The NHS website is full of useful guidance for a huge range of medical conditions. And, right now, in the middle of summer, hayfever is a problem for a lot of people. Here we hear about the way one person copes. At the foot of the article is a link to lots more practical info on the condition and the treatments available.
Lisa’s Story
Lisa Miles, from Kent, tried a number of different treatments for hay fever before she found the right one for her.
“When I first got hay fever, I already had asthma and I just thought my symptoms were connected to this. My head and nose felt very congested. My eyes would feel very sore, red and itchy, especially when I was near flowers. It was during a routine check with my GP that hay fever was diagnosed.
“My symptoms tend to flare up from February until September. Hay fever can make my asthma worse and I used to have problems sleeping too. It’s like trying to go to sleep with a bad cold. Luckily, the medication I take has helped me get to sleep.
“I take antihistamines prescribed by my doctor regularly throughout the hay fever season. These are non-drowsy, so they don’t affect my day-to-day life. I also use eye drops. I find that this treatment helps a lot. It doesn’t get rid of my symptoms completely, but it makes them manageable.
“I’ve also had to make a few lifestyle changes. I now avoid cutting the grass. If I really have to, I do it late in the evening, when pollen counts are lower. I always keep my windows shut too. I try not to sit outside when pollen counts are high in the morning and late-afternoon. Taking medication before the hay fever season starts has really helped as well.
“My advice to anyone with hay fever is to try a different antihistamine if the one prescribed isn’t effective. I tried several antihistamines before I found one that really helped my symptoms. Don’t feel shy about going back to your doctor and asking for a different one if your symptoms aren’t relieved.”
Link: NHS advice on hayfever
