Hayfever

[Garz]

I suffer too but this year has actually been ok so far. I had a runny nose once at the start of last week, looks like it's the early warning sign then.

Apparently you can get an injection that lasts all year, not tried this option though.

 

[festival]

I have developed a hayfever type problem in recent years, dry cough, itchy skin as well as eyes and nose.
I take Cetirizine almost all year round, the GP says its fine although I stop every 5 or 6 weeks then after about 4or 5 days the symptoms return so I start again.
Makes a big difference on the bike.

 

[Thomk]

Bike allergy?

 

[sidevalve]

Developed hay fever in the last ten years or so and it's definately grass pollen. The only upside to this constant rain is that the damn stuff lies sodden in the fields and not in my face, [a bit hard on the farmers I suppose but you can't have everything]. I have noticed that wearing full wrap around safety type specs when riding does seem to help keep the eyes working.

 

[HLaB]

Ive never suffered from Hay fever before but this year It was particularly bad when I was down south

 

[Bexmay]

I've suffered since I was a kid. The grasses seem to have gone nuts this year and as someone else has mentioned the elderflower is going great to (good for the elderflower wine making. )
I can't take the drowsy antihistamine as it totally makes me feel woozy. So I take one non drowsy in the evening and another in the morning seems to do the trick for the worst of my symptoms. Really notice it if I've been out on the bike or across the field with the dog and forgotten to take them.
Doesn't help that I live on a boat moored next to a grassy towpath and grassy fields either.

 

[al78]

I've been taking the Benadryl one a day which is Cetirizine, unfortunately it seems to provide only minor relief, and my eyes and nose are still streaming when I get to work. I'll have to try the Loratadine to see if that improves things.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

Being asthmatic, I never had hay fever when I was on Intal. But since I was put on QVar I've had it most years.

When the Tai Chi exercises fail I'm on Benadryl Plus. The standard version does nothing for me.

 

[Banjo]

After never suffering for 54 years this year I have been affected by it.No idea why it should get me all of a sudden.I have noticed that getting indoors and taking a shower clears it.

Oddly I havent been badly affected out on the bike.

 

[JozeeB]

It is bad in the Northwest today.

Any views on the merits of Loratadine versus Cetirizine?

I think its been bad round here (Stockport!) for the last month or so.
I have been prescribed all the various options over the years but currently using Piriton (over the counter) as its seems to work best for me. Loratadine doesn't seem to do it for me this year, although it has in previous years. The best one I ever had was Atarax but docs don't seem to like prescribing it now. Doc won't even prescribe Piriton due to potential sedating effect but it really doesn't affect me at all like that.

Think the bottom line is that different anti-histamines work well for different people! My GP swears by nasal sprays but I just can't stand them!!

 

[Thomk]

My GP swears by nasal sprays

He/she is right to highlight nasal sprays. They are the single most effective treatment if taken 2 weeks prior to symptoms and regularly during the hayfever season IMO.