycate eye drops, but I add the Piriteze when things are bad, and it really helps. Although in fairness you might as well just have the injection as take that cocktail!

Have you tried other prescription medications first?

The injection is amazing, I highly recommend it however I always find my hayfever eases significantly when I am at the coast so hopefully you will be better on your holiday anyway.

I'm taking a one a day tablet every couple of hours, going through a bottle of eye drops at least once a week and a nasal spray every 10 days or so. And they're doing nothing.

The pollen count is horrific this year. I've forgotten what it feels like to breathe easily.

You should feel better by the coast though, its inland where its worst.

Discuss it with your dr

Talk to your doctor first, they might be able to give you something more effective. I used to take ‘one a day’ tablets (plus all the other nasal sprays/eye drops) multiple times a day with zero effect; the doctor prescribed me fexofenadine tablets with a stronger nasal spray (will have to check the name of it when I’m home later) and I am so much better than normal now.

Yes came on to say ask your GP for fexofenadine - it's prescription only and works well.

Another sufferer here. My dad is very bad with it. Doctor told us the injection is not worth it.
To have th real benefit you need to have it in April/spring and as mentioned,more susceptible to infection/colds etc.

This is a particularly bad week as grass pollen has been delayed and is out with other spores at the same time.
Other things to try which work for my dad and I Optric spray for irritated eyes, nasal spray, vaseline inside the nostrils and snorting water! Sounds awful,feels slightly like drowning for a spot second 😫😂 but it really helps with stinging, pain and irritation in nose/eyes.

Yes there are lots of things your GP can prescribe that would be much better than you overdosing on OTC medications and that don't have the risk of steroid injections.

I didn't even realise there were stronger meds, so will book a consultation.

Thank you!

I have to say fexofenadine did literally nothing for me, but my DF finds it helps somewhat.

A one a day tablet every couple of hours? Please please talk to your GP urgently.

Do try different meds, weirdly I find just Beconase better than antihistamine nasal sprays. And a HEPA air filter in the bedroom makes a massive difference. Giving my body a break for a few hours every night seem to stop my immune system going into overdrive so much in the daytime too.

OP you have my sympathy as I too am really struggling at the moment.

I started on Fexofenadine tablets just under 4 weeks ago, plus twice a day prescribed eye drops and they've not done a great deal I use an OTC nasal spray daily too.

The one thing that does make a difference is smearing my eye lids, corners and underneath the eyes with Vaseline after a bath or shower, plus a cool bath helps too.
I look like a greasy freak but tbh I don't give a shit.

I look like a greasy freak but tbh I don't give a shit

That's the spirit

I look like a red eyed zombie and I wish I had your devil-may-care insouciance!

@TheYearOfSmallThings

I've got some massive Audrey Hepburn-style sunglasses too that I wear whenever I step foot out of the house. The neighbours probably tell their children to avoid the nutter at number x.

I've never had hayfever in my life but the last few years have been awful - my main symptom is red swollen eyelids so I look like I've been crying for days on end. I read somewhere that menopause can bring out allergies that you've never had before so wondering if it's that? (I'm 47 and definitely perimenopausal).

Does the Vaseline round the eyes stop the puffy eyelids @Iamnotminterested?

@WhatisThisPlease

It works two-fold really, one is it forms a bit of a physical barrier to stop as much getting in your eyes to irritate them, and secondly it soothes the redness and itchiness.

[quote Iamnotminterested]@WhatisThisPlease

It works two-fold really, one is it forms a bit of a physical barrier to stop as much getting in your eyes to irritate them, and secondly it soothes the redness and itchiness.[/quote]
Thank you! I'll try this 🤞🏻

Have you tried Fexofenadine? It's prescription only but makes a huge difference. DS has to have it as his asthma is triggered by pollen. Not drying washing outside is also v important and showering as soon as you come inside. Washing hair too as it's a pollen trap.

@Iamnotminterested

OP you have my sympathy as I too am really struggling at the moment.

I started on Fexofenadine tablets just under 4 weeks ago, plus twice a day prescribed eye drops and they've not done a great deal I use an OTC nasal spray daily too.

The one thing that does make a difference is smearing my eye lids, corners and underneath the eyes with Vaseline after a bath or shower, plus a cool bath helps too.
I look like a greasy freak but tbh I don't give a shit.

Have they given you the highest dose?