Itchy nose and eyes. Advice?

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

So a couple of days ago I was under the impression that I was getting sick. Instead I have ended up with a very itchy nose and eyes. It's so bad that I can't sleep.

You know that sensation you feel in your nose right before a sneeze? That's how I feel all the time. My nose is itchy, my eyes are itchy and watery. I feel like I just want to claw my face off. Joking but seriously, its bad.

I've also had a runny nose and been sneezing. My lip and nose are raw from so many kleenex. The inside of my nose feels dry and easily irritated.

I've tried antihistamines and a store brand Claritin. The Claritin worked for 4 hours and I can only take one a day.

I'm not sure if I've developed allergies. This isn't the first time this has happened but it's never been this bad before. I feel like the inside of my nose is too irritated and if I breathe in something it will cause me to itch like crazy.

Has anyone dealt with this before? Anyone know of any medication that works? Or maybe some home remedies that might work?

I haven't held Aria in fear of getting her sick but now I'm not sure I am sick. I never got a cough, phlegm or fever. I just want to beat this ASAP so I can hold her. I miss her so much!!

[Shannonmcn]

I've got the awful dry sinus feeling before (it's the WORST) but never without other cold/flu symptoms I am not a doctor or anything close but that sounds like an allergy to me

If it's not: My sister uses olbas menthol oil to clear her sinuses or some people recommend a steam thing where you sit with a towel over your head over a basin of boiling water.

Hope you feel better soon

[Shannonmcn]

Accidental double post, whoops!

[Thin Lizzy]

Oatmeal _ Cupcake, I had something like that last year and I used over the counter stuff but ended up getting a prescription from my doctor which was a steroid nasal spray which was for the throat also and I ended up using the spray for 2 months. I think you're going to need something like that.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Thank you guys. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to get tested for allergies then. Hopefully find out what it is and what to take.

Is it safe to hold Aria?

[Shana]

That sounds unpleasant - I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable! It sounds like allergies to me too.

I'm allergic to lots of things, including hamsters I've found that the only OTC medicine that works for me is Zyrtec. I don't think I'd be able to have a hamster if it didn't exist. It works for a full 24 hours (if I forget to take it at my usual time I'm reminded about 20 minutes later when I start sneezing.) Claritin doesn't work well for a lot of people - it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to try another OTC medication. Also, antihistamine eye drops can be helpful.

Allergy testing is wonderful (not the actual test itself - that's kind of awful.) I was tested a few years ago and learned that along with being allergic to pretty much every animal I'm also allergic to maple pollen...which explained why I'd wake up in the middle of the night with symptoms similar to yours whenever I left the window between my bed and the maple tree outside open. You could have a similar situation going on that testing will help you to identify.

As far as holding Aria goes, it's probably better to wait until the symptoms go away. You're most likely not sick, but it's not worth risking her health. Also, if it is allergies, holding her could exacerbate your symptoms even if you're not allergic to her (because your nose/eyes are already inflamed and possibly more sensitive to potential irritants.)

Feel better, and good luck figuring out what's wrong!

[Thin Lizzy]

I really hope it's nothing serious and can be treated with medication.
Shana says that Zyrtec is really good, why don't you give that a go and see how you get on?
Good Luck xx

[RubyDG]

Definitely get the allergy test done, you may find it's something random that you'd never even think of like shana and her maple pollen or me and my grass allergy . At the very least it will help you eliminate a bunch of possibilities.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Thank you everyone for your comments. My boyfriend picked me up some Flonase on his way home from work so I didn't get a chance to tell him about Zyrtec. I tried it and was able to get my first peaceful sleep since this started up. I actually just woke up a while ago but I might take another nap. I can't believe how much sleep I've lost because of this!

So the Flonase seems to be working. I've still got some minor irritation but not as much as before. It's supposed to take a couple days of taking it before it takes full effect. If for whatever reason this doesn't work or stops working then I will give Zyrtec a try.

Yep, I will for sure get tested after we get this move out of the way. I'll be crazy busy packing things up the rest of this month.

Seriously guys, thank you for the comments and suggestions. Hugs for all!

[Shana]

Glad to hear that you're feeling better!