Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Hayfever

55 replies

Ohnopoo · 30/05/2020 15:03

I don’t want to come across like a total prat but my hayfever is dreadful at the moment and I’m not sure whether to let my boss know or not before I go back to work next week. We have a very detailed risk assessment involving hand washing after any sneeze or blowing nose. And I’m currently sneezing and blowing my nose multiple times per hour as well as having a permanently dripping nose.

I don’t really know what I want them to do about it but wondered if I should inform them that I’m a walking snot machine!

I’m taking tablets and nose spray & will phone gp tomorrow to see if I can get a prescription for fexodenadine.

OP posts:
StatisticalSense · 30/05/2020 15:16

Doesn't sound like you should be returning to work until your hayfever is under better control to be honest, although it is likely that you'll have to take standard sick leave rather than any special form of leave

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/05/2020 15:53

I'm having the same thoughts. I'm currently taking 3 cetirizine a day and using a nasal spray but I'm still coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose. We haven't got a date to go back yet but I'll speak to management when we do. I've got a prescription for fexodenadine so I'm hoping that helps. The nasal spray, Pirinase, does seem to help a bit.

StatisticalSense, it really isn't easy for everyone to get hayfever symptoms under control. I won't be able to take sick leave either a sod be off from March to September!

Pertella · 30/05/2020 15:56

Mine has flared up today Sad

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 30/05/2020 16:21

Any other year I wouldn’t dream of taking time off for it even though it’s miserable.
And I’d feel like I was taking the piss having just had 10 weeks ‘off’.

OP posts:
jcurve · 30/05/2020 16:29

Ask your GP for Nasonex (prescription nasal spray) as well as 180mg Fexofenadine. That’s the magic combo for me.

Going back may help - mine is worse this year & I’m sure it’s because I’m at home full time, rather than in a climate controlled office .

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 30/05/2020 16:32

Hmm. I’m definitely not going back to an air conditioned office 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohnopoo · 30/05/2020 16:33

Thank you for the nasal spray recommendation though

OP posts:
DoesJeffKnow · 30/05/2020 16:59

I've been suffering from horrific hayfever this year, but have found something which definitely helps.

I purchased a face mask from Debenhams which has a filter pocket in. I cut up a bit of kitchen roll add a few drops of Olbas Oil and put that in the filter pocket, then wear the mask every time I leave the house (you can machine wash them and they dry quite quickly).

I've been for a cycle ride with the kids today as well as a supermarket run wearing it (& sunglasses) and have stayed hayfever free all day.

It really makes a difference and as loads of people are wearing masks at the moment I don't feel ridiculous.

Already wondering how I'm going to cope next summer if mask wearing is no longer en vogue!

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 30/05/2020 17:04

Oh that’s actually a good idea!

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 31/05/2020 14:58

Unfortunately that wouldn't work for me as wearing anything over my face makes me panic and I feel as though I can't breathe. I'm glad it worked for you though, I'm pinning my hopes on the antihistamines!

Redolent · 31/05/2020 15:04

@DoesJeffKnow

I've been suffering from horrific hayfever this year, but have found something which definitely helps.

I purchased a face mask from Debenhams which has a filter pocket in. I cut up a bit of kitchen roll add a few drops of Olbas Oil and put that in the filter pocket, then wear the mask every time I leave the house (you can machine wash them and they dry quite quickly).

I've been for a cycle ride with the kids today as well as a supermarket run wearing it (& sunglasses) and have stayed hayfever free all day.

It really makes a difference and as loads of people are wearing masks at the moment I don't feel ridiculous.

Already wondering how I'm going to cope next summer if mask wearing is no longer en vogue!

Do you have a link to the mask? That’s a great idea
PilatesPeach · 31/05/2020 15:07

I get hayfever too and it is bad with the heat but today I have a cough although I have not been anywhere and live alone - are others getting coughs with their hayfever? I haven't really had a cough with it previously.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 31/05/2020 15:14

I always get a cough with mine which is a bit awkward this year!

PilatesPeach · 31/05/2020 15:27

yes - I definitely have a cough today and am coughing quite often feels like a tickly throat

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 31/05/2020 15:29

Yes I had a cough today-took me a bit by surprise!

OP posts:
Weepinggreenwillow · 31/05/2020 17:21

I always gwt terrible hayfever in grass pollen season and it is really ramping up at the minute. I get runny/blcoked nose, sneezing, sinus pain, ashtma, wheezing,cough, sore/itchy/gunky eyes , itching throat and ears.
I have to wear PPE at work and let me tell you sneezing 100 times a minute in a face mask is a challenge.
I am a bit concenred though because I can feel so unwell with my hayfever there is a genuine chance I could miss COVID symptoms if I was to get them.

PilatesPeach · 31/05/2020 17:45

Weeping yes same here I worry that I will miss COVID symptoms or that if I cough whilst walking my dog people will assume that my hayfever is Covid. Must be very hard in PPE for you.

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 01/06/2020 16:32

I have fexodendine and better eye drops! So happy!

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 01/06/2020 20:14

My fexofedenadine arrived today so I'll be starting on that tomorrow. My GP has also confirmed I can take Pirinese when I'm using my steroid cream so I no longer have to decide whether to treat my hay fever or ezcema!

What eye drops are you using? I haven't managed to find drops suitable for contacts lens wearers.

Original poster
Ohnopoo · 01/06/2020 23:02

An optrex one-sorry it says not for soft contact lenses

OP posts:
Pythonesque · 01/06/2020 23:32

I've also read that smearing a little Vaseline under and just inside the nose can help, in conjuction with your other treatments; by trapping some of the pollen allergens.

We've had a bad day after picking and preparing elderflowers to make cordial yesterday...

cyclingmad · 02/06/2020 00:04

Fexofendine hasn't been much use for me at all this year and I started taking money a month before the season started. Same with eye drops, just not doing a thing.

I completely lost my energy on Saturday, my system was just overwhelmed. I've found drinking copious amounts of mint tea has given me energy back as it reduces the inflammation in the body. But there is only so much you can drink!

Springcatkin · 02/06/2020 00:08

My ds has hayfever which has just got really bad. Seems late to me but guess everyone is the same.
Not heard of fexodenadine - what is it? May ask the GP for some ...
He has prednisolone when it gets too bad as it affects his asthma and he cannot breathe.

mummykauli7 · 02/06/2020 00:14

Hi op. Have you tried the hay-fever vaccine? It's supposed to be quite effective and have heard excellent things from people who have had it.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 02/06/2020 00:19

I am terrible this year. I have fexofenadine on prescription, and a spray called Dymista. This year, neither is helping! My nose is either streaming or thick, my throat itches, and I am coughing because it trails down my throat, particularly at night. Today I sneezed about 900 times. Fortunately my eyes aren’t bothered.