How to treat seasonal allergies (hayfever)

My wife and I suffer from allergies. My PCP told me my allergic reactions are most likely pine allergy. I live in Florida where the most prominent trees are pine trees.

Problem is when (per my PCP) allergy tests are done at Mayo Jacksonville they do not test for pine allergy. I know kind of _____!

I see a ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist every 6 months. What I take per my ENT for allergies is an OTC allergy medicine. However per my ENT I am told to change the type every six months. I take a nasal spray for nasal polyps. It is a steroid to lessen irritation of nasal polyps and keep from growing.

I take a prescribed medication called Azelastine Spray to redue nasal irritation. What I do wiht the saline rinses is to do a OTC saline spray every time I shower to clean nostrils out. Then at least once a week to a nasal rinse.
Seems to help with mine but when the wind blows and a grimie green gook is all over my car I know the pine is in full bloom.

Have you done allergy testing. I have done both the pin sticks and blood tests.

I have significant issues with post nasal drip. Persistent micro aspiration is one theory for the bronchiectasis, trees-in-bud, etc. I also had an opaque frontal sinus. For those reasons, docs have been aggressive in treating mine. While taking steroids is not ideal, docs felt it more important to get control of the secretions.

The single best agent, IMO, is Ipratropium, a prescription med. I get it in Mayo triple spray that also includes Mometazone and diphenhydramine. I also have it as a separate spray because it’s shorter acting than other two. I just use extra spray as needed, usually on windy or high pollen days. Despite those and antihistamines, I was still having persistent hoarseness due to drainage and Penn ENT had me add Mometazone to my saline rinse bottle. I stopped that for a while over winter (continued saline rinses 1-2x/day), but am on it again now that it’s spring.

Edit to add: I agree with jc76 that allergy testing gives helpful info. I also used Azelastine before I went to Mayo and it was helpful. Their spray doesn’t have its awful taste and is just 1 spray, not 2 or 3. Their pharmacy mixes it, but they told me docs in other states can order it.
Good luck to you!

I will talk to my PCP about those options. Since I am 69, I am not supposed to use diphenhydramine, but I hope the other medications are OK. I purchased OTC prescription strength Azelastine and used it this morning and it seemed to help.

Thank you. I will try to get in with an allergist, but for now I tried the prescription strength OTC Azelastine spray and it seems to have helped.

I understand how severe it has been this year in particular. I could not breathe well at all for the last month. I could not bend to tie my shoes or even walk on grass without getting out of breath. My dr asked me if my 02 sat was normal and I said yes and my sputum did not look bad so he ignored me. A week later I insisted that I get PFTs and a culture. No growth but WOW! 25% decrease in lung function! I was in tears and he was almost in tears when he came into the exam room. I am now on a very high dose prednisone which is not something we wanted to do but there is no alternative at this time. I have already lost almost an inch in height and I am having regular back pain due to compression. I use azalastine nasal decongestant inhaler followed by fluticasone and then gargle. I use claritin or zyrtec or allegra twice a day. I wear a mask outside at all times. This is getting really ridiculous. Just heard about it on NPR where they said that, due to climate change, there are at least two months of additional super pollen and allergic components in this country and it will only get worse.

@sburton56
Good luck.
My ENT told me the Azelastine spray helps reduce inflammation and irritation.

What some have posted about Azelatine is it can taste bad if comes down the back of your nasal passages in throat. What I do is drink something after I spray it and seems to offeset this as I don't get that after taste.

My daily regimen is Mucinex to keep the mucus thin, Symbicort to control asthma and the fact that airways get hyperreactive, Azalastine (Rx and OTC are the same strength), Xyzal daily and diphenhydramine (benadryl) for acute allergic reactions. Also HEPA air purifiers and masks in dusty conditions.