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Tips for the Hayfever Sufferers

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Comments

  • #62
    gyppo
    Registered Users Posts: 1,648 ✭✭✭gyppo


    Pollen count is mad high in the midlands this morning.


  • #63
    yurmothrintites
    Registered Users Posts: 705 ✭✭✭yurmothrintites


    Apparently taking a walk on the beach clears your symptoms straight away.


  • #64
    BENJAMIN61
    Closed Accounts Posts: 159 ✭✭BENJAMIN61


    i had to have surgurey on my nose the other week thanks to hayfever


  • #65
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,016 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Gah mine is back - come back back winter!


  • #66
    Sugar Drunk
    Registered Users Posts: 522 ✭✭✭Sugar Drunk


    so glad its not just me! ive been dying with it this week im off to beg for the injection tonight


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  • #67
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,016 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    Yeah I might see if I can get that injection too - i'm sick and tired of people in work having the 'flu' and 'head colds' while i'm popping pills and using eye drops non stop!


  • #68
    ionapaul
    Registered Users Posts: 5,293 ✭✭✭ionapaul


    Just got hayfever again last week, seems earlier this year. Anyone else notice this? Normally only get it for 3 / 4 weeks at most (roll on June!) and keep it under control with over the counter non-drowsy antihistamines


  • #69
    nesf
    Registered Users Posts: 27,645 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    I had a touch of it last week when I went "down the country" and was surrounded by freshly cut grass. It hasn't hit me full on yet though, but I live in the city centre so there isn't that much pollen about usually.

    Have my Beconase bought and ready in preparation. Hopefully I won't have to go get a prescription for stronger stuff this year.


  • #70
    Boilerbad
    Closed Accounts Posts: 48 ✭Boilerbad


    give up milk casein the milk protein tricks the body into attacking itself leaving it sensitive causing allergies and arthritis:pac::pac:


  • #71
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Boilerbad wrote: »
    give up milk casein the milk protein tricks the body into attacking itself leaving it sensitive causing allergies and arthritis:pac::pac:

    While this may be the case for some individuals, unfortunately you cannot extrapolate this to the population at large. Some segments of the population statistically are more sensitive to casein, and it has been shown to cause problems (its a particular problem in some demographics- notably the Chinese community). There are several published studies on this (if you do a search on the Lancet you'll find 2 recent (2008) surveys). The average member of the Irish population however has no difficulties in properly digesting milk, milk products and their constituent components. Where difficulties with casein and milk products does arise in a Western context, the intolerance tends to be temporary in nature and of unknown cause. In many cases its just as likely to dissappear over time.

    Ps- Lactose intolerance is a far more prevalent problem, than casein intolerance.


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  • #72
    Rainman1
    Registered Users Posts: 58 ✭✭Rainman1


    WindSock wrote: »
    Eat local honey to build up your immune system to the pollen.
    Unfortunetly building up your immune system is not the answer to hayfever, as your immune system is already in overdrive attacking harmless pollen with over production of histimine.
    Taking antihistimines only masks the problem as you're tackling the symptoms and not the source of the problem. I have suffered chronic hayfever since I was a child and have tried everything from the course of injections to herbal remedies, and of course every antihistimine and nasal spray that was out there, nothing worked. Last year I actually stumbled on the solution whilst looking into something else, I discovered that acupunture is particularly effective in readjusting the immune system, I consulted an acupunturist and he explained that this was very successful against allergies, including hayfever, anyway, that was three years ago and I haven't suffered since, I would advise any sufferers to give it a go, you shouldn't have to pay more than €30 for a session and you may be stunned at how effective it is.


  • #73
    tk123
    Registered Users Posts: 14,016 ✭✭✭✭tk123


    I don't drink milk and have it pretty much all year round - i had dec & jan off :( Thou I will say that since I cut back on dairy my skin is clearer and def less phlegm (yuck - sorry!:D) The doc gave me a scrip. for Flixonase (€26 a bottle!) last week when I was in for a repeat for my thyroid medicine and said if if didn't work they'd refer me to some alergy specialist to see what the problem is. I'm wary of this thou cos the last time they referred me it cost me LOADS - just my luck they found thyroid nodules that were also cystic that needed scanning and prodding with needles!:pac:


  • #74
    Sugar Drunk
    Registered Users Posts: 522 ✭✭✭Sugar Drunk


    I got the injection in the middle of march and also got a course of singluair tablets. sadly while I felt great the last few weeks - the hayfever is back already I could barely open my eyes in work yesterday and just wanted to sleep :( going to see if I can get the injection again in june. I do know an acupuncturist so will ask her about havign a few sessions


  • #75
    Rainman1
    Registered Users Posts: 58 ✭✭Rainman1


    Sugar Drunk wrote: »
    I do know an acupuncturist so will ask her about havign a few sessions

    I would really recommend giving that a shot, I was out cutting the grass yesterday, an activity that would have put me in hosptal three years ago, the joy of acupuncture, assuming it works for you, is that it doesn't just treat the symptons, but cures the problem for life. Do let us know how you get on if you do decide to do a few sessions.


  • #76
    blorg
    Registered Users Posts: 15,989 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Where's the cheapest for antihistamines? Cheapest I have found so far is 2.49 for a box of 7 generic Zirtek in Boots. These were on special last week so not sure if they still are- hope so. Last two years I had stocked up on generics in the US. Anyone buy on the internet?

    Cheap nasal spray tips would also be appreciated.


  • #77
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    suffer with hayfevcer for the last ten years. I thought last year i was bad and went to my doctor and got a brilliant nasal spray cleared up my sneezing, sore eyes and itichy throat.
    This year its not working for me. I'm on 2 Ziteck tablets a day, eye drops for sore eyes and my throat is very itchy. i would scratch it with sandpaper if i could. Going to go for the Kenalog injection. Will it help?????????????????


  • #78
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,278 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    I've resorted to a dehumidifier with an activated carbon filter at home- at least you get a reasonable night's sleep. My eyes feel like they have hair stuck on them....... :( My GP gave me Neoclarityn on prescription- its not working the best.......


  • #79
    Pal
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,115 ✭✭✭Pal


    angeldelight wrote: »
    One Zirtek tablet after breakfast and it doesn't bother me at all. It's a non-drowsy antihistamine so won't affect driving or anything, I used to use Piriton but had to take it few times and made me really sleepy, couldn't do without Zirtek now!

    one Zirtek and I sleep for all day !

    dreadful things.


  • #80
    taram
    Registered Users Posts: 1,226 ✭✭✭taram


    Zirtek stopped working for me last year, this year I'm trying neoclarityn.

    I woke up this morning and could smell pollen :mad:


  • #81
    Alun
    Registered Users Posts: 21,418 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Pal wrote: »
    one Zirtek and I sleep for all day !
    Take it last thing before you go to bed then .. that's what I do.


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  • #82
    shoegirl
    Registered Users Posts: 2,018 ✭✭✭shoegirl


    I had the same problem with Zirtek ceasing to work some years ago. Gradually I built up a resistence to all the other pills and was living in misery, I probably spent about 2 hours a day sneezing.

    I did the flixonase and beconase for a while but one day I was at work and noticed that the cleaning guy had arrived earlier and my nose was started to twitch. I put 2 and 2 together and realised I was getting this every morning when I arrived in and again in the evening if I was still there if the cleaning started.

    So I asked facilities at work was there any chance if they could either stop using cleaning fluids to clean around my desk or else change whatever they are using. They were a bit snotty about it at first but I said I was really going through hell and thought it might be related.

    Turned out I was spot on.

    Basically, end of 9 years of misery. I have probably had hay fever about twice in the last few months.

    Not only that, but a cacophony of sniffles and sneezing from 2 or 3 other sufferers has also stopped. There were at least 3 or 4 or us going through this daily hell because of some kind of cleaning fluid that is commonly used by commercial cleaners. I very strongly suspect this is widely used since I had major problems in a couple of other offices and the cleaners are supplied by a large contracting company. Interesting though, that I was not the only sufferer. Maybe looking for root causes is a good idea.


  • #83
    travellers
    Registered Users Posts: 35 ✭travellers


    Practical advice on hay-fever


    1. Plan ahead – Listen out for the daily pollen forecast.

    2. Remain in doors if at all possible with building or car doors closed while pollen count is high.

    3. Close bedroom windows at night.

    4. Frequently damp dust your house and regularly hover. This will help reduce the pollen levels within.

    5. If out-doors try to avoid freshly cut lawns, hay/silage fields, picking fruit or flowers and do not touch any animals that would have pollen on their coats.

    6. Wear close fitting sunglasses or goggles while outdoors to prevent pollen grains entering the eyes.

    7. Choose a car that has air-conditioning or a pollen filter if possible.

    8. A good mask or a small amount of Vaseline applied on the inside of the nostrils will reduce the amount of pollen you inhale.

    9. Avoid air pollution or tobacco smoke or such like as these exacerbate matters.

    10. Plan holidays or day trips to hot dry destinations preferably seaside, mountains or moorland areas.

    11. If there is a history of pollen allergy in the family, newborn babies should be kept away from high pollen concentrations.

    12. Take appropriate Preventative medicine.

    13. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes with your hands. Shower and change your clothes after being outside to remove pollen grains from the body.

    14. Pollen counts are HIGHEST EARLY MORNING OR LATE AFTERNOON.



    MEDICATION:

    Treatment:
    1. Antihistamines (e.g. Zirtek, Cetrine, Clarytin - all once daily and non-drowsy; Piriton - Four times a day and causes drowsiness)
    2. Decongestants (e.g. Sudafed)
    2.1 Decongestant + Paracetamol (e.g. Sinutab; Solpa-Sinus)
    2.2. Decongestant + Antihistamine (e.g. Actifed)
    2.3 Nasal decongestants (e.g. Sinex) can be used by people with high blood pressure but shouldn't be used for more than 7 days.
    Decongestants are useful for the relief of late phase congestion – Will not relieve early phase symptoms such as itchy eyes and nose and sneezing.

    Preventatives:
    Take some time to work and should be started before the hay-fever season:
    1. Sodium Cromoglicate (e.g. Opticrom) eye drops
    2. Intranasal corticosteroids (e.g. Flixonase and Beconase)

    Herbal:
    Luffa complex
    Natural:
    Sterimar (sea water spray)

    Polen Forecast:
    http://www.met.ie/forecasts/pollen.asp
    Also on South East Radio, not sure about the time...



  • #84
    sorella
    Closed Accounts Posts: 923 ✭✭✭sorella


    I have just started using a product called nazalese that was mentioned on the Irish health boards.

    This year we are living among trees after years of coastal living and the hay fever struck badly many weeks ago.


    Wondered what had hit me.

    I have M.E with atypical reactions to many meds but am really ill and incapacitated with the hay fever.

    Using piriton but it knocks me out; and painklillers that do the same.

    The nasalese is not a chemical; it sounds gross, but in fact it makes sense as it lines the nose with a powder that stops the allergens entering.

    This morning I am in bed; eye, head and sinus pain. Nose running like a tap in all directions and nausea thus. yukk...

    Tried the nazalese, with a sceptical eye, and within seconds the nose had dried etc etc.

    I know it will take a wee while for the bad inflammation to ease but it is doing so already. Sitting up and taking notice now.

    I got it by post from the UK; fast service indeed and a reasonable price.

    I am impressed and see hope for the summer now!!

    http://www.nasaleze.com/

    I had forgotten how disabling hay fever is. Commiserations to all


  • #85
    pm.
    Registered Users Posts: 2,139 ✭✭✭pm.


    i find the noes strips great ( you know the one the footballers use ) for night time will unblock you in about 10 mins after use


  • #86
    _Whimsical_
    Registered Users Posts: 7,955 ✭✭✭_Whimsical_


    Has anyone here tried a Medinose? It's a drug free hayfever treatment.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medinose-45030-Hayfever-Allergy-Treatment/dp/B000BI69UQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    I saw Dr Chris from the This Morning show on a news item talking about this and saying he'd seen huge success treating Hay Fever sufferers with the Medinose (between 70-90% found it highly effective).He said he discovered it when his son,who is an olympic athlete who has very bad hayfever, had to give up all medications including antihistimines to take part in the Olympics last year. According to him it's widely used among Olympic athletes and that his son went from someone who took antihistimines everyday in summer to someone who needs none while using the Medinose.


    It's a little machine with two prongs with a red light on them that you stick up your nose (yes it sounds ridiculous!).According to the manufacturers the red light inhibits the bodies production of histimine and stops hayfever/nasal alergy symptoms. There seems to be an advert for it here :
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlQSBrOcOko

    Anyone tried it? Or heard of anyone who has tried it before I bite the bullet and buy it?:)


  • #87
    rubadub
    Registered Users Posts: 32,373 ✭✭✭✭rubadub


    blorg wrote: »
    Where's the cheapest for antihistamines? Cheapest I have found so far is 2.49 for a box of 7 generic Zirtek in Boots. These were on special last week so not sure if they still are- hope so. Last two years I had stocked up on generics in the US. Anyone buy on the internet?

    Cheap nasal spray tips would also be appreciated.
    I got cheap tablets and spray on www.chemistdirect.co.uk they were very cheap and have a massive range of products.

    http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/hayfever-and-allergy_c_404.html?ps=01&vi=List&offer_type=&brand_id_filter=

    I ordered lots of stuff but they did not send it all, I never bothered to contact them again about it, they only charged me for what I ordered. Seems they were on TV and were inundated with orders. And I think they sent what they simply had in stock to people. They have very reasonable postage, and are probably pleased I did not contact them as they would be obliged to send the rest of the order and cover the extra post themselves.

    Big thread on them here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055453107
    With mixed thoughts


  • #88
    rollerdisco
    Registered Users Posts: 62 ✭✭rollerdisco


    Be aware of cross reactivity the proteins in pollen are similar to ones in the food we eat eg apple is associated with birch and molds which is more abundant in air than pollens would cross react with foods with yeast and mold cheese beer bread red wine the longer I stay off beer the better my nose is and I am chronic


  • #89
    breda206
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 39 ✭breda206


    Pet wrote: »
    My hayfever only got really bad when I moved into the city centre for college. You tend to be constantly exposed living in the country, whereas in the city, there's no pollen for ages, and then all of a sudden in April/May, you're bombarded. Makes sense.

    Same here. Nurse thought I was mad, but it seems i'm not the only one.:D


  • #90
    breda206
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 39 ✭breda206


    blorg wrote: »
    Where's the cheapest for antihistamines? Cheapest I have found so far is 2.49 for a box of 7 generic Zirtek in Boots. These were on special last week so not sure if they still are- hope so. Last two years I had stocked up on generics in the US. Anyone buy on the internet?

    Cheap nasal spray tips would also be appreciated.

    I went up to Enniskillen and bought s**tloads of "Asda Hayfever & Allergy Relief" for £1.65 for 14 tabs, it's the same active ingredient as Zirtek, which I used to buy and was costing me a fortune, €5.39 for 7 tabs. I went to another Asda while I was in the north and bought another batch at the same time.

    I have skin allergies as well as hayfever, so it's a 2 in 1 for me! :D


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  • #91
    chickenpoo
    Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭chickenpoo


    Has anyone ever tried acupuncture for hayfever? I have year-long allergies to pollen, animals, dust, cleaning products and am getting a bit sick of having to use nasal sprays and Telfast/Phenergan all year round.


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