Hay fever 2018

Graces7

Had hoped as surrounded by ocean to be spared the effects of a totally new area. Not!

Anyone else bad this year? Very much so here.

Bassfish

Have been taking cetrine daily for the past month so I've escaped it so far. A week of nice weather and the big guns will have to be brought out again!

silverharp

i get hay fever from about the 3rd week in june for about a month, i never figured out what exactly causes it, worst was when i used to cycle to work, not so bad now as i dont . does anything help apart from pharmaceuticals?

threetrees

My son suffers from a reaction to grass pollen. Nothing yet this year, he's usually in bits mid-May to end of June.

He's taking eye drops daily for a week or so now just in case and we've an appointment for his hayfever prescription meds next week.

rubadub

silverharp wrote: »

does anything help apart from pharmaceuticals?

Yes, there are LED light devices, I know several who have them and worked for all them. I am very sceptical about such things but it worked fine for me.

You can also do things like put vaseline in your nose that can help.

Billgirlylegs

With the late spring, trees are now coming into leaf, and their flowers will quickly follow.
Flowers are pretty non descript, apart from Horse Chestnuts, that are the size of an adults forearm
That I imagine is your first blast of pollen.
This usually happens late March - think cherry blossoms - so not so many people out and about and the full effects probably avoided.

Grasses generally flower in early June (ish) and aren't as susceptible to weather issues and that is the second blast, particularly in rural areas preparing pastures for hay.

I am not a sufferer, but I believe that the Vaseline (or Vick's) will help trap some pollen befre it gets to sensitive areas.

Maybe helpful

silverharp

rubadub wrote: »

Yes, there are LED light devices, I know several who have them and worked for all them. I am very sceptical about such things but it worked fine for me.

You can also do things like put vaseline in your nose that can help.

never heard of the LED thing, will check out thanks, the Vaseline seems like a practical tip, cheers

heretothere

Cetrine and dymista in the morning really helps me. Then I have those individual eye drops that come everywhere with me!

DickSwiveller

There is a new treatment for hay Fever called Rhinolight. It has yielded fantastic outcomes.

MFlack2012

Very bad this year. I know my threshold has gone down, but didn't think it would be as bad as I am. For the past three weeks, itchy all over, have my skin torn to pieces, but can't not scratch. My chest is really bad. Eyes not too bad yet, but definitely runny. Thankfully I don't suffer too much with the sneezing side of things, because I have a nasal cyst which stops the sneezing. Always thought this might relieve some of the pressure on other areas though!

On Asthma meds with Telfast, Monteuklast, Avamys and Eye drops. Antihystamine-d to the hilt daily.

dastardly00

I haven't suffered yet this year.

Started taking cetirizine today (May 1st). I'll continue with a daily dose of that until September.

I'll leave it another month or so before I start taking Beconase nasal spray.

Graces7

So sorry others are bad but relieved not just me. I had forgotten though how debilitating it is as well as the obvious things. I thought the M.E was getting worse but now i realise it is the hay fever... Vicks is in constant use and anti hists..

I am new on a small island in the ocean and really hoped I might get off lightly as there are few trees and little flowery vegetation but now the gorse is in glorious bright gold...

Thank you! and hoping it eases..

rubadub

DickSwiveller wrote: »

There is a new treatment for hay Fever called Rhinolight. It has yielded fantastic outcomes.

this looks similar to the LED light things, but a different type of light.

I am surprised more have not tried the LED things, people seem desperate and they are pretty cheap.

This is the one I have £20 on amazon, you would get free delivery if you go over £25
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kinetik-Wellbeing-AR1-Allergy-Reliever/dp/B004MZMYPS/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1525538842&sr=8-1&keywords=allergy+light

It sometimes falls out of my nose, and the beeping from it is very loud. I lowered the sound by opening it and stuffing some tissue in the speaker.

They are cheaper on ebay but could take weeks to get here. https://www.ebay.com/itm/GO-Allergic-Rhinitis-Therapy-Laser-Light-Treatment-Machine-Therapeutic-Apparatus/171867296175?hash=item280416d1af:g:dD4AAOSwLVZVsFG7

terrydel

I seem to have ti very bad this year, at least thats what Im putting it down to.
Bad post nasal drip, slightly stingy eyes and generally feeling wrecked.
Living in the sticks since last July, so a lot more exposed to nature than before.
But this is the worst I've felt with it in years.

MFlack2012

terrydel wrote: »

I seem to have ti very bad this year, at least thats what Im putting it down to.
Bad post nasal drip, slightly stingy eyes and generally feeling wrecked.
Living in the sticks since last July, so a lot more exposed to nature than before.
But this is the worst I've felt with it in years.

Absolutely 100% the same! I've been bad since end of March (All year allergies) but the past week, I just feel shut down. I can't concentrate, I've a ball sized pressure in the middle of my forehead, my eyes are unfocused, extremely fatigued, itchy all over (Skin torn to pieces), eyes have nails grating inside, wheeze and cough is extremely unlady like. Due to Cyst in my sinus, I don't usually sneeze so when I do, I know I have a cold/flu coming on, but I'm even sneezing this year :mad: I usually go to sleep 11:30 and up at 6/6:30 and wide awake, up and down throughout the night. This past week, I can't keep my eyes open during the day, asleep by 9pm, sleep throughout the night and keep resetting the alarm until 7am until I finally have to drag myself out of the bed. This is only May!

terrydel

MFlack2012 wrote: »

Absolutely 100% the same! I've been bad since end of March (All year allergies) but the past week, I just feel shut down. I can't concentrate, I've a ball sized pressure in the middle of my forehead, my eyes are unfocused, extremely fatigued, itchy all over (Skin torn to pieces), eyes have nails grating inside, wheeze and cough is extremely unlady like. Due to Cyst in my sinus, I don't usually sneeze so when I do, I know I have a cold/flu coming on, but I'm even sneezing this year :mad: I usually go to sleep 11:30 and up at 6/6:30 and wide awake, up and down throughout the night. This past week, I can't keep my eyes open during the day, asleep by 9pm, sleep throughout the night and keep resetting the alarm until 7am until I finally have to drag myself out of the bed. This is only May!

Jesus, that sounds awful.
This year Ive gone from getting up around 7-7.30 to 6.15ish with a longer commute, plus trying to train for a big cycle in July. With this hayfever on top of it Im really struggling.
The fact I tend to feel better in the evening convinces me its hayfever.

MFlack2012

terrydel wrote: »

Jesus, that sounds awful.
This year Ive gone from getting up around 7-7.30 to 6.15ish with a longer commute, plus trying to train for a big cycle in July. With this hayfever on top of it Im really struggling.
The fact I tend to feel better in the evening convinces me its hayfever.

Mini Marathon coming up in June (Walking) and no training done so doubt I'll be as fast this year, if it keeps up

palmcut

Hay Fever.
Tierney’s Pharmacy, Rathdrum.
Part of the health hint series by Michael Tierney.

*Hay fever is an allergic condition.
*The allergic reaction is to grass and tree pollens and sometimes to moulds.
*Hay fever usually occurs at the same time each year.
*The hay fever season in Ireland runs from early May to the end of July and sometimes into August.
*The main pollen in Ireland is grass pollen.
*Pollens are very small and about 10,000 would fit on the head of a needle.
*High pollen counts happen on warm, dry and sunny days.
*Pollen counts may be high in the morning but are highest in the late afternoon and early evening.

Symptoms of Hay fever.
*Snuffling.
*Sneezing.
*Sinus nasal congestion.
*Sometimes headache.
*Blocked or runny nose.
*Itchy eyes.
*Watery eyes.
*Puffy eyes and maybe puffiness underneath the eyes.
*Cough.
*Tiredness.
*No taste in mouth.

Hay Fever Hints.
*Avoid going out when the pollen count is high.
*Keep windows closed in the mornings and late afternoons.
*Avoid late afternoon walks.
*Keep car windows closed.
*Cold wet days are better for people with hay fever.
*Avoid grassy areas.
*Use wrap around sunglasses to help prevent pollens irritating the eyes.
*Do not smoke or breathe second hand smoke.
*Get someone else to mow the grass.
*Apply a little Vaseleine inside the nose in the mornings and afternoons.
* Do not sleep with the windows open.
*If you have been out in the mornings or late afternoons, then wash your hands and face when you come indoors. (Maybe even change your clothes)

Hay Fever Treatment.
*Use the hints above.
*For severe cases of hay fever, contact your GP.
*For milder cases go to your local community pharmacy.
*Try to get treatment as early as possible.
*Your local pharmacist will suggest;
A...Nasal decongestants. (short term use)
B...Anti-histamines.
C... Cortico-steroid sprays.

*In severe cases your GP may prescribe medicines such as steroids.
*For persistent, severe and annual hay fever; your GP might recommend Immunotherapy.
*Before you take any hay fever treatment please check with your pharmacist in case any of your other medication may react with your hay fever medication.
Part of Health Hint series.
From,
Tierney’s Pharmacy. Rathdrum.

Graces7

terrydel wrote: »

I seem to have ti very bad this year, at least thats what Im putting it down to.
Bad post nasal drip, slightly stingy eyes and generally feeling wrecked.
Living in the sticks since last July, so a lot more exposed to nature than before.
But this is the worst I've felt with it in years.

Your first year will be bad ; I am the same as this is my first year in a new deep rural setting. Hoped being next to the sea ( literally! ) would help, but the gorse this year is awesome... Next year will be easier I know from experience. And the late spring meant more pollen at the same time.

terrydel

Graces7 wrote: »

Your first year will be bad ; I am the same as this is my first year in a new deep rural setting. Hoped being next to the sea ( literally! ) would help, but the gorse this year is awesome... Next year will be easier I know from experience. And the late spring meant more pollen at the same time.

Thanks mate, nice to read that having spent all Saturday afternoon and yesterday sneezing like I've never sneezed before.
And here's me saying that I usually dont get the sneezing part of it!

davo2001

DickSwiveller wrote: »

There is a new treatment for hay Fever called Rhinolight. It has yielded fantastic outcomes.

Have you done it yourself? Any feedback?

Graces7

terrydel wrote: »

Thanks mate, nice to read that having spent all Saturday afternoon and yesterday sneezing like I've never sneezed before.
And here's me saying that I usually dont get the sneezing part of it!

Awww... So sorry. I had a visitor from the US and she has left me a virus in addition to my hay fever... estivating today,,

rubadub

dealextreme are selling the LED things pretty cheap, €8.15 including delivery

http://www.dx.com/p/rhinitis-sinusitis-nose-therapy-therapentic-massager-916482797#.WwKSEO7t6Uk

This crowd are fine, if something arrives broken they just refund, but it can take many weeks to arrive.

I found it searching "rhinitis"

Samsgirl

Really struggling this year with it. According to met.ie the pollen count is low at the moment. Dreading the next few months.
Wonder do I need to see a doc to get an inhaler?

terrydel

Samsgirl wrote: »

Really struggling this year with it. According to met.ie the pollen count is low at the moment. Dreading the next few months.
Wonder do I need to see a doc to get an inhaler?

Sorry to hear.
I was in a heap last week, 5-6 days now with flixonese or whatever its called, and sterimar nasal spray and Im much better.
Give those a try. Hope they help.

dastardly00

Samsgirl wrote: »

Really struggling this year with it. According to met.ie the pollen count is low at the moment. Dreading the next few months.
Wonder do I need to see a doc to get an inhaler?

What are you taking for it at the moment?

Samsgirl

dastardly00 wrote: »

What are you taking for it at the moment?

Piriton but they make me so drowsy

.......

This post has been deleted.

rubadub

davo2001 wrote: »

Have you done it yourself? Any feedback?

The rhinolight is very expensive.

The options are to pay-as-you-go (€100 each treatment session) or buy and pay at time of booking for a package of 6 or 8 treatments. Reduced price packages MUST be paid for at time of booking. The minimum number of Rhinolight® treatments is 6.

1 treatment costs €100
6 treatments cost either €100 ‘pay-as-you-go’ (total cost €600) or the 6 treatment ‘pay-at-time-of-booking package of €550.
8 treatments cost either €100 pay-as-you-go’ (total cost €800) or the 8 treatment ‘pay-at-time-of-booking package of €750
As a guide: 6 treatments would be advised for the seasonal allergy hay fever while 8 treatments would be recommended where there are all-year-round symptoms such as occurs with allergy to dust mite and pollens (this includes animal hair allergy).

And also factor in time & expense travelling.

I have not seen any figures to see what % of people it does work for. Like the LED phototherapy I expect it will not work for many.

I wonder how much it would cost to buy the unit yourself. Though I would still advise to get & try a cheaper LED unit first.

Borderfox

Dymista for me, works a treat. Tried being off it for two weeks last year and it was unbearable

dastardly00

Samsgirl wrote: »

Piriton but they make me so drowsy

You should try a different antihistamine tablet.
I take cetirizine and it doesn't make me drowsy. It is also very cheap

To also help with your hayfever you could take an over-the-counter nasal spray alongside antihistamine tablets. I take Beconase. It contains a corticosteroid.

I find the combination of antihistamine tablet and nasal spray quite effective for me (as long as I start taking in May rather than waiting for hay fever symptoms to appear)

MAJJ

My Hayfever starts in March/April to Sept, I take Xyzal (levocetirizine) works fairly well, take it 8pm.
On Sinutis I saw a few posts from others - my wife has this really bad, antibiotics/steriods constantly and it was cured by a cranial osteopath.

Back to hayfever - any feedback from anyone using Rhinolight? I am going to get an assessment in a few weeks and may be going with it.

Thanks

rubadub

dastardly00 wrote: »

I take cetirizine and it doesn't make me drowsy. It is also very cheap

that is pretty dear, even if you got the bulk buy offer. I got mine from UK pharmacies for a fraction of the price, not sure if we can discuss them though.

Here is the same one cheaper

https://www.medipharm.ie/cetrine-10mg-tablets-30-tablets.html

another brand
http://johnstonspharmacy.ie/zirpine-10mg-fc-tabs-cetirizine-30tabs

still dearer than the UK sites.

dastardly00

rubadub wrote: »

that is pretty dear, even if you got the bulk buy offer. I got mine from UK pharmacies for a fraction of the price, not sure if we can discuss them though.

Here is the same one cheaper

https://www.medipharm.ie/cetrine-10mg-tablets-30-tablets.html

another brand
http://johnstonspharmacy.ie/zirpine-10mg-fc-tabs-cetirizine-30tabs

still dearer than the UK sites.

D'oh! I put in the wrong link! Meant to show €4.99 for 30 tablets.

But I didn't realise that you could get them even cheaper in a B&M Irish store. Thanks!

Diemos

If it helps anyone, I use Rupadatine and it clears me up completely.

The standard over the counter meds would just take the edge off, so my nose isn't running as much, my eyes aren't as itchy.

But this stuff, clears me up completely.

The catch, it's not available here, just in Spain and Portugal, and perscription in the UK but it is cheap.

davo2001

Christ, kill me now, very bad in the last few days. No amount of cetirzine dihydrochloride or pseudoephedrine is helping :-(

MFlack2012

davo2001 wrote: »

Christ, kill me now, very bad in the last few days. No amount of cetirzine dihydrochloride or pseudoephedrine is helping :-(

Yup same. Thought I was really bad, but just getting worse. At the stage now where I'm gasping for breath after a short walk. Seeing my GP tomorrow to get a higher dose of my inhalers (That hospital prescribed a two weeks ago and GP couldn't find!) Will have to ask about increasing Telfast also. VHI Women's mini marathon on Sunday so don't need to be hacking up a lung

silverharp

was out for a walk near some greenery taking nice deep breaths and nothing so far. My memory is I get it in mid June, Ill see when it kicks off, I would then be curious to know what it is likely to be.

MFlack2012

silverharp wrote: »

was out for a walk near some greenery taking nice deep breaths and nothing so far. My memory is I get it in mid June, Ill see when it kicks off, I would then be curious to know what it is likely to be.

Different allergies in summer. So could just be that you are allergic to a pollen/grass type that has not yet kicked up it's gunk. Unfortunately I'm allergic to most- pollen, mixed grasses, tree pollen etc so effects start to come on April to October severely, but have them all year round also with allergies to dust, dander and mite. My Respiratorist suggested I go live in a bubble on the moon Very helpful.

rubadub

https://www.met.ie/forecasts/pollen

General Comments:
The main grass pollen season is now getting underway so now is the time to start taking your medication so that you avoid that first hay fever attack. There may be some locally moderate levels in areas with lots of meadows during dry and bright days.

Tree Comments:
The tree pollen season is in decline with little to trouble anyone now.

Grass Comments:
We can expect moderate to high grass pollen levels during dry and bright days.

Weed Comments:
Some allergenic weeds are now in flower, namely dock and plantain. The risk will be generally low but some sufferers may be affected.

Spore Comments:
The spore risk will rise to moderate during warm dry weather. Cladosporium, some basidiospores and tilletiopsis are currently airborne.

dastardly00

I was in northern Germany for the last few days... sweet Jebus my eyes... so so itchy!

Graces7

No let up here and I had a friend here from the US who was coughing.. no immune system so a bad fluey chest cold as well as the hay fever..

The island is awash with wild flowers I have not seen for decades so they are forgiven but coughing fits of 2 hours,,,,

silverharp

Graces7 wrote: »

No let up here and I had a friend here from the US who was coughing.. no immune system so a bad fluey chest cold as well as the hay fever..

The island is awash with wild flowers I have not seen for decades so they are forgiven but coughing fits of 2 hours,,,,

whats "the Island"? Ireland or are you off the coast?

Bassfish

dastardly00 wrote: »

I was in northern Germany for the last few days... sweet Jebus my eyes... so so itchy!

The worst bout of hay-fever I've ever experienced was in Berlin. I was there for a Pearl Jam concert and ended up rinsing my eyes with water in the middle of the concert just so I could see! Not fun.

Graces7

silverharp wrote: »

whats "the Island"? Ireland or are you off the coast?

Offshore island... bliss! Once I acclimatise to the pollen etc .

dastardly00

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Most of my symptoms have been mild enough this year - bit of an itchy throat in the mornings but antihistamines seem to sort that out. The exception has been my nose. It's completely out of control and I keep having random attacks of explosive sneezing. Anyone have any tips on keeping this at bay? I've tried Vaseline but doesn't seem to be making a huge difference.

A nasal spray perhaps? (if not using one already)

The_Honeybadger

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

Most of my symptoms have been mild enough this year - bit of an itchy throat in the mornings but antihistamines seem to sort that out. The exception has been my nose. It's completely out of control and I keep having random attacks of explosive sneezing. Anyone have any tips on keeping this at bay? I've tried Vaseline but doesn't seem to be making a huge difference.

Get a neti pot and rinse 2-3 times a day. It’s a horrible procedure but you get used to it quickly and it makes a huge huge difference, for me at least. You should feel much better in a couple of days.

dastardly00

Doctor Jimbob wrote: »

I've tried a couple with little success, went to the pharmacy today to get another which will hopefully help.

It may take a few days or a week for it to start working effectively.
The same with anti-histamine tablets.

terrydel

dastardly00 wrote: »

It may take a few days or a week for it to start working effectively.
The same with anti-histamine tablets.

Yep, they take 4-5 days to get going.

rubadub

I have had only 5-6 sneezes this year that I would put down to hayfever. Max 2 in a day.

I am using my LED device that I got in 2013, every year since I got it I would have had proper hayfever bouts by now and it always relieved it. I used to wait until I got the hayfever before using it. This year I preemptively started to use it, and used it 2-4 times in a row rather than just once.

I wonder if this makes a difference. I have unintentionally ended up cycling on routes which I would have avoided in the past due to hayfever, and could sense it in the air but had no bad effects.

.......

This post has been deleted.