Hay fever with every cold

[Sosickofsnot]

Every time I get a cold, I also get hay fever on top a short while later, which is really difficult to manage. Over the counter meds don’t really help, so I have to get prescription (120mg fexofenadine hydrochloride) and it takes ages to get under control. Every bloody time! So I’ll have a cold for a week or so, everything progressing as usual (snot clearing up, just some green-brown dregs left) and just as I’m getting better - I get absolutely slammed with hay fever (eyes streaming with water, completely clear watery snot gushing out and blocking all my sinuses). Is this normal? Is there a way to manage this to not turn every cold into a 3-week misery?

Ooops just realised I’ve accidentally posted in AIBU. Mumsnet, please can this be moved somewhere more appropriate

I don't think it's hay fever but a sinus problem. Hay fever is a different thing, although symptoms may be similar. As I'm sure you know, it's caused by an allergy to a specific pollen. I have a bout of sneezing every morning followed by a running nose. I definitely don't have hay fever. Perhaps you have an allergy to cold medicine?

I have similar, in fact it feels like I have hayfever all year round. You can buy fexofenadine in the shops, H&B have them and so do Amazon.

Yes you’re right @LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand it’s not hay fever as such, as I don’t have the itchy eyes that I get in summer. It’s a sinus issue, but why is it happening and what can I do to stop it? Colds never used to be like this for me

also, I don’t take any cold remedies! Just hot tea with honey and lemon

Colds can trigger sinus issues. I get this a lot. I deal with it by inhaling steam (hot water in a bowl, lean over with towel over head and inhale through nose) several times a day until it eases. The steam opens up nasal passages and reduces the congestion.
You can also use nasal sinus rinses.

I get this. It’s just sinus issues. I use saline spray and then start on beconase for a few weeks and it’s tends to sort it out.

Thank you for the tips. We’ve recently moved and are renovating, so there is a lot of dust, especially in my office, which can’t be helping