Hayfever

Former Member

What do you take for your bog-standard everyday hayfever? I've got Tesco's allergy/hayfever pills but you're only supposed to take one a day, and I find I suffer most when I first wake up and then in the late evening just before bed.

I did take 2 pills yesterday, but that was before I realized it's only meant to be one dose a day.

What can I take more than once?

Former Member

The standard Piriton (which is something like Chlorpheramine) is 3/day although it makes some people very drowsey.

It's worth experimenting a bit with different ones as some work far better for some people than others. You need to check the active ingredient rather than the brand though as I'm pretty sure places like Tesco do more than one on their own brand.

Another thing to look into would be nose spray/eye drops.

Former Member

You could try a natural anti histamane like a nasal spray that is similar to Olbus Oil. Or eat honeycomb that has both antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties.

I've found natural remedies just as efficient but on really high pollen count days have stayed home with a wetted tea towel placed over my face.

Poppi

Former Member

AccessDenied - does that mean I can eat Crunchies?

Thanks ScaryMonster, the active ingrediant in Tesco's version is Loretadine, I must try some more options!

Former Member

Supposedly needs to be honeycombe or honey produced locally for it to work.

Loratadine suits some not others, I have the same problem of it not doing anything like 24 hours for me and have ended up on a prescription one. Would be worth trying your GP if you don't get anything reasonably effective soon. Cost works out about the same because you usually get 30 days from GP.

Former Member

I don't know what Crunchies are. <blush> Forgive my pig ignorance but are they a cereal?

Former Member

Crunchies are a Cadburys chocolate bar. Sugar honeycombe inside coated with chocolate.

Former Member

Scary Monster wrote: »

The standard Piriton (which is something like Chlorpheramine) is 3/day although it makes some people very drowsey.

It's worth experimenting a bit with different ones as some work far better for some people than others. You need to check the active ingredient rather than the brand though as I'm pretty sure places like Tesco do more than one on their own brand.

Another thing to look into would be nose spray/eye drops.

I know some people have this reaction but I've yet to meet anyone who does.

As for Piriton, Boots now do their own version which seems to be on a constant 2-for-1, which makes it less than half the price of the normal Piriton and its exactly the same dose.

I've heard daily doses of wheatgerm can help too, but it does taste quite revolting.

Former Member

Thanks guys.

I've got some Zirtek which has the same active ingrediant as Piriton.

Former Member

Sounds YUM! I'll look out for them tomorrow. :P

Former Member

Shouldn't be hard to find, in practically every newsagent! Gold wrapper with crunchie in funky letters in red.

Former Member

Im pretty sure that Zirtek is cetirizine, not chlorphenamine which is Piriton.

Cetirizine and loratadine are once-daily dosing.
Chlorphenamine and acrivastine (Benedryl) are 3-4times a day but there is a chance that they will mae you drowsy.

You could alter the time of day that you take loratidine. Try teatime??

Former Member

My hayfever has got progressively worse over the last 5 years. Loratadine never worked for me, but I tried the 3 a day acrivastine ones which were ok for a bit and then I moved on to cetirizine which was good for a couple of years. Eventually it felt like the effects were only lasting for 12 hours and i've had to get a prescription from the Doctor now, so if the rest don't work it is probably a good idea to go to your doc.

Former Member

I recently started taking Zyrtec also. Since it became OTC it is on sale all the time so I thought I'd try it. I work in a really dusty dirty place and my allergies work overtime. It works a wonder. It says it may cause drowsiness though and since everything seems to lately I take it right before bed for the next day.

Former Member

I keep buying once daily pills. Once a day isn't enough. Buggerty.