Hay fever. If you suffer from it you know that this is something that can be painful, annoying, draining and a massive pain in the behind! This is something that I’ve suffered from, not from childhood, but for the last few years. Honestly? It’s awful! This year I’ve found myself having something of a routine to help ease my suffering. So what have I been doing and why?
This year is different!
I’ve kept an eye on my hay fever and it has a pattern. But this year it’s been blown out of the window! My hay fever tends to kick in around February as spring tries to rear it’s head and then I’m done before summer. It reaches a peak and then it lessens and lessens and by the time I know it I feel normal. Unfortunately this year it still has me in a chokehold. And every time I feel it’s getting better or heading out it comes back again. This is why this year I’ve decided not to just stick with tablets and suffer silently but be a little more proactive.
Changed my prescription of antihistamines
On the advice of the drop in clinic at my local chemist (passed on by my GP), it was suggested to change my prescription of Fexofenadine hydrochloride from 120mg to 180mg. Sometimes what we’re prescribed may need to change if our symptoms change or how we deal with it.
Using an eye wash
Despite having itchy and uncomfortable eyes in past years, I’ve never tackled them with an eye wash before. This year I needed it! Used every morning, and in the evening if needed, I find this to be comforting, refreshing and helpful. My eyes have been watering, heavy, tired and overall uncomfortable and this takes a tiny edge of it.
Shea butter
A natural product that I always have to hand anyway, but I’ve been using this around my nose. Sneezing, wiping my nose constantly has left my nose so sore. I’ve used this to keep it moisturised and protected and to help this area heal. Shea butter is a well known moisturiser, anti-inflammatory and helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier.
Not technically hay fever related but connected, skin issues using a mild steriod
If you suffer from hay fever, you might suffer from asthma or/and skin conditions. Unfortunately, certain areas of my skin have been itchy, troublesome and raised. Normally, I just keep my skin well moisturised. Now? I’m sick of suffering in silence and was prescribed a mild steroid (hydrocortisone) to help these areas.
Ears, help!
My ears have been troublesome. They occasionally get blocked but at the moment on top of that they are itchy, dry and an absolute pain. An advisor at the chemist said these symptoms are connected with hay fever or at least hay fever has made it worse. So I’ve been using olive oil drops for wax build up, steroid cream for itchiness and shea butter to help with dryness.
What am I learning about hay fever?
Whatever is going on with the grass, plants, pollution, air in 2026, its sending hay fever on overdrive which means my symptoms are going on longer and more persistent. Putting to one side the usual symptoms, my energy levels are zero. That’s something I need to find a way of raising! But my biggest take home lesson is not to put up with this just because I have it. Getting medical advice if I’m struggling should be done, which I have and expect the unexpected as each year might not be the same as the last.
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