Hay fever/allergy tips

reindeer · Post by **reindeer** » Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:47 am

Hi,

I've been suffering from allergy/hay fever for the first time ever since I came to Finland 4 years ago. It all started this April and lasted until June when I thought it was finally over but it turned out that I was wrong as the hay fever season was just about to follow. So now I'm having hay fever, which makes my nose blocked and me unable to sleep at night. I've been to the doctor a couple of times and they all diagnosed that I have hay fever and gave me subscription of some anti-histamine tablets as well as nasal spray. I tried them all including: Histec, Kestox, Telfast (tablets), Humidose, Nasolin, Nasacort (spray) and salt water for washing my nose but they all didn't help much. Although I know that Nasolin is bad and I shouldn't use it for more than 1 week but if I don't keep using it, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night and come to work tomorrow morning. This is terrible time for me and I'm now already looking forward to the winter. Does anyone know any tips/medicines or whatsoever that I can do to escape myself from this situation? Thanks in advance!

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Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 6:09 am

Have they taken blood tests for some kind infection?

Is it also possible it's not hay fever and you in fact have an allergy?

I have chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis. Has your doctor thought of those?

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:33 pm

I agree with tummansininen, it is really important to start the antihistamines BEFORE the trouble starts and to continue them regularly, same time every day, even if the symptoms stop, as long as the season continues.

You could also try getting a mobile air purifying system system for your bedroom. There is some discussion about whether the ionising purifiers really work but I would say any filter is better than no filter. Try to keep your bedroom doors and windows closed. I slept OK last night but as soon as I went outside my eyes/nose were streaming and it was even worse in the car.

And yes, you probably should get an IgE or RAST test done to see if this is an allergic reaction and not something else.

Jukka Aho · Post by **Jukka Aho** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:53 pm

Rosamunda wrote:I agree with tummansininen, it is really important to start the antihistamines BEFORE the trouble starts and to continue them regularly, same time every day, even if the symptoms stop, as long as the season continues.

This. Treating allergy with antihistamines should be preemptive. The dosage should be regular. If already suffering from the symptoms, you might not necessarily see too much effect until after a couple of days.

I’ve been popping cetirizine (“Cetirizin-ratiopharm 10 mg”) this summer. Worked for me.

sotka_ · Post by **sotka_** » Thu Jul 24, 2014 10:04 am

tummansininen wrote:I think that's Histec, also called Zyrtec. The pharmacies sell a cheap generic one

Histec, Zyrtec, Heinix, Alzyr, Gardex and Cetirizin-xxxxx all have the same antihistamine: cetirizine (10 mg / pill), and are essentially the same.

Kestine and Kestox use ebastine. Kestine has 10 mg, Kestox either 10 mg or 20 mg.

If 10 mg of cetirizine/ebastine won't help, you can always try 20 mg of ebastine and see if it helps (combined with nasal spray if needed).

Ps. as far as I know, Nasolin and friends are not meant for allergies, and long time use of those will make your problem worse. Try something like Avamys or Mommox combined with cetirizine/ebastine instead.

reindeer · Post by **reindeer** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 3:37 pm

Flossy1978 wrote:Have they taken blood tests for some kind infection?

Is it also possible it's not hay fever and you in fact have an allergy?

I have chronic sinusitis and chronic rhinitis. Has your doctor thought of those?

They always take blood test each time I visit the clinics. I have never had pollen allergy before since I came to Finland. I also suspect myself of having sinusitis but the doctor said no.

reindeer · Post by **reindeer** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 3:47 pm

sotka_ wrote:
tummansininen wrote:I think that's Histec, also called Zyrtec. The pharmacies sell a cheap generic one
Histec, Zyrtec, Heinix, Alzyr, Gardex and Cetirizin-xxxxx all have the same antihistamine: cetirizine (10 mg / pill), and are essentially the same.

Kestine and Kestox use ebastine. Kestine has 10 mg, Kestox either 10 mg or 20 mg.

If 10 mg of cetirizine/ebastine won't help, you can always try 20 mg of ebastine and see if it helps (combined with nasal spray if needed).

Ps. as far as I know, Nasolin and friends are not meant for allergies, and long time use of those will make your problem worse. Try something like Avamys or Mommox combined with cetirizine/ebastine instead.

Which one do you think is better Kestox or Histec, Telfast? I was advised to use different ones by different doctors/pharmacists.

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