whatever the pollen

[water]

my girl is having a pretty awful allergy season right now. 

coughing, totally stuffed up, headache, sinus pressure, the works.

 

I would LOVE to hear your solutions.

whether pharmaceutical, homeopathical, psychological, medicinal. 

anything and everything.

Thank you in advance. :-}

 

(Just so you know, she mostly refuses my suggestions.)

[Stickler]

Zyrtec is awesome, right after that, Allegra.

Since it's nighttime, a couple of Benadryl on top of the above; keep on the Zyrtec until the plants stop having sex.

Hot white tea might ease inflammation.

A hot shower with eucalyptus oil might help matters too.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Stickler

[crtclms]

Woo told me to wash my face whenever I came in from being outside, paying attention to eyebrows (where pollen settles). It really helps an amazing amount. Fortunately, I don't wear makeup, so I can do it every time.

 

The pollen is so bad today, that DH opened the front door, and I immediately started sneezing. We have two small air cleaners with HEPA filters, one in the living room, one in the bedroom. The bedroom is smaller, so I only rarely have trouble sleeping. I think I use generic zyrtec, but sparingly.

[water]

Zyrtec is awesome, right after that, Allegra.

Since it's nighttime, a couple of Benadryl on top of the above; keep on the Zyrtec until the plants stop having sex.

Hot white tea might ease inflammation.

A hot shower with eucalyptus oil might help matters too.

lol. great minds think alike.

 

I gave her benadryl to sleep and had her take a shower before bed.

The eucalyptus is a great idea!  I did give her tiger balm once for a migraine and she like it.

 

The zyrtec we tried this afternoon. It did nothing.

I'll try Allegra.

 

I've been suggesting tea all day. She refused. Maybe tomorrow after school I'll just make it anyway. We have this mix that includes white tea.

 

really can't wait until those plants stop messing around.

[water]

Woo told me to wash my face whenever I came in from being outside, paying attention to eyebrows (where pollen settles). It really helps an amazing amount. Fortunately, I don't wear makeup, so I can do it every time.

 

The pollen is so bad today, that DH opened the front door, and I immediately started sneezing. We have two small air cleaners with HEPA filters, one in the living room, one in the bedroom. The bedroom is smaller, so I only rarely have trouble sleeping. I think I use generic zyrtec, but sparingly.

Thank you!

this is something she will do, I am sure. I hope, I pray.

 

Two small air cleaners sound lovely. Maybe I can get them at Home Depot?

She keeps her door shut at night now so it should work.

 

She has an aquarium in her room. I thought this was good because of the moisture.

[Stickler]

Ok, if Zyrtec does not work she probably has the Claritin gene. I'm given to understand if one does not work the other is very likely to, and a majority of people favor Zyrtec.

If one fails, likely the other won't.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Stickler

[Stickler]

Oh, and hepa filters are nice, but pricey.

Make sure it's sized for the room or larger.

[water]

Ok, if Zyrtec does not work she probably has the Claritin gene. I'm given to understand if one does not work the other is very likely to, and a majority of people favor Zyrtec.

If one fails, likely the other won't.

We have tried claritin. I know there is some under the sink. I'll try that in the morning. I don't have to buy the allegra.

that's nice. 

thank you so much stickler. 

[Stickler]

Well,only if the Claritin works...

[water]

Well,only if the Claritin works...

It was such a long time ago that we tried it I don't remember if it worked or not. 

[Phoenix_Rising]

I love Fluonase nasal spray.  It zaps my allergies in the ass

[water]

I love Fluonase nasal spray.  It zaps my allergies in the ass

 

thank you phoenix.

[Gearhead]

 

 We have two small air cleaners with HEPA filters, one in the living room, one in the bedroom. The bedroom is smaller, so I only rarely have trouble sleeping.

Two small air cleaners sound lovely. Maybe I can get them at Home Depot?

 

Target. I use the Holmes Hepa Type Air Purifier in our bedroom and it makes a difference. Another thing that helps, and this is hard to pull off if you don't have central air or small a/c units in the windows, is not opening the bedroom windows. Ever.

 

I also put the mattress in an allergen blocking cover, and put similar covers on all of our pillows.

 

If you have furry pets, wash them or wipe them down with damp cloths frequently. Pollens are sticking to their fur.

[water]

 

 

 We have two small air cleaners with HEPA filters, one in the living room, one in the bedroom. The bedroom is smaller, so I only rarely have trouble sleeping.

Two small air cleaners sound lovely. Maybe I can get them at Home Depot?

 

Target. I use the Holmes Hepa Type Air Purifier in our bedroom and it makes a difference. Another thing that helps, and this is hard to pull off if you don't have central air or small a/c units in the windows, is not opening the bedroom windows. Ever.

 

I also put the mattress in an allergen blocking cover, and put similar covers on all of our pillows.

 

If you have furry pets, wash them or wipe them down with damp cloths frequently. Pollens are sticking to their fur.

 

Thank you Gearhead!

 

I do have a furry pet, BUT she has lived with said pet for 7 years.  AND when she her pollen allergies flare up the kitty allergies get worse.  just like when I eat something icky my stomach may not tolerate a food that normally I could eat.  However said furry creatred is an indoor cat BUT she is now outside on her dog leash. She is really a catdog.

 

I gave her Claritan for school.

 

edit: my girl not the catdog.

Edited May 8, 2014 by water

[olga]

My sister (who suffers during pollen season) suggests drying all bed linens and towels in the dryer, and not out on the line.  I don't think you use a clothes line, but I thought I would pass that along just in case.

 

If there are any beekeepers in your county, try to buy a jar of honey that was produced in your county or as nearby as possible.  If you daughter likes honey, have her eat a teaspoon of that local honey every day.  This helps me a bit---if I don't do it, my nose runs like a faucet in the spring.

 

I hope she finds some relief.

 

olga

[water]

My sister (who suffers during pollen season) suggests drying all bed linens and towels in the dryer, and not out on the line.  I don't think you use a clothes line, but I thought I would pass that along just in case.

 

If there are any beekeepers in your county, try to buy a jar of honey that was produced in your county or as nearby as possible.  If you daughter likes honey, have her eat a teaspoon of that local honey every day.  This helps me a bit---if I don't do it, my nose runs like a faucet in the spring.

 

I hope she finds some relief.

 

olga

 

Just got a call from the school nurse.  sigh.....

my cell is dead. Didn't get the call when she was in the nurses office so she is back in class. I am SURE the high school building is FULL of bad stuff.

 

Thank you SO much Auntie Olga.

(I am giving her local honey.)

Edited May 8, 2014 by water

[crtclms]

I started taking honey last summer, it was the first time I within the right distance of an apiary. Then the ants came. But I am going to try it again this summer.

[water]

I started taking honey last summer, it was the first time I within the right distance of an apiary. Then the ants came. But I am going to try it again this summer.

the ants came to your house?

[water]

she won;t use her inhaler.

she won;t drink tea.

she won;t take the honey.

but she will complain and yell.

 

she is constantly coughing.

 

And i totally forgot - there is RETREAT this weekend with her youth group.

Inn The Woods With Allergies. 

[olga]

Ah, the logical behavior of the adolescent.  Well, my old granny used to say "You've made your bed so now you have to lie in it."  If she won't do anything to help herself, there is little else you can do, water.

 

olga

[Stickler]

she won;t use her inhaler.

she won;t drink tea.

she won;t take the honey.

but she will complain and yell.

 

she is constantly coughing.

 

And i totally forgot - there is RETREAT this weekend with her youth group.

Inn The Woods With Allergies. 

   

 

Oy...Sympathies. 

I can't get away with behavior like that, my lungs will lock right up. 

 

Well, she will learn the hard way, if at all.  Bronchitis through lung irritation...I hope not...

Edited May 9, 2014 by Stickler

[brainweather]

seasonal allergies are terrible. they used to be so bad that i didn't want to leave the house. 

 

most of what people have mentioned, i agree with. i use a daily antihistamine (allegra or claritin - all year round), a nasal spray (all year round), i have hypoallergenic sheets, pillowcases, curtains. no carpets whatsoever are allowed in my house, air purifiers help, fans can worsen the situation a lot for me. sometimes its best to keep the windows closed but that sucks in the summer. no clothes outside on a line bc they'll be infested with little allergen-germies. take off clothes when coming in from outside and wash them. wash your face a lot. use eye drops for eye itch. stay away from grassy/plant-y areas during days when there are high allergen alerts. bring an inhaler everywhere if you're asthmatic. pets are usually carriers so routinely wiping them down or giving them baths when they've been outdoors is a good idea.

 

you can sort of control some of these, but if she won't take precautions and take meds for it then she's going to be in a lot of misery (and you by extension, unfortunately). you can go to an allergist and get allergy shots that last for a little bit. that way you know she's getting her antihistamines and its easier to keep up. 

 

i tried every single folk remedy/alternative/holistic medicine solutions and none of them worked well enough to leave an impression (i've been pretty desperate in the past... it can be unbearable and i'm allergic to pretty much all plants and grasses, etc). good luck!!

Edited May 10, 2014 by brainweather

[water]

Thank you Brain.

 

she did take the zyrtec I bought yesterday. turns out I had the childrens' dose. I think these worked better. they sure cost a fortune.

 

I bought her coughdrops but was criticized because they were Lemon and HOney with Echinacea.  Ms. Princess and the Pea wanted the Lemon and Honey plain. 

 

 

Bought the Huge jar of local honey and some honey sticks. She took the honey sticks to the retreat.

 

She has been sleeping because i give her a benedryl at night but she cannot take that and the zyrtec.  She likes the benedryl at night.

 

I have a migraine. 

[brainweather]

yeah, brand name antihistamines from the pharmacy are insanely expensive. if you have good drug insurance then getting them prescribed by a doctor will lower the cost (esp. if you get generic). or if you have a costco membership, they sell generic name antihistamines in bulk (like 400 pills), and its overall a lot cheaper.

 

can she contact you from the camp? if not, then at least you won't be the complaint department for a week.   let her drive her counselors nuts.

[water]

yeah, brand name antihistamines from the pharmacy are insanely expensive. if you have good drug insurance then getting them prescribed by a doctor will lower the cost (esp. if you get generic). or if you have a costco membership, they sell generic name antihistamines in bulk (like 400 pills), and its overall a lot cheaper.

 

can she contact you from the camp? if not, then at least you won't be the complaint department for a week.   let her drive her counselors nuts.

Just texted her "how are you?"

 

reply, "good".  

I think that is better than 'ok' which is the usual response.  It is a weekend retreat so she is back tomorrow. 

 

Never thought my dr.could prescribe zyrtec but I will ask.

I am admittedly prejudice against generic meds. even buy advil instead of just ibuprofen.

[brainweather]

it might even still be cheaper for the brand name. i get a dr. to prescribe brand name allergy meds and it's loads cheaper! 

[water]

it might even still be cheaper for the brand name. i get a dr. to prescribe brand name allergy meds and it's loads cheaper! 

Great idea!  thank you.  

[Stickler]

I have taken Zyrtec when it was script-only, I have taken zyrtec brand name, I have taken it generic.  I have noticed no difference. But if you believe brand name will work better, then for you that will absolutely be true.  

 

Hope your migrane passes soon.

[water]

I have taken Zyrtec when it was script-only, I have taken zyrtec brand name, I have taken it generic.  I have noticed no difference. But if you believe brand name will work better, then for you that will absolutely be true.  

 

Hope your migrane passes soon.

 

On Friday I gave her 10 local honey sticks, various flavors, and adult zyrtec which cost two arms and two legs.

 

On Sunday she came home with NO cough for the first time in days and days and days.

 

I have only been able to communicate with her during very brief moments where I have to be on task.

 

I have NO idea if it was:

1. adult zyrtec (yes!)

2. honey sticks (couldn't hoit)

3. being away from home and the cat and our mess (no!!)

[Stickler]

Zyrtec is pretty good stuff.

If y'all have semi-decent insurance a mast- cell stabilizer would probably be nice too. Accolate or singulair.

[water]

Zyrtec is pretty good stuff.

If y'all have semi-decent insurance a mast- cell stabilizer would probably be nice too. Accolate or singulair.

 

She has an inhaler which of course she never uses.

 

I think one year we did get a script for singular once when she was much younger.

 

The zyrtec must have lobbed it out of the park.

The claritin, btw: was also kids dosage.