Hello
My post is a hay fever, rather than a asthma related, question so I hope that's ok.
As we approach the summer, or for many known as the dreaded hay fever season, I was wondering if anyone could help give me a little advice on behalf of my daughter Abi who is one such sufferer. Abi is fourteen years old and is my youngest child. She has suffered from asthma since she was eight and although that is fairly well controlled I still often worry about her because of it. For example, I still won’t let her stay at a friend’s house unless I know for sure she has her inhalers with her. I hope that doesn’t sound overly motherly or protective of me!
However, of equal concern is her hay fever which he has become a victim of over the last three years so. Like most who have a severe case of the condition it can hugely affect her lifestyle and the things she can do during the summer months. For example, last year she was unable to compete in her school sports day because of it.
Abi’s hay fever means she tends to sneeze repeatedly throughout the day and this can last for a two or three months or more if it’s a particularly hot summer and the pollen count his high. She also has tended to suffer worse from it every year since she was first diagnosed. My biggest concern overall about her condition is how terribly itchy her nose becomes when her hay fever is at its worst. I’m not sure how common a symptom like this is for most hay fever sufferers but in her case it is particularly bad and makes her life a real misery.
Her nose often becomes so itchy that she resorts to rubbing it constantly at times usually upwards with the palm of her hand which means she now has a distinctive crease mark or line across the lower part of her nose. I’m not sure if she has noticed this herself but she does often complain, quite understandably, about how much her itchy nose is bothering her.
The antihistamines and nasal spray which he has been prescribed by her doctor help a little with her nasal congestion but don’t do much to alleviate the sneezing or itching unfortunately. Is anyone aware of any treatment or medication she could use that would help with the latter symptom in particular, besides having to stay inside on days when the pollen count is too high for her to be outside without suffering badly?
I’ve also been unsure as to whether to say something to her in attempt to discourage her from rubbing her nose as much as she does. At times the manner and frequency comes across as very childlike and no doubt obvious to other people. I just wouldn’t want someone else to notice it and make an insensitive remark which would very likely embarrass her. She is a very pretty girl and already has the attentions of numerous boys at her school but I worry that she will later be embarrassed by the crease mark on her nose. Obviously the last thing I want is for Abi to become self-conscious about it but I wonder if I did bring up the subject sensitively it might be for the best in the long run.
Ultimately I really just wish she didn’t have to suffer from hay fever like she does so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
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