Anybody else suffering with hayfever that doesn't normally get it?

[Clevs]

As per the title. I've never had hayfever before but for the last week my eyes have been really itchy, dry, sore and now also bloodshot.

I bought some Optrex allergy drops from the chemist a few days ago that don't seem to be helping at all but I'm still putting them in more than what I should be in the hope that they may work.

Anything else I could try? Is there any point going to the doctors?

The lady in the chemist said a lot of people are suffering this year. I remember having itchy eyes for about two weeks in 2011ish but apart from that have never had hayfever.

I've had it for the past two years and I'm 30 this year has been the first time I've needed to take something for it. It's odd because I've never had hay fever before. I've also developed a Mold allergy.

Yes, I'm 37 and this is the first summer I have ever had hay fever. It started around mid June and generally I get the worst symptoms overnight - a dry cough, bunged up nose and itchy eyes. I've taken certrizine tablets in the evening to try and help, but I can't take them during the day as they make me drowsy

I’ve got it this year for the first time too.

Yes, first time sufferer at the age of 60,

Yes, this has happened to my DH. He keeps saying to me 'but I don't get hayfever...'

Usually get a some very mild symptoms but a good bit worse this year.
See a pharmacist, not the GP.

Yes - the last time I had it was 2011. My eyes have been swelling hugely. They’ve also been weeping and the skin around them is red and inflamed. Horrible. I also have a scratchy throat that feels “tight”, as if there’s something in it and, to cap it all, an awful rash - bright red and sore - over my arms.

OP - have you tried anti-histamine nasal drops? You can get them OTC. They’ve been the most effective medication so far for me. A silicon eye mask kept in the fridge has also helped a bit. Sympathies for you - it’s miserable.

@BrambleandCuthbert I haven't tried nasal drops as it's just my eyes that are affected. I'll go back to the chemist this week and see if they've got anything better than Optrex.

Glad to hear it's not just me affected for the first time though🤧

Apparently the nasal drops can help even if your nose isn’t affected (mine isn’t). Something to do with it blocking the receptors that the allergens lodge in.

Never had hay fever before. This year has been horrific. I have antihistamines every day, a prescribed nose spray and eye drops. I'm having nose bleeds and feel crap. Apparently gin helps!

Yes first time sufferer mid fifties. It is a bit better now the tree pollen has reduced.

Never had it before either. Whenever I walk through the park near my house at the moment I get violent sneezing fits and my nose and eyes are streaming

I get it some years and not others. This year is one of the worst. My tips:

Benadryl tablet around 9am
Wear sunglasses all day (including inside if you have lots of doors/windows open)
If you wear contacts take them out in the evening
Washing your face (just with water) regularly can help too

My DS (20) started getting mild hay fever a few years ago. This year has been absolutely awful for him. Antihistamines, nasal spray etc barely touching his symptoms. Totally bunged up or leaking nose, itchy eyes and ears, sore throat, bleeding nose, headache and generally feeling wiped out.
I used to get hay fever like this when I was younger too. It's horrible seeing him go through it.
Hope you get some relief soon......I'm hoping for rain.

^The key thing is acting before you get symptoms. Taking meds and putting on sunglasses after you start itching and sneezing is much less effective than pre emptive treatment.