Hayfever
 

Hi guys, I'm Fraser. I'm new to the forum so I thought I'd give everyone a quick hello :).

When I've finished my degree (currently in my second year) I'm hoping to join the RAF as a pilot. However about 4 years ago now I paid a visit to the doctors with what I suspected as hayfever (itchy eyes), the doc prescribed some eye drops and the symptoms I had dissapeared very shortly after. Since then the symptoms have never re-appeared.
Now I know that the RAF won't take people who have hayfever, but would this be the same in my case considering I've had no symptoms for at least 3 years (4 years by the time I finish my degree)? For all I know it may not have even been hayfever.

I tried to search the forums but didn't find anything specifically answering my question.

Thanks in advance guys :ok:

Fraser, that's almost an impossible question to answer as quite often each case is taken on its own merits. What I suggest you do is make sure that your family GP is on board and answers any questions that the air force medics at OASC might ask of him 'to your advantage' - you need to brief him on the situation and then prime him with what you need him to say. No guarantees of course and you need to have a pretty good relationship with your GP (it worked for a friend of mine recently).

However, don't let it put you off applying - go for it!

Foldie

I had a history of mild hayfever when I joined. I was totally upfront and honest about it, and it didn't seem to bother the OASC med board at all. I've been flying for 16 years and never had an issue with it.

Although, it was uncanny how many aircrew 'came out' once the RAF announced it would offer treatment to those already serving who had hayfever!

Itchy eyes could be conjunctivitus, easy picked up and easy cured.

Simple, don't tell anyone !:}

Fraser, you had a summer cold didn't you? :ok:

Two rules for the military:

Never volunteer and never admit anything.

Got it? ;)

Thanks for the help guys :ok:

Fraser

Check your medical records to see if hayfever was recorded - you have a right to see them.

If it was recorded, get an allergy test for pollen (the test may just be for grass pollen). A negative result may be good proof that the diagnosis was incorrect.

Keep your head down and admit nothing - you can I believe "Grow out" of Hayfever - so if you had it once doesn't mean you would get it again.

If you do get it again, or suffer the itchiness - buy your anti histamine direct from a supermarket - not from the Doctors - and don't get it recorded on your medical notes again !

It sounds like you suffered itchy eyes which resolved quickly.

I bet you have difficulty remembering it.

So did I, once. But I've lived a normal life, ever since.

This story sounds like a complete NON-EVENT.

I've got hayfever and have had it all my life, so I think you would have had many more years of symptoms than the isolated incident you describe so dont worry and good luck!!

It's never stopped me holding a medical cert either.

"Simple, don't tell anyone"

Thats great until you rip your eardrums out when the mucus generated by the condition blocks your eustation tubes and your single pilot and in IMC.

Hayfever can usually be well controlled with OTC medications which have full approval from the CAA. I would suggest you take that route.