Allergies

[Tengudreams]

Good evening! Im trying to learn as a newly diagnosed asthmatic about allergies. I find I dont really sneeze or have watery eyes, or those classic symptoms. But I do often feel pressure around eyes and ears feel clogged...kinda like Im living underwater or in a haze. The pressure in head is def a symptom. Can allergies present in this way? Feel like I have a flu sometimes...that unnnngh feeling behind your eyes.....but I have no flu or cold etc. Can it also make your chest tight? I never see these things listed as allergy reactions. Thoughts?

[Troilus]

It’s possible Tengudreams.

My allergy symptoms aren’t typical. Whe I was first diagnosed many years ago, long before I had asthma, I went to the drs because I couldn’t clean my teeth without wrenching. He did skin prick tests and I was positive to a hole host of things. A bad reaction for me is kind of like a seasick feeling or a hangover. My only typical symptoms are in August, which is my sneezy month.

It might be an idea to try an antihistamine. If your symptoms improve than allergies are likely to be the culprit. I use Loratadine.

[Js706]

I find that when my allergies are bad I quite often feel generally "bunged up" if that makes sense - not necessarily a blocked or runny nose but my sinuses feel like they're clogged up (like a feeling of pressure under my eyes) and my ears can feel quite full and like I can't hear that well too.

Normally I start trying to do sinus rinses more often when I get that sort of feeling, which can help clear it out a bit.

[Mogget]

Hi, I have allergy-driven asthma and don’t tend to sneeze much. I never have itchy or watery eyes. My main symptoms are a heavy head and bunged up feeling and tight chest. So yes allergies can present in that way. Hope you’re able to get yours under control 😊

[Tengudreams in reply to Mogget]

And what do you do to take care of symptoms? Also, did you ever do an allergy test?

[Mogget in reply to Tengudreams]

I’m under the care of a consultant who ran blood tests to see what I’m allergic to. I’m on a fair few asthma meds and for the allergy side of things I take fexofenadine, montelukast and dymista nasal spray (which can all be prescribed at GP level) as well as Xolair which I started earlier this year.

I try my best to keep away from pollen as much as possible - I keep windows closed in rooms I spend a lot of time in and don’t dry my washing outdoors. If I’ve been outside I change my clothes and shower before going to bed. I also have an air purifier in my bedroom.

[Tugun]

Hi,

I wonder if the allergies induce sinus. Js706 mentions a sinus rinse. Just be careful. You can't use table salt. Other minerals found in sea or table salt can be irritating to the nasal passages. Check what is best to use. See if it helps.

[TwickChick]

That sounds like bad allergies, my husband gets cold like symptoms to allergies, whereas my allergies and asthma prevent in tightness of my chest, streaming eyes, swollen eyes Etc

[Hippopotamai]

Sounds more like ENT sinus related problems which frequently coexist with and can exacerbate asthma.

There are OTC nasal rinses such as sterimar (pressurised saline canister) that can help alleviate that pressure/ drain any congestion. I personally recommend using them over the sink or in the shower. Antihistamines help, I'm currently on fexofenadine (prescription only) which has made a huge difference. I also have used beconase (steroidal nasal spray) and steroidal nasal drops which have helped reduced allergy induced nasal polyps. I had awful pressure headaches, ear/nose/eye pressure/pain/popping but these medications made a difference to alleviate most of the pressure and the exacerbation of asthma has gone.

It would be a good idea to chat to your GP about allergy testing and exclusion diets as food can often be a trigger and not just environmental factors. My allergic reactions can manifest as skin rashes (hives), wheezing, sneezing, itchy skin or eyes, headaches, nausea, gastrointestinal or behavioural. There isn't necessarily a standard response to a certain trigger. I can be highly frustrating figuring out what the triggers are but avoiding them can significantly improve quality of life. There is established food/environmental triggers that are common in asthmatics which might be a good place to start.