Hay Fever

[237SJ]

I have never suffered from the effects of pollen until 4 years ago. I had itchy eyes and Naphazoline hydrochloride sorted that out. I think the problem is tree pollen because I only get symptoms in March and they are gone by mid May. This year I have an itchy nose on the inside, I`m sneezing and I can`t breathe. I have been using the Sudafed that I always keep with me and Beconase. The Beconase doesn`t seem to do much but I would like to find something that works in the same way (lining the nasal passages). I was just wondering if any hay fever sufferers could advise. thanks.

[boxtops]

Go to the doc, get some prescription medication. I have hay fever but am allergic to everything from grass to rapeseed to whatever - I have to take meds from around mid-March to early October. I have a daily tablet plus a nasal decongestant spray plus antihistamine eye drops - it does work.

[askyourgran]

I don't usually suffer from hayfever, but this year I have runny itchy eyes, and my nose feels bunged up. Felt pretty stupid today walking home from the shops sniffing and wiping my eyes.

[237SJ]

I don`t think I would bother with a doctor Boxtops. I know what the problem is and I don`t want to have to get a prescription for something that I can probably buy over the counter. In my case I am lucky in that I have a short term problem due to tree pollen. I must say though, that people such as you have my sympathy. I only have to suffer hey fever for about 6 weeks. I can`t imagine not being able to enjoy a summer because of streaming eyes and horrible hay fever symptoms.

[boxtops]

Understood, 237 - you might be able to fix it with Piriton! They did say last night that this lovely weather is now causing smog and people with allergies and chest problems need to be careful. Sounds like the opposite of every cloud has a silver lining - every sunny day has a downside!

[237SJ]

I know how you feel AYG. When I got my first symptoms (itchy eyes) it just happened to be just after I had bought some really nice cushions for my settee. I was convinced the fabric in the cushions caused my runny eyes. I washed the covers, I changed the filling and still there was no difference. It was only the next year that I realised it wasn`t anything to do with the cushions. You can develop hay fever at any time.

[askyourgran]

I wouldn't care 237 I've chucked away some mascara and a couple of eye liner pencils thinking I was allergic to them. Cost a fortune.

[Buenchico]

237SJ:
It can be hard to avoid the immediate cause of your hay fever but you might try to work out what could be making it worse.

For example, when I was teaching I eventually worked out that my hay fever was vastly worse if there was chalk dust in the air. I learnt that I should always clean the blackboard at the end of a lesson (when, for example, I'd be leaving the classroom to go to lunch) By the time I got back the dust would have settled. However if I waited until I'd returned to the classroom and then cleaned the blackboard at the start of the next lesson, I'd be feeling awful very quickly. (While I wasn't directly allergic to the chalk dust, the hay fever was sensitising my nasal tissue and the dust was making it much worse).

So you might also have things which you're not actually allergic to but which can still make your hay fever worse. It could be something in the air (like chalk dust) or even in your diet (like chilli or curry). I found that tiredness and stuffy atmospheres made my own problem much worse as well.

Since I left teaching my hay fever has hardly bothered me at all (and I didn't really suffer from hay fever until I started teaching) , so those 'additional environmental factors' can clearly play a major part.

Other than that, my only advice would be to ask your GP about the injections which are meant to help considerably. (It's probably too late for them this year but it could be advisable to ask about the possibility of trying them next year).

Cris

[237SJ]

I had my car washed about a week ago (a twice a year event)! and I have a yellow film over over the roof and bonnet. It is tree pollen. I have never seen that before. I remember when I was a kid my teacher had a white Hillman Imp and she took us kids outside to look at her car. It must have been about 1970. There were freak winds from the Sahara and her car was covered with red dust. I wonder if anyone else remebers that?

[askyourgran]

I remember that, I couldn't believe that the sand could travel that far.

[boxtops]

Yes I remember - Sahara sand, there was quite a lot of it.

[237SJ]

We must be giving our age away. I do remember showing us that though. It is as clear as day in my memory.

[Jemisa]

SJ, Take a tiny tin of Vaseline with you and smear a fine layer in side your nose and around the edges of your nose. The Vaseline catches the pollen and will make you more comfortable. My daughter is never without her Vaseline in these pollen days.

jem

[237SJ]

I might just try that Jem. I think lining the nose is the way to go which just might stop me sneezing so much,

[Sqad]

237SJ

There is an injection of steroids, which would clear up your symptoms overnight...Depot Medrone and another similar injection whose name I have forgotten :-)..but for some reason Dr's in the UK are reluctant to prescribe.This will settle down almost immediately and give you anti-allergic cover for the rest of the season.

I am surprised that Beconase Nasal Spray doesn't help in which case I would switch to Flixonase Nasal Spray.

[mike11111]

I'm surprised Chris cleaned his own blackboard. I always got a kid to do it. There was never any shortage of volunteers.

[Sqad]

237SJ....just remembered...it is called Kenalog.

[237SJ]

Thanks sqad and everyone else for your suggestions. I`ve not got a good list for the chemist. I saw the funniest thing last night. I was around a friend`s house and she has a machine from Lloyds pharmacy that is like an ioniser for the nose that is supposed to neutralise the effects of pollen. She stuck a double-pronged thingy up her nose, pressed a button and her nose lit up bright red while the machine did it`s job. She looked hilarious but she swears it works. She uses it twice a day and said she doesn`t have to take any tablets.

[sara3]

I can thoroughly recommend being pregnant.. I never had my usual hayfever hell when I was pregnant.

a bit drastic, maybe... ;o)

[Buenchico]

(With apologies to 237SJ)

Mike:
In Sheffield comprehensives the kids won't do anything unless you pay them ;-)

[Sheila2]

I used to suffer from hay fever but have recently convinced myself that all was over... until this year. I have read this forum with interest and it has enabled me to see what could have happened.
My hay fever now seems just like a cold that has carried on since a double dose of common cold I had over the winter. No runny, itchy eyes, just bunged up and even sore throat, coughing and unable to sleep as I seem to fill up with gloopiness over night. But you guys have given me new insight.... let me explain...
I had hay fever until 2004 when I left teaching. I went on a holiday to Australia and had sort of thought that was why I was OK. But maybe... the chalk dust...(Buenchico).
I found this site when I googled 'my car is giving me hay fever'... which seems to be the case. I had stupidly thought when my garage said they had run out of pollen filters for my Peugeot 308cc that what did I now need a pollen filter for if the roof came off my lovely car. I am learning... apparently, once blocked a pollen filter can then allow large chunks of pollen into your car. I suspect this has sort of made me over sensitive. I have now had my pollen filter changed, but the damage is done and I still seem to be better with open windows than air con. I am now dreading the 3 days ahead of me when I am having to sit and drive my car.
Also, I have lived on Anglesey since 2005 and have come down to the south of England for a course. I had no problems in Anglesey, but here in Crawley I have been going through hell. What is the underlying rock? Chalk!
I used to live in London, most of my severe hay fever times were in London, and now I am wondering just how much this chalk link has effected me.
Over the last 3 weeks I have stocked up on Sudafed, Piriton, nasal sprays... and now I am using another magic ingredient "Naseptin nasal cream", which I got on prescription when I had several heavy nose bleeds. I think its doing what the vaseline does. <