Do you have any lifehacks for heyfever?
Posted by CineRanter-YTchannel@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 134 comments
Heyfever season seems to have fully kicked off now and mine has been awful for the past week or so. Does anyone have any tips on combatting it?
Even the non-drousy tablets make me lethargic and sleepy and they don't work as well as I would hope. Eyedrops are a great help.
I have found wetting a cloth and keeping it with me to wet my face every now and then really helps, plus a few common-sense things like changing clothes when I come into the house and having a shower
WronglyPronounced@reddit
Fexofenadine is the god send, you can buy the 120mg or get prescribed 180. Take a couple a day and you will see a night and day difference
Pretend-Leopard-1841@reddit
Doesn’t do anything for me. As soon grass pollen goes slightly above low my nose is blocked/semi blocked. Currently on my 2nd week of a constant blocked nose.
ParisLondon56@reddit
It's sold as Allevia OTC now. Been a lifesaver this season for me. Boots or Superdrug had an offer 2 for 1 in the past 2 weeks.
Double-Standard7701@reddit
Home bargains £3 odd for 30 tablets
Crafty-Gardener@reddit
Also sold as TreatHay often on clubcard offer in Tesco
Oneinchwalrus@reddit
super cheap in home and bargains
Varvara-Sidorovna@reddit
It had strikingly violent side effects for me in comparison to any other antihistamine I've ever taken. Never had a moment of pain or oddness on the generics, but a week of Allevia gave me a migraine type headache for four days straight, and a faint but constant feeling of nausea and dizziness.
Glad it works for most folk, but side effects are funny things.
ParisLondon56@reddit
That's insane. It always amazes me how differently things affect others. What one works best for you?
Varvara-Sidorovna@reddit
Generic Cetirizine tablet before bed and sodium cromoglycate eye drops as needed. Works 99% of the time for me.
But Allevia was a monster, never again.
ParisLondon56@reddit
Ah. That crapped out on me a decade or so again.
Codego_Bray@reddit
Changed my life this stuff . It's on Clubcard offer too.
Chocolatetrifle0804@reddit
1 in the morning and night, or just 2 in the morning ?
CandyQueen85@reddit
Do you take more than one Fexofenadine a day? I've been prescribed the 180mg tablets and only take one a day, in the morning, but still end up with sneezing fits all day, and a blocked nose at night that stops me sleeping well.
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
Okay so you can take fexofenadine more than once a day but only for a very short amount of time as its very bad for you, so it's not really reccomended. Try taking fexofenadine 180mg once a day and use Beconase nasal spray twice a day. I have absolutely horrendous hay fever and these two things together are the only things that help.
I would also reccomend you take the tablets on an empty stomach at the same time every day. I feel doing that helped a lot.
Mfombe@reddit
GP here - it's not bad for you - for some conditions use it up to 4 a day "off licence"
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
I got told by a pharmacist about the 4 day off licence but it's not reccomended long term and only for a short amount of time.
Mfombe@reddit
My sister is a pharmacist and they are often far more hesitant about stuff off licence (easier when you have the record) :)
Very safe - only really rare heart problem would stop using it at the four a day dose - even for weeks - but with doctor advice
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
Ah that's good to know. I suffer from hay-fever really badly, even had experimental radiation treatment on my nose to try and help with it. If I'm having a particularly bad day would you recommend taking a few throughout the day?
Mfombe@reddit
As with anything off licence you should speak to your doc but I often recommend people to do what you suggested :)
Talking about off-licence stuff for hay fever - Montelukast is prescription only - usually for asthma but can be great too.
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
I work in a hospital will speak to a few connections and see what they say. Thanks for the advice :)
CandyQueen85@reddit
I've recently got the Beconase spray so hoping that helps, I haven't been using it long.
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
It takes a few days till it sorted
hattifie@reddit
I recommend fexofenadine 180mg a day plus dymista nasal spray (prescription only, steroid based so reduces inflammation and makes breathing so much easier!) On their own neither was enough for me, but in combination I get almost 0 symptoms (a couple sneezes during the day, but no symptoms at night).
CandyQueen85@reddit
I used to have Dymista prescribed but it's no longer available on my repeat prescriptions page, and I just hate trying to get an appointment with the GP! If it gets really bad I'll have to, but for now I'm trying another nasal spray to see if that helps
WronglyPronounced@reddit
I'm prescribed for 2 a day but the doctor said I should take as many as necessary up to about 5 but I've never needed anything close to that. The allergy clinic confirmed that this was ok as well
Nemariwa@reddit
It works no question, but I get every side effect in the book. I'd recommend taking at night so sleepiness is less of an issue but I also get mood swings and it's just not worth it.
TheCarrot007@reddit
Of course like any of them it will eventuallyt stop working.
Am back to cetirizine (not sure on orig brand) now, with occasional top up chlorphenamine maleate (piriton). Not of them make me drowsy so that is fine.
Icy_Gap_9067@reddit
I take it for my eczema. I think I was prescribed a short course of it years ago for a bad flare up but now I just take one normal Allevia each day from late spring through the summer.
Artistic_Bowl4698@reddit
Yeah it really works like magic
SeanMaskill@reddit
This! I've tried all the over the counter drugs and none of them worked at all.
I tried the 180mg fexodanadine in Australia as its available over the counter there and immediately got a prescription when I got back to the UK. Its the only thing that's ever worked for me. Also, doesn't make me drowsy.
UnlawfulAnkle@reddit
Why is a remedy a 'lifehack'?
NorthernMonk3y@reddit
While it won't help you when out and about, consider getting a decent air purifier (or a couple - upstairs and downstairs) for your home. They cost basically nothing to run (unlike an air conditioner).
Has helped the better half immensely as it gives immediate relief when inside.
dhadj@reddit
Any specific air purifiers that you recommend?
Atthelibrary409@reddit
We have a Homedics purifier which is brilliant
NorthernMonk3y@reddit
We got a Phillips 3000i - regularly "on sale" on Amazon (UK) for ~£270.
It's a lot to spend, but this one can purify a really large area quickly, so it has been decent enough to make a difference in the whole house (but that obviously takes more time when on another floor).
We also have indoor pets that need hay, and this thing immediately senses the increase in pollen when we change it and turns the fan up to turbo, which clears all the pollen from the air in a minute or two which makes a massive difference to the better halves' allergy.
The other reason we went for this one rather than a smaller model is that it's filter should only need replacing every 3 years. While a replacement currently costs £85, this still works out cheaper than the smaller options that require more regular replacements.
The other option would be to get a couple of much smaller ones and put them in key spaces like your living room and bedroom.
I was genuinely surprised at the difference it made when we first got it even though our house is kept clean and dust free. My nose actually felt a bit like it was running because it was so much more clear - similar to if you've ever been up a mountain or far away from pollution.
Our friends bought two after staying at our house as they have two large dogs and they said the difference they made was crazy, albeit they have to vacuum the filter a lot more than we do!
There are lots of different ones available which I'm sure are all fine. Some connect to an app/smart home like ours, others have a remote etc.
Just remember to check what size space they are rated for (m²) and ensure it is at least enough for the room you want it for. And also make sure you are able to actually buy replacement filters and how much they cost, as with some of the lesser known brands I looked at, I couldn't find replacement filters to buy anywhere...!
dhadj@reddit
Sweet! Thanks for all the tips and info! I'll look into the Phillips one. I had considered the dyson one but wasn't sure how good it was.
NorthernMonk3y@reddit
No probs. We have a couple of Dyson things, but I think their air filters are just way over priced when other brands do literally the same thing - they just aren't different enough to justify the price, like some of their other stuff is.
PulsarCollision@reddit
I bought a relatively inexpensive Levoit air purifier for our bedroom recently and it's made a big difference to my hay fever.
ShineAtom@reddit
This is what I was going to suggest. An air purifier helps enormously (for me at any rate).
MysteriousTable6394@reddit
Not necessarily a life hack, but I have to 'overdose' on my 1st bad day. It entails:
Once I know it's calmed down, I just top up with fexo on the days after, plus nasal balm
I don't know if doctors still issue them, but there is a hayfever injection - my uncle gets them, and it works a treat
BCS24@reddit
I highly recommend rubbing Vaseline on the inside of your nostrils
Comprehensive_Gap693@reddit
I have a weird red light thing I stick up my nose from lloyds. It actually really helps!
OriginalPlonker@reddit
I was talking about this with my local pharmacist - I just stopped taking tablets altogether. I think this only works if your hayfever comes on slowly or low-grade though.
Up until mayben5 years ago the absolute cheapest antihistamines that Asda stocked would knock me flat out. By the end of summer, even Cllaratyn would not touch my symptoms. I went cold turkey and had the easiest summer I could remember. Low grade for a month or so, then just forgot all about it. Been like that ever since.
Remote-Pool7787@reddit
Wash your face and hands regularly and clean your glasses if you wear. Keep your hair off your face
Hot-tea99@reddit
Buy a sleep gel eye mask that goes in the freezer, i love it and it helps with eye swelling. If you are home a lot buy two and keep them on rotation.
Food_face@reddit
Dymista - Had to get it from the Docs because hayfever causes migraines, since having this NOTHING
Flimsy-Wishbone-4750@reddit
This may sound stupid/obvious but if you're in a high pollen area outdoors then breathe through your mouth and not your nose. Ive only just started doing it and don't know why I didn't think of it years ago.
Ismays@reddit
Combine nasal spray like Beconase with anti-histamines, and check out the active ingredient eg cetirizine or loratidine because you may find one suits you better.
likethefish33@reddit
I can’t take cetrizine, it makes me depressed…
wadz09@reddit
Seconded on the check the active ingredients:
Acrivastine is the only one that has any effect for me
modumberator@reddit
Acrivastine is the best for me too, only available as name-brand Benadryl over here
wadz09@reddit
Yeah benedryl is the one I use. Alongside option eye drops and beconase nasal spray.
mikehive@reddit
Beconase nasal spray is the one for me (the one with the orange text on the cover, not the green one). Beclometasone dipropionate.
It takes a couple of days of taking it before my symptoms go away but when they do it's perfect.
I've had hayfever symptoms for 20 years and tried every form of pill, always found them mostly useless or unsuitable in various ways (eg they only worked for an hour, or made me drowsy, etc). Nowadays I don't even bother with the pills and just use the nasal spray.
SosigDoge@reddit
If nothing else works for you, take one sink filled with cold water and dunk your face in it, gently wiping your eyes from the inside to outside. It's the best.
Icy-Hippopotenuse@reddit
Mometasone nose spray helped me for years with allergic rhinitis and hay fever. I recently got a new inhaler for my allergic asthma and it had changed my life, all allergies gone! (Fostair)
windy-turbines@reddit
I've not seen this mentioned yet (probably because there's a lack of scientific evidence), but some people swear by eating honey made by local bees. It's supposed to desensitise you to the pollen in the air...
Al-Calavicci@reddit
Face masks work wonders, a covid benefit that I wish I thought of fifty years ago.
grayscalemamba@reddit
Fine mesh screens on your windows can help too I've read. Bonus if you need your windows open at night to cool the house, no moths and mayflies can get in.
jamesmowry@reddit
Seconded, a quality mask like a 3M Aura might be a game-changer.
At home, keep the windows shut and run an air filter. I've been impressed with the Smart Air range: they're simple no-nonsense products that move a lot of air for their price.
I find that Benadryl Allergy Relief (Acrivastine) capsules work reasonably well for me and don't cause drowsiness, so that might be worth a go if you haven't tried it already. (But do make sure it's the Acrivastine version, there are other Benadryl products that have different antihistamines in them)
sshiverandshake@reddit
Tagging onto this comment for visibility.
Another non-medical / supplement solution which has worked wonders for my friend's and I is a ketogenic diet.
A European study was conducted which found that a low carb diet reduces the incidence of allergies, I'll see if I can find the study again and link it here.
CynicalGodoftheEra@reddit
Wear a mask. I find this helps alot, reduces blocked sinuses at night.
I know some don't like the idea, but it is effective.
Other is keep outside cloths away from your living space, and shower completely once you return.
Basically covid level of sanitary is required to reduce pollen exposure.
ImpossibleWorking948@reddit
This sounds silly and I didn't believe it at first but... smoking. Real cigarettes work better than rollies. I quit a few years ago after smoking for 18 years but it did genuinely help when my hayfever was bad.
RedditSwitcherooney@reddit
The only antihistamine that ever worked for me was Chlorpheneramine. Three a day but I only usually need to take one or two. Unfortunately they're listed as drowsy but they've never affected me in that way (which is also a shame because I have trouble sleeping sometimes).
You can get them OTC in most pharmacies quite cheap without a prescription.
Rosswaldo@reddit
I had a co-worker that swore by nettle tea.
insertitherenow@reddit
Expose yourself to it. Mine can be bad but the more I spend time in the garden the better it gets.
tibsie@reddit
I bought myself an air filter for my bedroom. That thing works like a charm, but only when I'm in there and I have the windows closed.
spookystarbuck11@reddit
God I wish I knew.
I have 180mg fexafenadine daily, nasal sprays, eye drops, antihistamines, sunglasses and vaseline round my nose and I'm still itchy and sneezy like a mo' fo
ArCKAngel365@reddit
Best outcome is NHS allergist, allergy test, and immunotherapy for your specific allergen. Aside from that, change clothes when you get home, buy a hepa air filter for the home with a large filter and high volume airflow. Hit me up if you want a recommendation. Wash your face. I also found using a neti pot really helps as it cleans your nasal cavity out. I’ve tried the red light nasal insert things. They do sort of help but they also dry you up a lot. Worth a try. Aside from all of this, alternate different antihistamine active ingredients each season: Loratadine, fertilising, fexofenadine and I think Benadryl is also different but check that.
CriDuck@reddit
This is going to sound silly, but honey or bee pollen is a natural remedy that has been known to help with hayfever and asthma in the past.
It helps me.
ArCKAngel365@reddit
As a person who bought local honey for three years, it has had exactly ZERO effect other than being a drain on my wallet. I stopped because it’s totally BS in my experience. If it works for others, great, but I’ve had no change.
CriDuck@reddit
Okay
10642alh@reddit
Local honey is apparently the key (according to my mother lol).
CriDuck@reddit
How local? 😂 the bees from the garden, county, country? I must know!
Valuable-Island-1880@reddit
Honey from the town or immediate area you live in is ideal. If that isn’t available then find something from your county. The goal is to get honey from bees that are feeding off plants that you will encounter in your day to day. We are blessed with lots of good local honey suppliers in this country so you should be able to find one fairly easily!
10642alh@reddit
She said the area where you live, as local as possible!
haemhorrhoidian@reddit
Local honeys the bollocks, been using it for years now.
Working-Hat4932@reddit
One year i was struggling so much i found putting vaseline around my nostrils, this catches some of the pollen! It oddly helped
Conscious_Ad2446@reddit
Quercitin
nursehomo@reddit
If you're also asthmatic ask your GP to prescribe montelukast. It's an anti-leukotriene (leukotrienes are also involved in the inflammation cascade in allergies, like histamines).
I used to have unbearable hayfever, but since starting montelukast I only need to take an antihistamine (fexofenadine or acrivastine) on super high pollen days.
Not much help if you don't have an asthma diagnosis though as I don't think drs will prescribe montelukast without one.
EFNich@reddit
You can get the hayfever injection privately which lasts 3 months. It's brilliant!
Ollie-North@reddit
There's a lot of different antihistamine. The main ones on the shelf are Loratadine, Cetirizine and Chlorphenamine. Try each one to see if either works for you better. You can buy generic, no need to go name brand.
My top suggestion is Fexofenadine, only available to buy otc in the last few years and it's been a game changer for me.
I wouldn't recommend using a nasal spray, that's a slippery slope and can make congestion worse.
Emotional_Dealer_159@reddit
You're thinking of short-term decongestant nasal sprays.
You can safely use steroid and/or saline sprays long term. I'm prescribed Mometasone spray long term - I started out with Beconase but it wasn't strong enough.
w-anchor-emoji@reddit
Fluticasone propionate steroid nasal sprays aren’t addictive like the ones that clear your nose; they’re a game changer in hayfever season.
Alarming_Syllabub506@reddit
Yes, they're the best nasal spray ever! I was in a terrible state on Sunday, went to the pharmacy on Monday morning, used it right there and then and I was better in less than 1 hour.
bekcy@reddit
Yeah I got 'addicted' to nasal sprays so I avoid them now haha.
Whollie@reddit
I have a nasal spray and that combined with daily antihistamines usually does ok. You need to find an antihistamine that works for you and take it religiously, regardless of symptoms. Treat the symptoms you have. Some people it's eyes, some it's nose, work with what you need. There's no hack unfortunately.
That said, fresh pillow cases as often as you can, shower and wash your hair before bed if you can and face wipes can all help.
bonkerz1888@reddit
Just cut your nose off to spite your face.
imob10@reddit
Get the Kenalog injection! It is life changing.
I first did it 2 years ago in the July and my symptoms stopped immediately.
Last year I had one in April and I needed a 2nd in July and it’s pretty much going the same this year, had my first in March and I have my second scheduled for tomorrow.
Google pharmacy’s in your area that offer the service and it should be about £50. Some private skin clinics also offer it but can be substantially more, the one I used first charged £90 but in all honesty, I would pay that again if I was desperate just for the relief.
Sufficient-Muscle-24@reddit
Local honey helps, as the bees use the local pollen thats bothering you and helps your body build up resistance
Optimal_Collection77@reddit
Go to the doctor's. Don't bother with over the counter meds. Also if you are struggling to breathe some nasal sprays are incredible
Diefenbachia@reddit
My mum swears by putting a little vaseline on the inside of her nose to trap pollen.
I find antihistamines (acrivastine or loratadine), opticrom eye drops, and nasal spray helpful, as well as keeping windows closed, wearing sunglasses outdoors, and showering when I get home.
WarmTransportation35@reddit
facemask when outside helps
No_Aioli1470@reddit
You can bulk buy antihistamines on Amazon. We're talking 180 of them for under £6
ddmf@reddit
It really seems to have crept up over this last weekend - almost no antihistamines work for me, the only ones are either a) acravastine - benadryl 8 hour, or b) chlorphenamine which knocks me out.
Lukewarm showers, air purifier, hayfever wipes (once you rub your eyes that's game over), lip balm or suchlike to put over nostrils/eyes, outdoor clothes and indoor clothes, window trickle valves closed.
Basically staying indoors while it's sunny outside is how I've survived these 40+ years - I've cracked ribs with sneezing it's that bad.
Silver lining - really good abs.
vegass67@reddit
Ive had the Kenalog injection for the past two summers. Best decision ive ever made, my hayfever has went from a 10 to a 1.
bbgun24@reddit
Where did you get that done?
vegass67@reddit
I think you can only get it done privately, i think It used to be on the NHS though. I live in Scotland and get it from a place called Welltree Clinic each year.
I should probably say that it can have some potential side effects, although Ive never experienced anyway.
bbgun24@reddit
I did a search and it’s increasingly rare by the sounds of it. Thanks for the reply
vegass67@reddit
Huh. Seems to be easily accessible where I live. No worries
bbgun24@reddit
Tow more questions if you don’t mind. Is it one injection for the season and how much do you pay for it? I may have found someone local-ish
vegass67@reddit
No problem. I pay £100 for a dose at the start/mid of May, then i go back for a second dose at the end of June if im feeling more hayfever symptoms than i want to tolerate, and that second dose is £50.
They do offer the double dose for £150, but i prefer to pace the two out over may-july which is when i suffer.
I did discuss with my GP before i first went, and they basically said ‘upto you’. I also dont have any other allergies other than, ye know, pollen.
_nimbles@reddit
Everyone I know that suffers swears by local honey with breakfast a few times a week
WanTwoThousand@reddit
Wash your pillow cases, then wash your hair every night before bed. Pollen will get in your hair throughout the day, then you smush that hair into your pillows, ready to be inhaled every time you move around in the night.
I have a bit of hay fever, but my allergy to cats is worse. Whenever I go anywhere with a lot of cat fur about, I always wash the clothes I wore there and wash my hair to get rid of as much as possible. Seems to help.
kingofthepumps@reddit
Kenalog injections, fexofenadine, night time showers, changing your pillow case regularly, steroid nasal spray, air purifier. I do the lot.
Mr_Emile_heskey@reddit
Get fexofenadine 180mg and use Baconase nasal spray twice a day. I suffer from horrendous hay fever and this is the only thing that has given me any sort of relief.
Recording_Important@reddit
Mucinex D
killingmehere@reddit
Being pregnant cures both my hayfever and eczema....bit of a drastic life hack though
Original-Carpet2451@reddit
I had really bad heyfever for years. About 10 years ago I started drinking honegar every morning. Honegar is a mix of raw honey and raw apple cider vinegar in water. I get the honey locally and mix it up myself. It took a couple of years but I only get very mild heyfever now and some years I have none at all (none so far this year). Obviously I can't say for sure the honegar had anything to do with it. I know people sometimes just grow out of heyfever. But I'm not about to stop the honegar to find out.
sleepingbehelit@reddit
Eat local honey
CertainPlatypus9108@reddit
Take the one a day hay fever meds at bed time
CertainPlatypus9108@reddit
Being drowsy seems better than these hacks
lavenderacid@reddit
If it's not been diagnosed, MAKE SURE ITS ACTUALLY HAYFEVER. I had terrible "hayfever" for years, antihistamines wouldn't touch it and I couldn't work out why. Tried everything like you've described. Finally got an allergy test and it was a wheat, soy and peanut allergy. Cut those out and my "hay-fever symptoms" stopped.
sideone@reddit
Did you only eat those things in summer?
lavenderacid@reddit
No I just thought I was unlucky. Didn't develop these allergies until I was a teenager, so the first time I had a reaction, it was itchy and swollen face, lots of sneezing, but also happened to be during the summer. A teacher said I'd probably developed hay-fever and that was that I went to the doctor and even A&E about it many times, but nobody ever did an allergy test. Finally got myself one as a student and that's how I found out.
ghodsgift@reddit
Daily anti-histamines (1 per day)
Sterimar nasal spray to clean your nostrils (2x per day)
Dymista (or other brand) steroid based nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis (1-2 per day)
You'll be golden after that.
DebraUknew@reddit
Had severe hay fever since 16 during the hot 1976 summer . Only in the last 3 years it seems to be so much better
Aging is the cure?!
clearshaw@reddit
Nasal rinse, and told by a Dr, put Vaseline up your nose to stop the pollen going any further.
DebraUknew@reddit
My elderly dad used to recommend that’s
DebraUknew@reddit
If you can dry bedsheets and towels in the dryer and rest of your clothes.
Made a HUGE difference to me
shrieeiee@reddit
It seems worse this year for some reason! Everyone's mentioned Fexofenadine already, it's great, I have trouble with Cetirizine and Loratidine isn't doing it for me this year.
Hepa air filters help a bunch too, we've got a few around the house and they make a noticeable difference. If you decide to try one, go for the one with the biggest filter you can afford and check the price of replacements beforehand, if you're feeling spendy, grab at least 4 replacements when you buy it. Sometimes they go way up in price or just disappear for a few months, even on the big brands.
On the days when nothing works, Sudafed max strength will get you through the day. Generic versions work just the same as long as they have pseudoephedrine. You have to get it from the pharmacy counter and be quizzed to make sure you're not Jessie Pinkman though. It's probably not good to take regular.
Fitzsip@reddit
A little dab of vaseline up each nostril works wonders for me. Stops a runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes. Also soothes a dry red nose from blowing my nose the day before when I forget to use it.
grockle90@reddit
One which I only heard recently but has been a game changer - take your daily antihistamine just before bed at night.
Pollen count is at its highest in the few hours just before dawn, so this gives the meds enough time to kick in, and so they are at "full force" for the worst part of the day.
In terms of eyedrops, I was told by GP a while back that anything with Sodium Cromoglicate is what you should look for - Opticrom, Optrex for Hayfever etc.
And don't forget, for antihistamine pills to be most effective, it's recommended to start taking them a couple of weeks before hayfever season, and take them every day, in order to keep your levels "topped up" throughout allergy season.
MysteriousTable6394@reddit
Just to add on the eye drops, check if they're compatible with contact lenses - there's a few that aren't and I nearly found out the hard way lol
indianna97@reddit
This is a "in for the long run" tip - buy some honey that is local to the area you are predominantly in. Throughout the year have a teaspoon a day. This naturally gives you some sort of immunity to the pollen in the area - of course still continue to take any medicine that helps but my friend has tried and tested this honey method past few years and her hay fever is CONSIDERABLY better. I'm talking she would get so bad she would have to go home to a dark room if we were sat outside too long - she hasn't been that bad since trying the honey method.
Farty_McPartypants@reddit
lavander and eucaluptus essential oils, both in burners around the house and on a tissue in your pocket to sniff on. they work really well for us - even for my sons non hayfever allergy!
Dazz316@reddit
If your eyes get really itchy. Wet a handcloth and lie down with it over your face. I sorta push the cloth into the corner of my eyes and lie there for a bit. It's like the cloth absorbs the pollen or something. It's nto something that will sort you for the day, but in the afternoon when it's gotten kinda bad it's a nice break and relief.
Electric-Lamb@reddit
The steroid nasal spray is much better than antihistamines but it needs to build up for a few days to work. If you use it for 3 days, then you probably won’t even need antihistamines
Gangat00th@reddit
Local honey and nettle stings, don't eat the nettles just get stung by them, eat the honey though.
BadMoles@reddit
Bongela.
If like me you get a very irritated nose, to the extent you have a patch that is incredibly itchy, keeps making you sneeze and your nose run - get a cotton bud, dip it in a dollop of bongela and rub it into the affected area.
Be prepared for a really sensitive reaction - eyes streaming, sneezing, etc. and then calm.
Bongela has a local anaesthetic that quickly numbs the area and gives you relief for a good 30 mins or so, by which time the irritation has often settled down enough that you're ok.
ConsidereItHuge@reddit
I know someone who had it really bad and just stopped treating it with meds. It got better and now just has mild outbreaks on high pollen days.
We need to build up a tolerance to pollen and antihistamines stop us from doing that.
Ollie-North@reddit
Doesn't work for everyone. I've had severe hay fever from a young age, to the point where my eyes have swollen shut. Tried it all, tolerance, exposure, local honey, human sacrifice. Nothing but good old druggos has helped so far.
ConsidereItHuge@reddit
This guy was the same, it took him a couple of summers of suffering but it's much better now. Worth a try at least.
HeavyHevonen@reddit
Use a neti pot to wash your sinuses with warm salt water
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