I think I'm allergic to London. (Warning: TMI!!!)

Every morning when I wake up, I have a massively phlegm-y throat that is fairly impossible to clear.  It just sits there in a big lump, grossing me out.  I feel fine by about noon, but it's starting to really irritate me!  I don't feel sick in any other way, so I think it's allergies, but as all my previous allergies have been food related, I don't know.  Can I pick something up at the chemist or should I talk to my GP?

It is hayfever season...
Even though you have never had environmental allergies, it still could be related to the pollen.  I used to suffer really badly back in the US, but haven't had a single problem since moving here.  Turns out, I am only allergic to Oak pollen and luckily there isn't a lot of that around where I live in London.  Maybe it's one particular type of tree.

Also have you considered getting tested for a mold allergy.  London and England are pretty damp and if the allergy is gone by about noon, it may be that your bedroom has mold, but your place of work or the rest of the house isn't too bad.

Could be dust mites too. I'd recommend trying an anti histimine from the chemist and see if that helps.

Could also be the difference in air pollution levels between where you're used to and London?

I second everything above.

When I moved to Vermont from NYC, I had a horrible allergic reaction because of the different pollens. Moved here and I'm fine. Adam moved to Weston from London and now he has allergy problems (we think). Before that, the only allergies I'd had were foods.

Try an OTC anti-histamine, and if that doesn't work go to your GP. (Or go to your GP if you're popping them every day, because you might get them for cheaper under the NHS. There's also a greater selection of them if you move into prescriptions.)

I used to swear by Fexofenadine. I still have a giant bottle of it...

I would get some Anti Histamine.  Do you live near a roadside?? because it can be quite dusty.

Me and my brother have noticed (he now lives in london)..and sorry to be slightly grim here....but we get very bunged up noses with huge dark boogers...we put that down to pollution there.

But thats only the opinion of two country bumpkins who normally have lovely clean noses!  

Every morning when I wake up, I have a massively phlegm-y throat that is fairly impossible to clear.  It just sits there in a big lump, grossing me out.  I feel fine by about noon, but it's starting to really irritate me!  I don't feel sick in any other way, so I think it's allergies, but as all my previous allergies have been food related, I don't know.  Can I pick something up at the chemist or should I talk to my GP?

Let me know what you find out. My husband has the exact opposite reaction -- he gets the same way when he comes to the U.S. and we've never been able to figure out why.

Thanks all!  I picked up an anti-histamine today that I am going to try before bed, and I'll let you know how it goes.  I wanted a different answer because they make me so drowsy, but as my problem is morning, maybe a nighttime routine is what I need.

thats all really interesting, when i was in the us, i lived on the bay, always had a nice breeze, fresh clean air, now i live in south east london, and i sneeze constantly