Discussion
Is it possible to 'catch' hay fever?
I assumed it was an allergy that some people were just genetically suseptable. Fortunately I wasn't one of them, but my nose has been running for a fortnight now with no other significant cold type symptoms and I'm wondering if I've developed hay fever.
Is it a really bad period for pollen or anything?
I assumed it was an allergy that some people were just genetically suseptable. Fortunately I wasn't one of them, but my nose has been running for a fortnight now with no other significant cold type symptoms and I'm wondering if I've developed hay fever.
Is it a really bad period for pollen or anything?
It can come and go at any time. Mine has been fine for the last couple of years, barely a sniffle, where before that I've had summers where my it's been so bad my eyes have closed up completely and I've had to give my car keys to a mate to get us home. This despite injections, and all the pills and potions in the world to try and get it to bugger off.
My grandmother started getting it quite bad a few years ago, having never had it before, and last year is the first time my mum's ever suffered with it.
My grandmother started getting it quite bad a few years ago, having never had it before, and last year is the first time my mum's ever suffered with it.
Edited by Stu R on Monday 22 March 12:41
Stu R said:
It can come and go at any time. Mine has been fine for the last couple of years, barely a sniffle, where before that I've had summers where my it's been so bad my eyes have closed up completely and I've had to give my car keys to a mate to get us home. This despite injections, and all the pills and potions in the world to try and get it to bugger off.
My grandmother started getting it quite bad a few years ago, having never had it before, and last year is the first time my mum's ever suffered with it.
I used to suffer like that many years ago, and my teens were misery in the summer, and my twenties. I dreaded the start of summer, despite being a biker. I also had hay fever related asthma too, just to add to the misery.My grandmother started getting it quite bad a few years ago, having never had it before, and last year is the first time my mum's ever suffered with it.
My thirties I spent living overseas, so never suffered much.
I'm now fifty, back in England, but four or five years ago the local hay fever/asthma specialist nurse put me onto a procedure that all but cured my hay fever. Very simple, but take a hay fever tablet every day, from before the season starts, until after it has finished. Even on rainy days, take that tab every morning. And also a squirt of Beconase up the nose morning and evening. I hardly feel a thing nowadays.
I think I use Loratydine (sp?) tabs for hay fever, forget now.
The tree pollen allergy season has kicked off with a vengeance. Birch is the worst for me.
I find that all antihistamines make me drowsy to some extent, however bog-standard Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) is more effective and a lot cheaper.
Eating lots of pineapple helps too as it contains an enzyme (bromelain) which is anti-inflammatory.
I find that all antihistamines make me drowsy to some extent, however bog-standard Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride) is more effective and a lot cheaper.
Eating lots of pineapple helps too as it contains an enzyme (bromelain) which is anti-inflammatory.
To answer your first question, no it is not possible to "catch" hayfever. It is possible to develop the symptoms of hayfever at any age though so it is possible that this is your problem.
Tree pollens begin to be released from March through to April and if you have become sensitive to this the then symptom of a streaming nose is one of the signs of hayfever
Having said that, there are some tenacious cold viruses around at the moment which could easily cause these sort of symptoms for the stated period of time.
Tree pollens begin to be released from March through to April and if you have become sensitive to this the then symptom of a streaming nose is one of the signs of hayfever
Having said that, there are some tenacious cold viruses around at the moment which could easily cause these sort of symptoms for the stated period of time.
I suffered from absolutely terrible hayfever as a child (especially around exam times at school - great!) but over the years it has gradually receded.
My brother, on the other hand, had no symptoms at all as a kid but nowadays is looking more and more of a dribbling mess as each summer arrives...
My brother, on the other hand, had no symptoms at all as a kid but nowadays is looking more and more of a dribbling mess as each summer arrives...
I'll give it a little longer before trying to diagnose/treat it. Is it worth going to your GP for hay fever or do you just give anti-histamines a go and see what happens?
I grew up in the country, surrounded by trees and greenery, so it seem unlikely it would suddenly kick off now in London? Maybe cycling and driving open cars is doing it?
I grew up in the country, surrounded by trees and greenery, so it seem unlikely it would suddenly kick off now in London? Maybe cycling and driving open cars is doing it?
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