hayfever

[TwoTearsInABucket]

Hi!
Ive got hayfever, not so bad as I can't do anything but it is really uncomfortable and is waking me up at night. I am 19 weeks and I don't want to go to the doc about it as it isn't really urgent.
I get really itchy eyes, and itchy ears/nose, lots of sneezing (which helps scratch my ears and nose). Does anyone know of anything I can take in pregnancy to relieve symptoms?

Thanks

I have hayfever too an spoke to my midwife last week (I'm 38+5) and she said there isn't anything I can take other than putting Vaseline on the inside if my nostrils (to catch the pollen). Iv been pretty bad the last couple of days an most of last week but the Vaseline didn't really help I just try not to itch my eyes or I use my eye drop (fresh eyes type drops for contact lenses). Sorry if that's not something you wanted to hear but just wanted to let you know your not alone!!

Unfortunately you will have to make an appointment with your GP.

All pharmacists will refuse to serve you any treatment for hayfever if you are pregnant (bitter experience) Even though I know the generic allergy eye drops are safe.

This is the 2nd pregnancy I have experienced whilst suffering from hayfever and even my GP had to make a call to the specialist in hospital for me.

Your treatment will be tailored for your needs. Hth

Thanks ladies. I'll get myself some eye drops and just accept the sneezing! It doesn't sound as bad as yours Cocktail.

I try to wash my face to get the pollen off and not open car windows, but there's lots of fluffy stuff in the air at the moment that isn't helping. I'll try the vaseline as well.

Jenjen please get a second opinion from your GP. There are safe treatments out there.

Hi, I'm suffering too - I'm 30 weeks and my GP has told me that I'm not able to take my normal strong anti-histamine tablets, but she has given me prescription strength nasal spray and eyedrops, which don't work as well as the full works, but I think they do help.

You could call your GP if you don't want to go in and they may give you a prescription based on a telephone consultation.

I'm using prevalin (you spray it up your nose and it sort of blocks the pollen), the Lloyds allergy reliever (you put red glowing lights up your nostrils - it looks ridiculous but does help!), and the Vaseline round the entrance to the nostrils. They're all marketed as being safe in pregnancy and have made it much better.

Sorry on phone so can't do links.

Have spoken to my Gp and midwife about this and they've both said there aren't any other treatments that are safe in pregnancy.

I'm really trying to avoid pollen as much as possible - ie wash clothes and hair every day to rinse it out, have got an air filter unit for our house, and am generally just staying indoors as much as I can.

Any other tips gratefully received!

Thanks Bread.

Do you all suffer all the time, or does it come and go? Now I am not itchy or snotty at all but I am in the house with the windows shut! Earlier doing the school run I was sneezing like a mad woman. Hence why I am not sure I want to go to the doctor as it is sporadic.

Is prevalin on prescription?

I got eye drops and nose spray from the GP. I usually suffer really really badly but not so this year. strange. until last night that is when I had HELLISh eyes and could I find the drops? Meh.

I found my hayfever not so bad while pregnant. Has happened that way twice already. Strange indeed.

Hi TwoTears, I get it quite badly when pregnant and not, but if I stay inside it does ease off after a while, until somebody opens the door! Sometimes I make DH drive me around in his car (which has an excellent pollen filter) for a bit of relief .

I imagine if you were outside all day it would be constant so I would get something prescribed - you don't have to use the nose spray or eye drops every day so could just get them to use on the days when everything itches or you go to the garden centre!

Hi, prevalin is available in pharmacies and some supermarkets, you don't need a prescription.

Second/Third Prevalin - it does help, and is marketed as safe for pregnancy and bf. It's a 'micro-gel' which coats the inside of the nose. Smells like spearmint and is available in Superdrug (and prob other places!)
HTH
P.s. I am miserable with it too. On the Tube is worst - all those people with pollen on their clothes. I hate it.

Ugh I've been suffering too and I'm 29 weeks. I miss my drugs!!

I have been finding taking loads of Vitamin C takes the edge off (it's apparently a natural antihistamine) as well as using a saline nasal spray
religiously, and I carry baby wipes to clean the pollen from the inside of my nose (eww) and my hands and eyes. The vaseline trick is good too but I keep forgetting to do that.

Apparently due to the late spring in UK everything is blooming at the same time, fun fun.

I got a telephone appt with the Dr and will have nasal spray and eye drops. i used a saline spray in the middle of the night last night which made it a bit better. We sleep with the window open as the room is so hot.

Hopefully this hayfever shite won't last too long. Sympathies to everyone.

Most GPs talk utter rot about hayfever meds - here is the NHS guidance

www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/935.aspx?categoryid=54

Thanks for that foofighter I will go back to my GP with a print out of that page! Didn't realise there were drugs I can take.