Hay Fever

[Darrell]

At the young age of 55 I’ve now started suffering from Hay Fever!! It’s bloody horrible.

Runny nose, feeling very tired and my eyes are extremely itchy.

 

[Chrishazle]

Stay away from any piriton type remedy, on first use they can make you very drowsy. If you're of an age where prescriptions are free, go to your quack and get something like Fexofenadine (which I believe is also available now over the counter) FOC. Cetirizine is also OK and available over the counter or on prescription (wife gets that) I've had hay fever for almost 60 years so have suffered the development of anti-histamine through all that time, from Piriton, 3 months of weekly injections that did SFA, through Triludan (Terfenadine) to for the past many years Fexofenadine Hydrochloride (expensive version Telfast), available in 120mg and 180mg versions. There's also a "squirt it up your nose" stuff that wife and I also have to occasionally use, again we get it on FOC prescription (benefits of being OAP's!!) but IMHO it's only useful for mild attacks or as a top up when things are really bad. Also look at using wrap-around glasses (especially sun glasses) to minimise stuff getting into your eyes when the wind is blowing.

 

[st13phil]

I started suffering from hay fever at the age of 13 (almost 50 years ago) and fortunately, for the last 25 years or, so the symptoms have been much more mild than the debilitating experiences I used to suffer.

The most significant symptom I still experience is itchy eyes and a few years ago a friend suggested that I try Opticrom eye drops. I have forever been in his debt because they are fantastic at eliminating the problem. A couple of drops in each eye when I get up in the morning is all that’s needed except on the worst pollen days. For around a fiver it’s definitely worth a try.

 

[GrahamT]

I have it fairly midly compared to some, but I find a twice daily squirt of Beconase up each nostril keeps it at bay very well. Also available OTC or on prescription.

 

[ChrisEdu]

As someone that can suffer extreme reactions to allergens, I'm on H1 and H2 antihistamines, plus have adrenaline injectors.
My main drugs, for allergy, are fexofenadine, montilukast, and Dymista basal spray.
Good advice for hay-fever is to wear glasses / sunglasses to help keep pollen from your eyes, and those Covid fashion accessories would also be really helpful when outside.

 

[SpikyMikey]

I have it fairly midly compared to some, but I find a twice daily squirt of Beconase up each nostril keeps it at bay very well. Also available OTC or on prescription.

Likewise, for my relatively mild symptoms, Beconase seems to help (they now do a newish one called Becodefence which I'm yet to try)
Other than that, one a day OTC anti-histamines work for me, although I have been known on really bad days to take a further dose later in the day (my GP OK'd it).

 

[Chrishazle]

When Fexofenadine (Telfast) first became available it came in 2 strengths, 120 and 180mg, and maximum daily dose was 360mg. Over the years the recommended maximum dose (on the instructions inside the box) has reduced to 1 tablet per day on the 120mg ones I get. I ignore this, based on having used these tablets since they first became available, but take only what I need - initially 1 per day, sometimes 2 if pollen count gets high and the effect of my morning pill wears off mid-late afternoon. Very occasionally I'll take 3 from necessity, but that is quite rare, just a handful of times in the entire season. No side efects from Fexofenadine for me, no drowsiness, no effect from alcohol, only slight downside is that a tablet takes up to an hour to take effect.

 

[Jukie]

Anyone who suffers with hay fever has my empathy. It can be dreadful.

I use Opticrom and Beconase and take an Allacan tablet each night. I do also suffer with an allergy to animal fur that gives the same issues as hay fever. Whilst the Allacan tablet is non-drowsy, it does appear to help me sleep a little better, which for me is a bonus!

 

[Londonscottish]

At the young age of 55 I’ve now started suffering from Hay Fever!! It’s bloody horrible.

Runny nose, feeling very tired and my eyes are extremely itchy.

I was at an IBM training camp when it first hit me. I was in my early 30's and suddenly - BOOM! - I had insanely itchy eyes. I rubbed them so much I developed conjunctivitis in both eyes.

I then went through several years of having to religiously put in eye drops every morning and have a double shot of Beconaise otherwise by 11am I'd be in a complete mess.

It seems to have receded a bit how - usually now it comes and goes with different pollens over the summer. But I've barely been affected this year at all.

The body's immune system is complex and hard to understand at times.

 

[CoopsSA]

As a kid I suffered really bad with hayfever and had Triludan on prescription which kept it in check. I think as I've grown older it has reduced or perhaps I've just got used to it. Must admit though this season I've not really suffered at all, I wonder if having COVID has triggered something? I just take unbranded cetririzine now.

 

[Chrishazle]

Years ago I was told that if you get hay fever as a very young child you grow out of it, whereas if it doesn't start until you're 10+ (I was 12) you have it for life. Our daughter had it as a very young child and pretty much grew out of it, since her late teens/early twenties seldom gets any symptoms (and is 37 now).

 

[DSM10000]

The best advice is to talk to your local Pharmacist. They will be able to help and to take in to account any other existing conditions etc.

 

[Chrishazle]

The other option could be your local surgery, we have a specialist nurse practitioner whose speciality is respiratory problems - amongst other things she looks after my COPD and sleep apnoea, but was not amused about my insistance on my repeat prescription for hay fever pills (the surgery only issue 1 months supply) being 60 tablets not 30, so I had quite a big "discussion" with her when we moved here 15 years ago - and won! I know more about my hay fever and what I need than she does!