Do you have sinus and/or allergy issues?

Question

I was raised in NJ. I used to get sinus/allergy headaches every Spring and Fall. In Florida, I rarely had them. Here in Wisconsin, I'm getting them each Spring and Fall. Nothing over the counter is helping, and neither is anything the doctor had me try. It gives temporary relief sometimes, but not this time. Day 4 now. I figured there is something that grows in the northern US that doesn't grow in the south. Do any of you go through this as well?

Answer 1

I never had any problems until moving to the DC area where sinus and allergy issues are rampant!

Now I can never tell whether I am having a sinusitis episode; allergic reaction or just a plain common cold.

I'm miserable in Spring and Fall....OK once real heat settles in during summer and real cold in winter time.

NEVER have problems in Caribbean climates..but then grasses are not a problem; air is not polluted and the salt air and sea provide instant cure for that which ails you

Answer 2

I live in northern California and we are agricultural here and we are also in the direct path of the northerly wind patterns coming out of the ag valleys in Oregon and Washington States. EVERYBODY gets sick here when the north winds come in. Oh joy!

Boy do we have allergies and sinus problems here. Everybody that lives here does, it goes with the territory. It's one of the reasons (getting out of the valley) and going over the coastal mountain range to the coast is such a treat for a few days of fresh ocean air.

Cigarettes were killing my immune system and I had one infection after another till I quit in 1990. Have had probably 3 infections in all these years since then and 2 were viral. Get flu shots every year too.

But if I just take the over the counter Claritin every day now and I remain almost problem free from the outside atmospheric stuff anyway, trees, grasses, molds, things like that.
But I also have hayfever and so I'm horribly allergic to dried flowers, dried out fields, AND house dust which is why I hired a gal to come in and help me stay ahead of it. I have to keep a really nice clean house. My kitty is an outdoor one. I was sick all winter long after we had recessed lights installed last winter.

If I were you, I'd google some material on allergens and see if your allergies maybe pertain to some other things besides growing things. Sometimes the ordinary household things can be the culprit. You'd be surprised.

Answer 3

I don't think I have allergies; my tests years ago were inconclusive, but I have definitely found relief with one particular product; it is called Nasonex, and is a spray used morning and night and I have used it intermittently for about 5 years. There are no side effects. I am using it again after being off it for about a year. It has stopped the post nasal drip, sore throats and constant nose blowing I had to do before. My sinus infections are treatable now, too. If I get an infection, regular medication from my doctor is effective. I am not sure if you can get it in the U.S., or if it is called something else. It is easily prescribed and bought here in Canada. My son uses it at times as well and works for him. I also use a saline solution if I am really stuffed up. I don't buy it anymore; I make my own. Use luke warm water and a pinch of salt. Squirt it up each nostril in generous amounts and then blow your nose. When things are bad I do that 2 or 3 times a day. Works well!

Answer 4

Yes, I'd had sinus problems since I was a teenager in WV. When we lived in FL I didn't have as many problems. We moved to Carolina and I had allergy tests. I'm allergic to dogs, dust, mold, grass, and foods: celery, cabbage, corn, carrots, lettuce, and oysters. Finding what to eat is very difficult.

I also developed MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) to about everything with a fragrance, bleach, fumes, etc. I have to take precautions and watch where I go to avoid migraines with vomiting from this. Most meds don't help. I do use some homeopathic remedies and a Netti pot with pickling salt and soda mixture that helps a bit.

Answer 5

Yes, I live in the dessert and have a sinus headache nearly every day. Usually one "Equate Severe Allergy & Sinus Headache" pill and two aspiren will get rid of it. If not, an hour later I will take one more Equate. I get it at Kmart or Walmart. "Sine-Aid" was the best I ever found, but the drug addicts started making something with it and it was taken off the market. I don't remember the name of what I took before that worked, but it was taken off for the same reason.

Answer 6

I have Indiana sinuses, compounded by California fires.

When we had the fires here in 2003, they told us then that particulates would be flying for years to come in our air. Add to that the fact that we have the worst air quality in the United States (equivalent to smoking 2 1/2 packs of cigarettes a day and not half the fun), and there are lots of sinus problems. Oh well, just have to keep the saline close at hand and live with it.

At least I still know when the weather is going to change and don't have to depend on my arthritis!

Answer 7

We missed you over the weekend!

I never had a problem with allergies I thought, but the doc I worked for told me that the sinus infections that I got every month were from allergies. Last year the pollen count was super high here in SC, I thought I had a cold and then blew my nose and it was all blood, scared me to death. Turns out it was from the pollen aggravating my sinuses. I hate the headaches that accompany it too

Answer 8

Yes, I live in the Northeast and I've had allergies for over 40 years. I went to see an allergist when I was in my teens and ended up being tested to see what I was allergic to. After finding that I was allergic to just about everything that is green and grows I ended up taking shots for about 2 years. The shots helped a little bit but I still suffer during the growing season until the first killing frost. The best thing that works for me is staying in air conditioned areas, using wet facecloths to relieve itchy eyes, not hanging any clothes or bedding outdoors, and always keeping windows closed. If you have pets vacuum often because they bring the pollen indoors on them. I have tried all the medication available but all they do is make me drowsy. Go see an allergist to be tested to see what you are allergic to and you will know what to avoid. Oh, and using nasal spray longterm is very harmul!

Answer 9

I have lived in NY most of my life and never had allergies, yet a year ago I started getting an itchy nose and the funny thing is that it last all year. I use over the counter Claratin D and it helps for a while. What I do is use nasal spray to moisten my nostrils. To me this helps a lot. Sorry about your case.

Answer 10

Oh yes! My allergies are so severe, that they cannot give me allergy shots! I go into anaphalaxic (spelling?) shock! That is not fun and scary when your throat swells shut!

You need to figure out what your triggers are and stay away from them! If it is an air born allergen, you may need to wear a mask while the pollen is in the air.

Geesh, I wish you luck and I know how bad those headaches can be! I hope you feel better soon!