talkhealth forums

Hi,

For some time now (a few years) i have had problems with my nose. I go through stages every day, usually morning but not always, where it runs constantly or is blocked in one nostril so i have trouble breathing through my nose and sneeze lots. To start with i thought it was hay fever but then it continued year round. Eventually i went to the doctor last year who said i had an allergy and my nose looked red, angry and inflamed inside. She prescribed me a beconase nasal spray which helps but as soon as i stop using it all the symptoms come back and i have to start taking it again.

I am currently taking it one spray in each nostril once a day. My GP said that because its a steroid i must ease myself off it soon but with no improvement unless i am taking it what should i do?

I also can't see what i am allergic to? It can start in bed, in the car, at work or when i'm outside. I have changed my pillow and duvet to hypoallergenic which hasn't made any difference.

Please help!

Dear Salty Bear
It would be impossible to make a diagnosis online and the best way to move forward would be for your GP to make a referral to a specialist. I appreciate that depending where you live this may be difficult as there are very few allergy centres.
The symptoms of runny, blocked nose and sneezing may well be related to House Dust Mite allergy. Do you get any eye symptoms associated with your nasal problems? Some people get isolated nasal symptoms, but a lot also get itchy, sore eyes.
The diagnosis can be made by skin prick testing or a blood test (looking at specific antibodies in your blood to house dust mite).
Hypoallergenic duvet and pillows might also help, but unfortunately our homes are perfect breeding environments for these creatures and they quickly colonise most surfaces such as carpets and curtains as well as beds.
Don't worry about using your steroid nasal spray, unless you get some unpleasant side effects, you can continue (the actual systemic distribution of steroid is very tiny, I presume you are an adult) You can add daily oral antihistamine (there are lots you can get over the counter: Cetirizine, Loratidine etc, better if it is non drowsy of course)
Desensitisation oral or injection is also an option, but for this you will need your GP's referral to Allergy/Immunology services.

Hope this helps,
Joanna

Thank you for your reply.

I don't get eye symptoms, it is just my nose although this does sometimes cause throat problems but i think that is where i can't breath properly at night so must sleep with my mouth open which dries my throat out. It also seems to affect my asthma. My asthma is very mild but i noticed when i was on the nasal spray i needed to use my inhaler more. Because my asthma is so well controlled my asthma nurse is happy for me to alter the dose of my preventer when needed i.e. 1 puff twice a day when controlled and 2 puffs twice a day when it gets worse. Without the nasal spray i have had to start taking my inhaler 2 puffs rather than 1.

Why would it be affecting my asthma? My asthma still isn't bad compared to many people it's just i notice the difference in tightness etc.

How easy would it be to get tested? My GP seemed to think that if it was being treated it didn't matter what the allergy was to but how can i try to avoid it if i don't know what it is?

I will definitely ask for one of the newer nasal sprays, none of that had been explained to me before, i just thought they were all much the same.

Thanks again.