hayfever

I too have had hay fever for the first time this year; it's been terrible; bunged up nose, streaming and stinging painful eyes, all from May through to the end of October. The GP said that it's been particularly bad this year with people reporting suffering it for the first time. Anti-histamines have made no difference, so just had to put up with it.

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SAK, thanks for info on epi-pen. My 36 year old son should carry his, but is so blase about it all, thinks it won't happen again. He was too young to remember the two occasions when he went into anaphylactic shock. We nearly lost him on both occasions. I will never forget the terror I felt.

I have rhinitis too, had this since I can't remember when. Since having my son I have a nickel allergy. Since menopause I have eczema in my ears would you believe!

Mum had asthma
Sister has hayfever

Son has eczema, asthma, psoriasis and bad food allergies (mainly nuts, cherries and applies) he also carries an epi-pen. Oh and by the way, if anyone has a teen etc. who is supposed to carry one but doesn't due to them being so bulky, I've done a bit of research and they are now almost finished trials on epi pens in the form of a credit card so they can be carried in the pocket or wallet. These should be available next year and cost around £40-£50.

Weird things these allergies, they can come on at any time.

I've had Hay Fever (allergic rhinitis) since my teens, I use eye drops & nasal spray, I used to have prescribed anti-histamines but since moving new GP won't prescribe under new guidelines, over the counter are useless or make me drowsy.

I am allergic to tree pollen but grass doesn't bother me. I can't have lilies in the house. I refuse to stay indoors or keep windows shut, rather be out & use medication.

I'm also affected by some perfumes & household cleanersI don't use aerosols if I can help it

How funny, I've had hay fever for 40 years and normally suffer very badly. But last year and this year (so far) no sign of it! I'm absolutely delighted! I can go outside and sit in the sun, do gardening and generally enjoy the summer! I can't believe it! So I feel desperately sorry for you op hay fever is miserable. See your doctor if no joy with over the counter medicines as they can give you something stronger. X

My daughter first got hay fever when she went to America, the doctor there she was allergic to tree pollen that we don't have here. Now she gets it every year in Scotland. Last year it was very bad and her face blew up like a balloon. She now get an injection privately and was told by the doctor to get the injection after the symptoms start. It cost I think £130 but it's well worth it as she gets no symptoms now.

Try Ainsworths mixed pollen homeopathy tablets. Brilliant!!

I started getting hay fever after chemotherapy also asthma I use a nasal spray before bed and use inhalers daily hope you ok SALLYDAPP

Yes, I have had symptoms starting about 2 years back.

Oh gosh sally that was a rather extreme way to get red of your hay fever. I'm glad to see you can enjoy the outdoors again, but I do hope your cancer is in remission, and that your prognosis is good. What a lovely optimistic person you sound.

My son suffered terribly with hayfever (I developed it for the first time when I was pregnant with him) One of the best remedies is using local honey before the hayfever season starts. Apparently it's the tiny doses of local pollen that you get in the honey that acts a bit like a vaccination building up an immunity.

I no longer get hayfever because I have a cancer which works against my immune system, it's been really lovely not having hay-fever and being able to enjoy outside life and smelling flowers at this time of the year for the first time in my life. My anti hayfever routine was: take anti histamine tablets, (choose the one which suits you as they seem to be divided into 2 main groups, homeopathic doesn't work, chat to the pharmacy staff) use a nasal spray and eye wash like oprex daily even dull days. Try and establish what you are allergic to so you can avoid that, mine was tree pollen. Sleep with the windows shut and stay in in the early evening when the pollen is settling at the end of the day, shower at the end of the day before bed.This wasn't fool proof and never cured it, nothing does, but it was manageable. You really have my sympathy, there is nothing that makes you feel as miserable as hayfever and people who don't get it tend to just brush it aside as one of those things when it's so much more. My husband now gets it but after 30 years of giving me no sympathy I'm now getting my own back.

I had it really badly when I was young- my 'O' levels were a nightmare. Then it went away only to come back in my 60's.Early morning & mid afternoon seem to be the bad times.

This year has been much worse than usual. Doctor can prescribe stronger pills than the over the counter ones & nasal spray is good too.

I was offered allergy testing in my teens but as my Mum has the tests & was allergic to 40 out of the 50 things they tested for I didn't bother. If they had said cats & dogs I would have had them anyway so not much point.

You have my sympathies.

try Vaseline rubbed inside and outside the nostrils, keep re-applying it does help a lot

i starte with hayfever when i moved from devon to dorset in 1987 - i was bitten by the blandford fly and my doctor prescribed antihistimine and my runny nose and itchy eyes vanished!
now i take asda's own hayfever and allergy tablets which contain loratadine which doesn't make you drowsy.
you can get these from the aisles but, if you visit their pharmacy, you can get a packet of 60 tablets [green box] for under £5. they are very effective.

My hayfever started at the same time as my menopause began. It lasted seven years, and I needed tablets all year round. Weirdly, (but happily!!) it went away when my menopause ended! So in my case, it seemed to be triggered by hormonal changes. I've no idea if there is any evidence or research supporting my theory, but for me there was an obvious link.

Take homeopathic remedy 'Natrum Muriaticum' three times a day until improvement. Take as needed if symptoms return. And keep up your water intake :-) Allergies are not uncommon in later life, so work towards strengthening your immune system as it weakens as we age.

travelsafar, my father developed it at sixty - he was most indignant and told the GP he had never had hay fever. GP's response was 'well - everyone has to start somewhere' Sorry to hear you have this miserable complaint; my grandson who also suffers has found that a light application of vaseline around his nostrils help trap pollens and helps keep down the use of medication.

I only started to get symptoms at 50+ was recommended to get a lloyds anti allergy reliever it uses red light cells and seems to keep all my symptoms at bay as I don't like taking pills.

Yes, I've developed hay fever in the last few years too. Knew straight away what it was as my sister has suffered for years. Living in London it is so nice to visit even small parks and see all the greenery in the spring, but I do have to try to take a deep breath with my hand over mouth and nose then keep my mouth shut till I need another breath. A lady on my bus today actually got off because she was so embarrassed by coughing and sneezing so much. Tena must surely report an increase of sales at this time of year

Just re-read my post- Oh dear all those years in the wrong job!!! Perhaps I should have added "a trip to Alnwick Garden and the Treehouse" Lots of pollen!!
Thanks Greyduster Made me laugh!

Greyduster

I always knew you could be allergic to children ?. Nobody believed me!

I developed it when I was in my 50s. Took a class of children on a school trip and returned sneezing and wheezing. Thought it was a summer cold but it cleared up. Now use anti-histamines regularly and you can tell if I forget one.