I had from a young age severe reactions to horses and also suffered from hayfever.

After going near a horse my throat would swell causing breathing difficulties along with swelling to the face and eyes.

After many trips to the doctors where they tried me on a whole different page of antihistamines mostly steroid based, i gave up as the side effects from them were hard to deal with and none seemed to do the full job.

Luckily improvements over the years have been made and there is a great range on the market.

Ironically Piriton which you can buy over the counter controls both my allergie to horses and to hayfever. I just have to make sure i take them about half hour before contact with horses or before midday when my hayfever is at its worst.

It may not work for everyone but i would recommend trying the over the shelf varieties before you go to the doctor. Everybodys system is different and what one tablet might do for one person may not work for the other.

If you can't find one that works for you then you should try and minimize contact with whatever the allergy is caused by.

If you find your hayfever is worse at dusk then try to keep windows shut, and have a warm damp flannel close by as this helps to relieve itchy eyes.

I try to avoid horses as much as possible, however living where i do i can't always be 100% successful so i just try to minimize contact as best i can.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Baxter.
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