pollen

I suffer badly from "Hayfever" most of the year. I when to a specialist who did some allegic tests and found out that I did not suffer from Hayfever but from house dust mites and grass seed. Not pollen. The effects are the same as is causes hestimine to be produced which is the chemical for runny noses, eyes itching noses etc. and there are numerous anti-hestimine drugs on the market. The only way to find the best one for you is to try them all as there effectiveness depens upon the individual.

I have found the following has reduced my symtems considerably:

1) Hoovering the bed as this is where most house dust mites live and you spend most of your time in doors

2) When doing anything romotely in the garden I where my "Gardening clothes" and as soon as I have finished I take them off and shower and put them in the machine. I never keep them on longer than need be.

3) Cutting the grass when it is a little damp keeps the grass seed down considerly.

Re the medication I do not take any antihestimine tablets any more becuase the above reduces the need although it is impossible to escape grass seed so I do take:

1) Boots own Nasel Spray (Oxymetazoneline Hydrochloride) for congestion. This is smoother and softer on the nose than Vickes and last longer. Vickes just burns.

2) Drink elderflower tea. Elderflower contains an antihestimne drug. However to get enough of the dose you need around 6-8 cups a day. Doctor Stuarts brand has the highest elderflower content and is available form health stores. I find it is easier to drink it when it is cold or like warm. After a while it starts to taste good too!

3) Best of all is a spray called "Sterimar". Is is only salt water but it cleans all the nasel passage and gets rid of an nasties making you sneeze.

Oh yes, if you go for tablets get them on perscription and get them for severeal months otherwise the over the counter prices will be very expensive.

Hope that helps.

I love it when Al rants about pseudo science!  (Mostly cos I agree with him!)

I actually suffer from perennial rhinitis - in other words hayfever all year round, as well as being allergic to house dust, old books, fungal spores, the works really.

I get all my stuff on prescription: loratadine because it doesn't make me sleepy, and beconase.  Both of these can be bought over the counter - if I need an emergency supply tesco is the cheapest by miles.

I also hoover the bed, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to squirt salt water up my nose - I'm hope the occasional capsize on the sea will do the job!

Originally posted by alstorer Homoeopathy breaks every known law of physics, chemistry and medicine. It just plain does not work.

Except for my daughter, who doesn't suffer from tonsillitis any more, thanks to some pills made of 'nothing but sugar'.

Further "long term sufferer" tips.
Non-"green" ones:
shower lots. If you're really suffering an attack, and it's possible, take a shower. Put on clean clothes (especially top half) after.
If you've got a tumble dryer- it can be useful to use it. Drying on the line exposes clothes/bedsheets to pollen.

Originally posted by hollandsd the best thing short of drugs is local honey, the best stuff is the pure unfiltered stuff straight  from the hive. Dan

So you just stick your head in the hive and start eating?