Ragweed Season

[WVOldFart]

In my part of the country this is Ragweed season. The pollen from this plant is miserable to many allergy sufferers. Although it doesn't affect me as bad as some, it does have the tendency to irritate my sinus and mucus membranes. This effects how the tobacco tastes when I smoke it. The sense of smell is just as important as taste when it comes to pipe smoking and ragweed changes the taste of the experience for me in not a good way. I usually halt smoking for a while or cut back drastically. How do you cope with sinus issues and does it affect the smoking experience for you?

 

[fireground_piper]

Nasal rinses. Parts of spring and then again right now hit me pretty good and I started using saline nasal rinse in the morning. I had significant improvement this year compared to past years on my sinus issues during the seasons.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

We've had so much rain this summer that the trees are still producing pollen. It is driving me crazy. I have to use a nasal steroid every day... so I smell really strong now.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

We've had so much rain this summer that the trees are still producing pollen. It is driving me crazy. I have to use a nasal steroid every day... so I smell really strong now.

Same here....

 

[mso489]

Do you think my sneezing has anything to do with that? It's one of those times of the year.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Do you think my sneezing has anything to do with that? It's one of those times of the year.

My doctor says "yes," and he is an expert at diagnosing people through the internets.

 

[bullet08]

Luckily, I don't have any allergies. Rest of my family all have pollen allergies to some degree. I guess, that's my 1/4 Japanese blood looking out for me. My mother doesn't have allergies.

 

[anotherbob]

I had the worst reaction to ragweed. Then I took up nasal snuff. After the first few months of sneezing like it was ragweed season I've not had a serious issue with ragweed. Now that one purple flower still makes my eyes swell and crust and have to explain to people that allergic pink eye is a thing and that stupid flower over there yeah that purple one gives it to me and also will make my skin itch if I rub past the flowers.

 

[stevecourtright]

I believe that nicotine causes vasoconstriction, and, as a result, one's nose doesn't run as freely during allergy season. Just one more good reason.... you know.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I believe that nicotine causes vasoconstriction, and, as a result, one's nose doesn't run as freely during allergy season. Just one more good reason.... you know.

I tend to skip the runny nose phase, probably because of smoking, as you say.
But, then I go to bed, when it's the only time I am not smoking, and the backed up snot runs down into my lungs, then I wake up with an upper respiratory infection.

 

[stevecourtright]

I tend to skip the runny nose phase, probably because of smoking, as you say.
But, then I go to bed, when it's the only time I am not smoking, and the backed up snot runs down into my lungs, then I wake up with an upper respiratory infection.

That sounds unpleasant, Cosmic. Sorry. I recall mowing the lawn as a kid and feeling miserable. We lived in the middle of about 10 acres of virgin prairie and late summer time was the worst for me. To this day I love winter camping.

 

[FurCoat]

Flonase at night and a Claritin in the morning. Two distinct classes of medicine so they do not interact with eachother. I take them 12 hours apart. Saline rinse on bad days.

 

[kcghost]

I have the world's worst sinuses and amazingly I have no allergies. No one life's little mysteries.

 

[Daydreamer]

Flonase at night and a Claritin in the morning. Two distinct classes of medicine so they do not interact with eachother. I take them 12 hours apart. Saline rinse on bad days.

I use both as well. There is also a saline nasal gel that works well too.

 

[FurCoat]

I use both as well. There is also a saline nasal gel that works well too.

I'll be looking up the saline gel

 

[Daydreamer]

I'll be looking up the saline gel

I have bad allergies as well and the gel really helps to keep things moist. It’s really helpful in thie winter when everything gets real dry.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

The pipe actually helps me deal with the allergies. If I'm suffering from sinus pressure especially, a little strong tobacco makes me feel better.

A neti pot also helps.

These are my two main ways. I can't handle claritin or benedril for very long. I take the nasonex only when I absolutely have to.

 

[Daydreamer]

The pipe actually helps me deal with the allergies. If I'm suffering from sinus pressure especially, a little strong tobacco makes me feel better.

A neti pot also helps.

These are my two main ways. I can't handle claritin or benedril for very long. I take the nasonex only when I absolutely have to.

Would make sense. I think the nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor to the blood vessels in the sinuses much the same way pseudoephedrine works as a nasal decongestant.
So there you have it, another positive aspect of pipe smoking?

 

[Bluemonter]

Drinking local whiskey helps, as it has pollen in it that helps build your body's immune system, to minimize allergic reactions and....ah....oh crap, that's honey.......I've been doing this all wrong.
Dang...

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Pray for frost.