Hay fever

[LoopTheLoops]

What actually helps hay fever? I’m sick of miserable summers because nothing seems to work ☹️

It depends on your symptoms and what works for you, both are variable.

I'm currently taking antihistamines (cetirizine - doubled up when needed), preventer inhaler, steroid nose spray and sodium cromoglycate eye drops (Opticrom or similar) for mine.

My ds takes cetirizine with Piriton top-up if needed, plus eye drops, and his dad only needs a nose spray and occasional AHs if it's a bad day.

Kenalog injection. It's a steroid injection taken at the beginning of the season to suppress the initial immune response to allergens.

You'll have to go privately and you can't take it every year but it's life changing.

Thanks both, I didn’t know you could get an injection that’s definitely something to consider for next year!

This year I’m taking fexofenadine and it’s working much better than other antihistamines I’ve tried before. I’m still a bit sneezy but a lot less than usual and don’t have the itchy eyes or runny nose that I usually get.

I got it on from an online pharmacy as my GP surgery is useless during covid so seemed easier to miss them out altogether.

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn Can you take 2 antihistamines do you know? I see you say you can take 2 cetirizine?

I'm on nasonex, opticrom (every day) plus antihistamines (take when need) but today my eyes have swelled up and closed and now a whole load of pus is coming out of them

I was covered in hives but I took a cetirizine and they have calmed down - just left with redness. Breathing all fine but I look like I've been punched in the face.

Would like to take another antihistamine before bed but not sure if I can. Did try the 111 service as was worried at one stage but there's many hours waiting and the swelling/hives have stopped getting worse/spreading.

Tried to look it up - doesn't say you can't take 2 cetirizine or 1 cetirizine 1 loratadine?

How do you access a private gp to get that injection?
Fexofenadine were brilliant for me a few years ago but now don't seem to work!

Montelukast, fexofenadine (both on prescription) and beconase nasal spray in conjunction. From seriously unwell to no symptoms within a week,

I was wondering about that with the mixing as I didn’t realise you could, or double dosage, is fexofenadine prescription only then?

I'm on fexofenadine and mometasone nasal spray on prescription. Also Superdrug HF eye drops.
I used to take Piriton but mixed with my anti depressants I used to fall asleep again before 9am.
A friend of mine swears by hayfever face wipes but I haven't tried them yet.

You can buy fexo online with a consultation; it's prescription only in the UK

Kenalog is available through private clinics - google will show the closest to you. It's about £70

[quote BlueFishRedFish]@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn Can you take 2 antihistamines do you know? I see you say you can take 2 cetirizine?

I'm on nasonex, opticrom (every day) plus antihistamines (take when need) but today my eyes have swelled up and closed and now a whole load of pus is coming out of them

I was covered in hives but I took a cetirizine and they have calmed down - just left with redness. Breathing all fine but I look like I've been punched in the face.

Would like to take another antihistamine before bed but not sure if I can. Did try the 111 service as was worried at one stage but there's many hours waiting and the swelling/hives have stopped getting worse/spreading.

Tried to look it up - doesn't say you can't take 2 cetirizine or 1 cetirizine 1 loratadine? [/quote]
If you're having a bad reaction take another AH! Cetirizine and piriton are fast acting, so are useful as top ups for when needed. I told my allergy doc what I take and he didn't think it was excessive. You can look up safety data online for reassurance. Standard regimen for chronic urticaria (which I was misdiagnosed with for years) is 4 x cetirizine a day.

I didn't realise how effective my AHs were until I had to come off them for allergy testing and had hives and wheezing from hayfever.

Do keep an eye out for breathing/airway problems and also high HR/low BP as they indicate a systemic reaction and you might need an ambulance.

Honestly the best thing for me has been seeing a specialist and having sublingual immunotherapy. I spent a lot of miserable years being very allergic to pollen

thanks - i took another, hives all gone now but woke up with my eyes glued shut fgs! hoping they get better today as the day goes on

does anyone know if a GP could do more for me than opticrom eye drops? they aren't infected, just super sensitive to pollen. It's like getting blood out of a stone getting a GP appointment at the moment and it's not an emergency but if I could get some drops that would make them more comfortable, I'd probably push for an appointment. Don't want to bother if there's not more they can do anyway

BlueFishyou could try a pharmacist first.

Thanks, pharmacist said this is the strongest they can give (pharmacy) but just wasn't sure if GP can do more. They are actually opening now (my eyes) so appear to be getting better!

@WatchingTheRaindrops

Honestly the best thing for me has been seeing a specialist and having sublingual immunotherapy. I spent a lot of miserable years being very allergic to pollen

How can I find this? Sounds good.

DH has very bad hay fever. Apart from pharmaceuticals he has his hair short and washes it every day. Vaseline in nostrils. Glasses/sunglasses and washes them. Limited time outdoors. Clothes and sheets washed frequently and NOT dried outdoors.

I saw an allergy consultant at the hospital

I had really bad hayfever and breathing issues until recently and I used to take double anti-histamines. I mentioned to the doctor and she said it was OK to take double but only when needed otherwise take 1. Mine stopped with the AZ vaccine, might be coincidence though.

I'm on mometasone and have just picked up a prescription for fexofenodine and really hope it starts bloody working soon!

I was taking two, sometimes three lortadine a day, plus Beconase.

I don't see AH as a take when need option to be honest, I take them every day during hayfever season otherwise it is impossible to get back on top of symptoms again.

Anecdotally, my eyes are a lot better when I wear contacts instead of glasses, I think more pollen gets in with the glasses!