Strange Allergy Symptoms

[lewis_sharman]

I have had what i assume to be an allergy for the past 18 months or so, but i can't figure out what is causing it.

When i get up in the morning, i have a bunged up nose and sneeze, as soon as i shower i sneeze, if i blow my nose i sneeze and my eyes get puffy. The symptoms are exactly the same as when i used to get hayfever, but this has been happening all year round.

I thought it could be the dog, but i also sneeze and get snotty in the car, at work and anywhere else, it comes on totally at random.

The other thing that confuses me is that it turns on and off. I can be fine for a few days at home and work without a sniffle, and then other days my eyes are streaming and i have done nothing different!

Its got to the point now where i am getting fed up with it, what could it be?

[whitechief]

Dust allergy? Do you have feather pillows?

[lewis_sharman]

whitechief said:

Dust allergy? Do you have feather pillows?

I believe so

But it seems pronounced especially in the shower. That is when it is always worst, with continual sneezing fits (apart from when its not there of course )

[whitechief]

Maybe try an anti-allergy pillow and see if it improves. If I sleep on feather pillows I suffer terribly with swollen itchy eyes.

[lewis_sharman]

Thanks for the tip

I'm due some new pillows anyways

[JimCross]

I had almost exactly the same thing, and it was a dust mite allergy. Definitely recommend anti-allergy pillows, duvet and matress protector.
You can be tested for dust mite allergy with a RAST test.

Don't know why the shower makes it worse, but it was the same for me - shower, bath, swimming pool, sauna etc all made my eyes soooo itchy

[TedMaul]

JimCross said:

I had almost exactly the same thing, and it was a dust mite allergy. Definitely recommend anti-allergy pillows, duvet and matress protector.
You can be tested for dust mite allergy with a RAST test.

Don't know why the shower makes it worse, but it was the same for me - shower, bath, swimming pool, sauna etc all made my eyes soooo itchy

Skin test would suffice initially rather than RAST test I suspect esp as RAST test take ages to come back.

Perhaps washing the dust mites off hair into eyes/nose is source of problem? Has OPs other half changed perfume or deoderant??. Perhaps OP should see if symptoms persist only when hair is washed and if so, wear goggles, synchro-swimming nose clips and a snorkel in the shower...

[JimCross]

The RAST test I had took about 1-2 weeks to come back, though that was private. They didn't suggest a skin test for me, possibly because they're less reliable, or possibly because a RAST test can identify for allergies...

[TedMaul]

JimCross said:

The RAST test I had took about 1-2 weeks to come back, though that was private. They didn't suggest a skin test for me, possibly because they're less reliable, or possibly because a RAST test can identify for allergies...

Would be private, normally a month. RAST tests can test for allergies of course, but they are not 100% conclusive, certainly for food allergies and certainly not for intolerance. Skin-prick tests aren't 100% reliable either.... Both my kids have sever food allergies and we have been through the skin test/RAST test/food challenge loop a fair few times!