Hayfever: Alternative to Respro mask?

Cyclum

Hayfever is ruining my cycling. I feel the symptoms all day at work but as soon as I'm outside they go into overdrive. I went for a quick blast last night (10 miles - 30 min) and by the time I got home I couldn't stop sneezing, (my throat is sore today from the sneezing), my nose was raw and runny, my eyes felt like they had sand in them and my skin was all prickly. I had to just sit there with a wet towel over my face.

Ì take medication - I've tried every medication under the sun and while they help a little while I'm indoors they don't really make a difference when I'm outside - not great for someone who enjoys cycling/walking etc. :-)

So. I've been looking at masks. The Respro seems like the only one on the market. They look pretty good on a strapping male but I'm small female with a particularly small head. They look like they'll drown me. Are there any other alternatives? Help with the hayfever also greatly received.

Thanks.

lakesluddite

The only thing that has really worked for me over the years is the nasal sprays - Beconase in particular (although there are alternatives to this brand).

I had tried lots of different pills, but none worked as good as the spray - I think the thoery is it creates a steroid induced barrier in the nose that prevents the pollen having any effect (that might be complete tosh though).

rickeverett

LakesLuddite wrote:

The only thing that has really worked for me over the years is the nasal sprays - Beconase in particular (although there are alternatives to this brand).

I had tried lots of different pills, but none worked as good as the spray - I think the thoery is it creates a steroid induced barrier in the nose that prevents the pollen having any effect (that might be complete tosh though).

100% agree

I take Nasal Spray and Tablets and I almost feel normal. Nasal Spray has been a god send since they appeared.

Mattlufcbell

Beconase is the best thing I've ever used for my hay fever.

dave in swansea

For medication, the more the better.
Started the summer on pills (loratidine)
Couple of weeks ago started using a spray ( flixonase)
Now the eyes are bad, although all else is under control.

chris_bass

My hayfever seems to be ok when i'm actually riding (although I have discovered sneezing whilst cycling is probably the most dangerous thing i have done!) but once i get in it gets really bad.

brettjmcc

Cyclum wrote:

Ì take medication - I've tried every medication under the sun and while they help a little while I'm indoors they don't really make a difference when I'm outside - not great for someone who enjoys cycling/walking etc. :-)

So what have you actually taken? Over the counter only, or have you also got prescription as well? I've moved off the normal Cetirizine this year to a prescription base Fexafenadine and that has helped. Further, when it gets really bad I also use something called NeilMed to wash out my sinuses - remember pollen goes up and will stay there unless you blow or wash it out. The wash also goes along with a prescribed corticosteroid nasal spray, Nasonex, that I take every day (but this is also long standing from sinus surgery 3.5 years ago)