Hayfever

[2078OWHC]

Im 16 and been looking forward to a possible career as a fast jet pilot, somthing that i has been my dream since i was 5 years old. I recently discovered that hayfever may stop me from carrying on with this possible career. I have never been tested for hayfever, so it is not on my medical record, although in my younger years i did suffer from it for a couple of weeks in June. However over the past few years my symptoms have become less serious and they are now practically nothing. I sneeze once or twice a day and my eyes do not itch or water (this is during peak hayfever times). Hopefully, fingers crossed my hayfever will disapper by the time i leave University. Would i be able to not inform the RAF careers about my hayfever if it has disappaeared? Also are there any possible medicines or methods to completely remove my hayferever?
Any replies would be much appreciated, thanks for your time =)

[neckache]

Hi

Glad to hear your symptoms have dropped off, wish i could say the same about mine. I get the full hit during summer, eyes - nose- back of throat and chest.

Good question raised, i'm going to be booking my Class 1 medical shortly and i'd like to know the answer myself. I'm going to get in contact with the guy who did my class 2 and see what he says.

I'll get back to you:ok:

[minstermineman]

Also are there any possible medicines or methods to completely remove my hayferever?


I dont think so - whoever manages to find one will be a rich man !

All you can do is relieve the symptoms, the 'old fashioned' Piriton based stuff is one to avoid - it's one of those that makes you drowsy - which you certainly dont want to use - whether fast jet flying or driving a pushbike !

Of course should you find yourself strapped into a jet with an oxygen supply strapped onto you - then you will be the envy of the rest of us sufferers :)

I find that the only place I get refuge is if I go to sea . . .

[airborne_artist]

If you've not been diagnosed with it, and not had prescription medicines for it then how do you know it was not a cold? ;)

The RAF will only look at your medical record and what you tell them - they can't do anything else, and they won't test for it.

Be a sensible chap and keep mum - careless talk costs lives, and dreams....

[Carnage Matey!]

If your hayfever is mild you can use Fexofenadine. It's approved by the CAA for class 1 medicals and apparently approved by the RAF too.

[2078OWHC]

Thnx for replying to my thread, its much appreciated :)
If you cld get back to me on how well your medical went that would be great! I wish you the best of luck!
Cheers

[SimJock]

I had a Class 1 medical and used Clarityn for hayfever which was deemed acceptable by the CAA. I found that as soon as I got airborne any sniffling or eye watering that I did have on the ground just went away, freshly cut grass airfields weren't a problem either it was just those damn trees ! and then perhaps only some specific types :8

[Jenson Button]

2087OWHC,

If you've nothing in your medical records, no prescriptions whatsoever, then you could state hand on heart you don't get hayfever. However, whats to say that you're invited up to Cranwell and have itchy eyes,sneezes say in July next year....bit difficult to avoid. I got a Flying Scholarship and jumped thru the aircrew hoops with mild hayfever. Medics were very thorough, with some very specialist tests in London and Cranwell giving me the all clear. I fly commercially, use Fexofenadine and Beconase. Still get the odd day when pollen count is bad, but the pills sort it out. Good luck.

Jenson

[destinationsky]

Had my class one medical a week ago. i was told the use of clarityn is acceptable but anything that contains cetirizine is a no go. you can use all the eyedrops and nasal sprays you need.
I used to get hayfever really bad when i was younger but now at 25 it has settled down drastically just in time for me to start training! :)
The RAF cant test for hayfever and if it is not on your medical records, why mention it?!

[manrow]

My experience echoes that of destinationsky.

Rejected by RAF due to telling them I suffered from hayfever, which I did in late teens I suspect, but during the next ten years it diminished and had no impact upon my aviation career during the next 30 years.

I am also told tongue in cheek that there are some 365 types of the common cold so eventually you become resistent to the majority!!

Happy flying - nothing else like it!