Antihistamines just aren't working

[PolkaDotMankini]

I've been taking antihistamines since Easter but this week has been horrible for hayfever. My eyes are puffy, my lower eyelids are cracked, my nose is streaming, my skin is itchy, I have a headache and I'm utterly exhausted. I used my lunch break to sleep.

I'm using Pirinase Nadal spray, Piriton, cetirizine hydrochloride, loratadine, fexofenadine and eye spray. I'm using Vaseline on my nose and eyelids. I use local honey year-round.

This is just unbearable. What am I missing?

[RedPlumbob]

I don’t know OP, but I’m the same right now. Miserable.

[PolkaDotMankini]

*nasal spray. Maybe Nadal would cure it!

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

Eye drops. Better nasal spray.

Are your actually taking all 4 different anti histamines at once? There's really no point, we were told to different ones max what you increase side effects to no other benefit.

Sunglasses, air purifier with HEPA filter

[CornishPorsche]

You need to see a GP. Did they tell you to take all those different antihistamines?

I'm on certirizine three times a day and fexofenadine at night. Avamys nasal spray twice a day. Antihistamine eyedrops. GP took me off lots of other things, especially another nasal spray I had.

I'm supposed to have all windows shut in the house, but it's not realistic for us. I wash my face several times a day, clean pillowcases every other day, two robot hoovers running around (one upstairs, one down) every afternoon.

It's helping.

[TheRoadToRuin]

I don't you're missing anything, hay fever can be crap.
I was just the same until my 50s when it seems to have improved dramatically. I still get it but not to the same extent.
I used to treasure two weeks abroad in June, just for a break from hay fever.
In case you haven't tried these...
Never hang washing outside, especially bedding. Don't have a window open at night, use a fan.
Ask GP for a steroid nasal spray.

[worriedandannoyed]

Another tip is to wash your hair before bed and change your pillowcase every night.

I feel for you, it's awful

[Borgonzola]

The usual Claritin etc weren't working for me a few years ago so I started requesting chlorphenamine maleate, which works better.

This year I'm pregnant so can't take anything

[Sistanotcista]

Do you know what you’re allergic to? Have you ever considered immunotherapy?

[3beesinmybonnet]

I had steroid injections many years ago but you have to have them before the season starts. They helped though they didn't stop it. I don't know if they still do them though.

[dizzydizzydizzy]

I don't know but as PPs have said see your GP. It sounds awful for you.

[PolkaDotMankini]

No, I haven't seen a GP this year. I have in previous years but the stronger nasal spray and tablets they've prescribed haven't been any better than the OTC versions.

Washing hair and pillowcases is a good tip. I have an air purifier and keep the windows closed, but no HEPA filter. I am quite slatternly so increasing the cleaning wouldn't hurt I suppose.

[PolkaDotMankini]

@Sistanotcista

Do you know what you’re allergic to? Have you ever considered immunotherapy?

I don't know specifically what sets off hayfever symptoms for me. I'm definitely allergic to furry animals (sadly - I'd love a pair of cats!). Immunotherapy hadn't crossed my mind.

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

Take yourself down to the coast for a day. When DS16 is really really bad and can have no more steroids we do that and the relief just for the day is spectacular.

[hedgehoglurker]

@Borgonzola

The usual Claritin etc weren't working for me a few years ago so I started requesting chlorphenamine maleate, which works better.

This year I'm pregnant so can't take anything

Chlorphenamine is standard Piriton if you are in UK, which NHS website says you can use in pregnancy. Perhaps check with pharmacy/ gp/ midwife rather than suffer with hayfever symptoms.

[hedgehoglurker]

That was to @Borgonzola, but quote missed by app ...

[Borgonzola]

Gah! The pharmacy must have lied to me.
I was going to ring GP anyway. Thank you

[emmeline7725]

I could have written your post last year. And, in fact, every year of my life. This year I felt the only option left was to pay for the kenalog injection. It has changed my life. I can actually go outside now without many symptoms. I do have to take an antihistamine now and again but they actually work now, whereas previously they had no effect at all. I can't recommend it enough.

[Hullabaloo31]

I think you've covered everything, it's just miserable. Thankfully although I get it badly, it's not for too long a period so just have to ride it out. I don't find drying washing indoors or washing hair etc makes a blind bit of difference when it's really bad, the stuff is just in the air and unless you can have every window shut all day long it doesn't help.

In previous years when I've been really desperate I've sat with the car running for a bit, as the aircon & pollen filters settle it down temporarily, but a day at the coast at the weekend as a previous poster said is the best thing.

[TheRoadToRuin]

@Borgonzola

The usual Claritin etc weren't working for me a few years ago so I started requesting chlorphenamine maleate, which works better.

This year I'm pregnant so can't take anything

You can take phenergan while pregnant.

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

My GP prescribed an antihistamine named Drynol, active ingredient bilastine. I still have symptoms but the Drynol makes them tolerable for most of the tree pollen season. Birch pollen is still an absolute bastard but even that is much improved and I'm not getting chest/sinus/ear infections the way that I used to.

[3beesinmybonnet]

Sorry OP mine wasn't a steroid injection I think it was pollinex but it did help.

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

I also bought a pollen screen to cover a window in my bedroom, so there is at least one window that I can open safely.

[User3456]

If you want to look at HEPA filters there is a good comparison spreadsheet here. Most basic advice would be to get the highest CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) that you can for your money.
www.fullplasticscientist.co.uk/air-purifier-comparison?fbclid=IwAR1pVoZB-v-XQra2Ei9IUQ4gWyI-68usw3SS-2zVkgieAynefo_N8KJ_EFE
It's also possible to buy smaller portable ones for when you're out and about.
Possibly wearing a decent mask with a filter in might help when you're out and about too? You would need FFP2 standard or similar I think
Hope you get some relief soon.

[cooldarkroom]

Dont dry your clothes/bedding/towels on the line either

[Borgonzola]

@TheRoadToRuin I had phenergan all the way through second trimester for my HG. I'm not allowed to take it in t3 as it can be unsafe for baby.