Cycling with hayfever

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Any tips?

daymobrew

What problems are you currently experiencing?
A Respro mask might help you.

Harrybelafonte

Those masks are damn difficult to breathe through though

Raam

Isn't there some shot you can get to help with hayfever?

joemc99

Get the shot, its fanfekintastic.....april/may time. I dont seem to suffer the symptoms when I cycle, weird.

rubadub

Last year was bad, I just take my tablets, and avoid cycling in bad areas with trees etc.

blorg

The shot is good but some doctors are reluctant to give it routinely. This year I think I will explain how my life is in danger on a bike without it. The sneezing is particularly dangerous.

Last year wasn't too bad heh with our "summer."

shapez

I normally take a Piriton or Claritin. Works a treat.

blorg

Unfortunately some people have hayfever that goes _well beyond_ Claritin ;-)

RiddleCon

Bit of an interest here as I'm a GP and a cyclist

"the Shot" is actually steroids so although it works will increase your risk of osteoporosis and lots of other side effects. It is also on the WADA banned list so will lead to a failed drug test if you're racing.

Masks aren't practicle as once they get damp (after 10-15 mins they stop filtering out pollen.

Antihistamines taken daily are the easiest option (piriton.clarityn, zirtek, xyzal and lots more)

There is a new treatment for grass pollen which is prescription only, it came out last year and seems quite good.

There are bloods tests which can confirm if it is grass pollen you are allergic to.

Also there are desensitisation treatments you can get but these are very expensive and need referrral to an immunologist (allergy specialist)

I've hayfever which is bad enough and if I take antihistamines every day (ie before the hayfever starts ) then I'm ok but as Blorg said
"Unfortunately some people have hayfever that goes _well beyond_ Claritin ;-)"
Personally i do give the "shot" but only as a last resort, I also know most of my colleagues don't

IRISHSPORTSGUY

RiddleCon wrote: »

Bit of an interest here as I'm a GP and a cyclist

"the Shot" is actually steroids so although it works will increase your risk of osteoporosis and lots of other side effects. It is also on the WADA banned list so will lead to a failed drug test if you're racing.

Masks aren't practicle as once they get damp (after 10-15 mins they stop filtering out pollen.

Antihistamines taken daily are the easiest option (piriton.clarityn, zirtek, xyzal and lots more)

There is a new treatment for grass pollen which is prescription only, it came out last year and seems quite good.

There are bloods tests which can confirm if it is grass pollen you are allergic to.

Also there are desensitisation treatments you can get but these are very expensive and need referrral to an immunologist (allergy specialist)

I've hayfever which is bad enough and if I take antihistamines every day (ie before the hayfever starts ) then I'm ok but as Blorg said
"Unfortunately some people have hayfever that goes _well beyond_ Claritin ;-)"
Personally i do give the "shot" but only as a last resort, I also know most of my colleagues don't

Cheers doc. I heard dabbing the lower nostrils with vasline blocks out pollen. Is there any medical evidence that supports this?

IRISHSPORTSGUY

daymobrew wrote: »

What problems are you currently experiencing?
A Respro mask might help you.

A runny nose which causes my nose to swell up.

RiddleCon

Cheers doc. I heard dabbing the lower nostrils with vasline blocks out pollen. Is there any medical evidence that supports this?

No 'fraid not :-(

There are nasal sprays available in pharmacies which might be the answer though , especially if a runny nose is your main problem

kennyb3

Dragging up an old thread, as after cycling into work today again had a another big hayfever attck - you know the type - 20plus sneezes red eyes, plenty of scratching and runny nose. still suffering an hour later and no doubt will be for the day.

I ve had this since i was about 8years old and like blorg mine generally goes way beyond tablets - for example i took a tablet before my cycle sat morning with club and afterward too and still spent the whole day after sneezing runny nose etc. anyway just wondering does anyone know if the injection is still available? i ve used sprays and everything else known to man. i generally need an inhaler during the summer too as it affects my breathing and my throat felt all closed up this morning.

im getting so sick of it i might resort to it. if it gave me a hayfever free summer id take the risk of osteoporosis and whatever else.

Piercemeear

Have you considered a hookworm?

BLACKEN

yeh i also have it quite bad! which leads me to not even set foot near the bike! ive only had hayfever for the past four years and it only lasts for the month of june! i cant make it out! but i do find zirtek plus to be the best! as it also unblocks the nose as well which is often half the battle, and wearing sunglasses cuts down on the watering eyes too!:)

Murph100

+1 on the Zirtek and shades, works a treat for me.

As for pollen going up your nose ... up the pace and you'll be breathing through your mouth only

kennyb3

Trust me no amount of zirtek, shades, vaseline, nasal sprays and so on is enough. i only have to look at the sun and i sneeze.:D

pauric1

i've had hayfever most of mylife and have tried all the antihistamine tablets to no avail. i started using otrivine nasal spray last year and found it bloody brilliant. completely clears me up, especially the blocked sinuses which leave you feeling so miserable.

P

Repolho

kennyb3 wrote: »

Dragging up an old thread, as after cycling into work today again had a another big hayfever attck - you know the type - 20plus sneezes red eyes, plenty of scratching and runny nose. still suffering an hour later and no doubt will be for the day.

I ve had this since i was about 8years old and like blorg mine generally goes way beyond tablets - for example i took a tablet before my cycle sat morning with club and afterward too and still spent the whole day after sneezing runny nose etc. anyway just wondering does anyone know if the injection is still available? i ve used sprays and everything else known to man. i generally need an inhaler during the summer too as it affects my breathing and my throat felt all closed up this morning.

im getting so sick of it i might resort to it. if it gave me a hayfever free summer id take the risk of osteoporosis and whatever else.

First off let me say that I am not a doctor but have suffered from hayfever since I was about 6 years old (so 25 years now).

The first thing you really need to do is to identify what type of pollen you are allergic too. For most people it is grass pollen which peaks around the emd of may / early june. Knowing what exactly you are allergic to is the best way to managing your hayfever.
Taking an antihistamine (zirtek, piratin etc) after the onset of an attack will not really do much good. You've got to start taking them about 2 weeks before the "season" and right throughout the season for them to work effectively. I find that once I've gotten an attack like that taking something with a decongestant in it works better (like sinutab or similar) to alleviate the symptoms.

Some practical things that I find to help (prevention better than cure sort of thing):

• Washing your hair (to get rid of any pollen in it) before going to bed at night. Also, wash out your eyes and nose (some people use saline in the nose but I find just kinda rinsing with water).
• Put your pillow in a plastic bag or something when your not using it, to avoid getting pollen on it.
• Sunglasses / shades to help with the watery eyes.

This year I bought a medisana medinose. ITs basically a red light that you put up your nose 3 times a day and is supposed to reduce your sensitivity to pollen. So far it seems to be working for me anyhow.

Hope this helps.

loyatemu

kennyb3 wrote: »

i only have to look at the sun and i sneeze.:D

thats a different effect - it the optic nerve irritating the lining of your nose (not saying you don't have hayfever as well, but the sun->sneeze thing happens to many people)

damo80

i've had the curse of hayfever me entire life.
i started to get the injection (kenalog) about 5 years ago but last year doc said he wouldnt give it to me anymore cause the long-term (side)effects werent proven yet.
got those new Zirtek tablets last week, with the decongestant in them. cost bloody €11 for 10 and youve to take 2 a day!!! so far though they seem pretty good.
i tend not to get attacks while out on the bike though. and i also find ice cream helps with the sneezing!!! dont ask me how or why.

Repolho

damo80 wrote: »

got those new Zirtek tablets last week, with the decongestant in them. cost bloody €11 for 10 and youve to take 2 a day!!! so far though they seem pretty good.

Are they available in prescription packs of 30? I was buying the standard zirtek in of 7 for years. Last year I was in Westport for a weekend and got an attack out of nowhere (it was an unusual time of year for me to get it so wasn't prepared]. When I went in the the pharmacy they had no packs of 7 but the pharmacist (only the pharmacist) was able to give me a 30 pack. Up to then I never knew they existed, my own local pharmacy was letting me buy packs of 7 week after week! Plus, the pack of 30 was about €11 versus €7 for the pack of 7. Robbing gits.

damo80 wrote: »

i also find ice cream helps with the sneezing!!! dont ask me how or why.

this I've got to try. I'm all in favour of alternative medicines:D

olmo

I suffer from asthma and hayfever.I used to get the Kenelog injection but decided not to get it this year(took it for over 5 years).It's not a miracle cure if anyone is thinking it is.I cant take Xirtek or Claritin as they knock me for 6!Last year on hols in Poland I took a nasal spray called Avamys and it's the best thing ever.I also have to stay away from beer as that brings on an attack in the morning!Thanks God no wheat in Bulmers Apple Cider(other flavours are too girlie)!

Mr Velo

Nightmarish! I've been suffering from hayfever for the past 10 years or so. I have noticed however that it's at it's worst in June, usually early June.
Pretty bad yesterday and today now - even having taken Zirtek the past week or more.

Have been looking forward to the Tour De Burren on Saturday next, but if i'm bunged up and feeling like this it'll make it feel like hell on earth

Mr Velo

olmo wrote: »

Last year on hols in Poland I took a nasal spray called Avamys and it's the best thing ever.

My Doc prescribed Avamys nasal spray for me 2 years ago and i have to say it is just fantastic for the clearing of blocked nose associated with hayfever.
Most of the other sprays, otrivine etc, all make it ten times worse if you continue using them for length of time - but the Avamys did the biz. I do think there may be a form of steroid in it however, so if any of you are racing it may be on the banned list.

kennyb3

Mr Velo wrote: »

blocked nose associated with hayfever.

Blocked noses? mine never stops streaming.

olmo

I didn't know Avamys was in Ireland!I'll get it here then if that's the case!I use Avamys every morning two sprays in each nostril whether I need it or not.I must say i'm delighted to hear other people are as bad as me

Mr Velo

kennyb3 wrote: »

Blocked noses? mine never stops streaming.

Yeah, i have the constant streaming too, but horribly blocked up high in the nasal passage. Lining of the nose gets inflammed, causing the stuffiness - Avamys calms it down and makes you feel human again.

shamwari

I too am blighted with Hayfever since childhood, although thankfully I seem to have grown out of it somewhat as I got older. That 5 week period from end of May to start of July is when I am at my worst. Even outside this period, I experience a fair degree of Nasal drip whilst out on the bike.

I use a nasal spray on prescription called Nasonex and find that ok. I also use an over-the-counter eye drop to stop these from stinging. I find that using the eyedrops regularly also helps keep the nose in check, presumably because when the eyes become itchy and watery, the excess water (tears) finds its way into the tear ducts and down into the nasal cavity. This in turn causes the nose to kick off. In addition to the use of eye drops, the use of sunglasses are an absolute must.

I did try one of those respirator masks and I dont like them TBH. I found after a short while that it was causing the air I was breathing in to become quite warm and therefore unpleasent. Vaseline is also worth a punt if you can tolerate the sensation of it in and around your nostrils !

unionman

Repolho wrote: »

Are they available in prescription packs of 30? I was buying the standard zirtek in of 7 for years. Last year I was in Westport for a weekend and got an attack out of nowhere (it was an unusual time of year for me to get it so wasn't prepared]. When I went in the the pharmacy they had no packs of 7 but the pharmacist (only the pharmacist) was able to give me a 30 pack. Up to then I never knew they existed, my own local pharmacy was letting me buy packs of 7 week after week! Plus, the pack of 30 was about €11 versus €7 for the pack of 7. Robbing gits.

The packs of 30 afaik are only available with prescription. However, the generic forms of Zirtek are now widely available under a range of different names, I think one of them is advertised on TV now. Most pharmacists will have one or two brands in stock, all containing Cetirizine, which is what Zirtek is. The generics are cheaper (€3.50 / €4 for 7 tablets).

My hay fever has eased considerably since I started cycling, and I can get through most of the summer now without any recourse to medication. I put it down to slightly stonger lungs, bit more resitant to the pollens, although hay fever varies greatly from person to person, and so there is no point in saying my experience is typical.

Things that helped before I started cycling:
I gave up milk completely for several years. This seemed to cut down the amount of mucus my body was producing, which in turn eased symptoms and allowed the medication to work (it never had before). I still had moderate amounts of other dairy but milk was cut to zero for about 5 years.

Taking medication (Zirtek) at night seemed to work better than taking it in the morning.

Water - lots of. Staying properly hydrated made the difference between a good day and a bad day, symptom-wise (still does).

Giving up smoking - apart from all the other good reasons to quit ciggies (13 years ago), it reduced my symptoms. At the height of my hay fever symptoms, cigarettes used to trigger serious nose bleeds. Not pretty.

Alcohol - certain drinks seemed to trigger reactions, Dublin's own black stuff was culprit number 1. Lagers less problematic. Spirits and wine had no effect, but reducing alcohol intake helps too, as you have better energy levels as a result.

All of these factors seemed to help. There was further marked improvement when I started long distance cycling, particularly in the hills. It could all be in my mind, but the results speak for themselves.

I hope this is of some help to somebody.

cdaly_

Have any of you tried a sinus rinse? Supposed to help...

DeviantD

Hi Guys,

I have the answer for hay fever. I have suffered with this since i was 15 and I used to suffer with this real badly ( 15 sneezes at a time with watery eyes)and i used to get the injection as mentioned earlier. This worked for a few years until my new doctor told me about the injection. It’s like taken steroids every day for the summer and has bad side effects.

Stopped getting the injection and the symptoms came back worse than ever

The best remedy is to take Natural honey from your local area, not the one you can buy in the supermarket from New Zealand or the likes.
Take this every day for about 3 weeks and hey presto your cured for the summer. I swear this works.

My hay fever started up again last Saturday and I collected 3 lbs of honey from a bee keeper last night and started taken it in yogurt and porridge this morning.

Let me know if your trying this to see how you get on.

dave2pvd

There is no one hayfever. In fact, hayfever is a very poor term, IMO. I'm going to start a FB page to ban it

You are referring to pollen allergies. As the doc said earlier, get blood tests done and identify what you are allergic to, then work out what the best prevention is.

So saying so-and-so medicine is no good or another medicine is the best thing since laudanum is pointless advice for someone else's problem.

Another piece of (free) advice: if you suffer from allergies, do not ever visit the southeastern US in Springtime. You will literally drop dead. 120+ parts per million is considered extremely high. We get 3000+ for days on end. I had never suffered from allergies before.....

monkeyslayer

DeviantD wrote: »

Hi Guys,

The best remedy is to take Natural honey from your local area, not the one you can buy in the supermarket from New Zealand or the likes.
Take this every day for about 3 weeks and hey presto your cured for the summer. I swear this works.

Interesting advice... How does this work exactly and how much would you recommend eating? Know any shops in Dublin city center that might have it?

Piste

Aha, so THAT's why I've been sneezing constantly since I started cycling to my new summer job, there's about a 20 minute cycle through a very tree-lined street and by the time I get to work I keep sneezing all over the place!

DeviantD

monkeyslayer wrote: »

Interesting advice... How does this work exactly and how much would you recommend eating? Know any shops in Dublin city center that might have it?

Hi Monkeyslayer,

Take about 2-3 dessert spoon fulls is a yogurt or porridge every morning and you sorted.

Check out this website for numbers in your local area
http://www.irishbeekeeping.ie/