Q. I have severe sneezing and running nose. Please help me out of this.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

My diagnosis of your condition based on the information you have provided is allergic rhinitis. However, to confirm the same I want you to do two investigations namely serum IgE and absolute eosinophil count. Both are blood investigations.

Allergy is not curable, however you can control it. You can keep it under wraps so that you are not bothered by the frequently disturbing symptoms. It needs patience and perseverance from your side.

Following are some precautions and suggestions to help you deal with this problem.

1. Avoid smoke/dust/polluted areas. Wear mask if it is unavoidable while going to such areas.
2. Do not smoke or use snuffs. Desist from drinking and whenever you drink do not mix drinks or take fancy flaming shots. Passive smoking also is very bad.
3. When you wake up, fold the bed spread over which you slept without shaking it and take it outside the house and shake it vigorously so that all dust/dandruff/dead skin cells/dried cosmetic powders will go off outside the house.
4. Wash the bed linens, curtains and carpets once a week. Those which cannot be washed have to be dusted outside the house and not inside. Change the pillow cover every 4 to 5 days and wash it with extra soap.
5. Make a note of all activities which you do each day and make special notes on the days you have allergy. Note down the places you visit, stuffs you do, things you eat, etc. In that way you may be able to find the offending particle or what we call the allergen because of which you develop allergy.
6. Due to the winds dust, pollen, flower particles and mud particles get transported and get inhaled by us which leads to allergy. It is better to stay indoors and keep windows closed in times of such strong winds. Open windows early morning for good ventilation and keep windows closed during rush hour, office traffic, etc.
7. Do not sleep straight under the fan or air conditioner. Keep air conditioner at appropriate temperature with good moisture.
8. Drink lukewarm water of 4 to 5 liters everyday and take meal hot rather than cold.
9. Eat nutritious food rich in proteins, green leafy vegetables, vitamins and minerals. Eat an amla (gooseberry) daily as it is an excellent source of Vitamin C and helps to prevent infections.
10. Avoid cold food/alcohol/aerated cold drinks.
11. Dry your hair soon after head bath and do not apply oil for a long duration.
12. For a month take multivitamin supplement (Himalaya Septilin or A to Z capsules, Septilin is ayurveda).

If we know for sure that you are suffering from allergy (positive results in those two tests which I told you) we can institute you on steroid nasal sprays namely Mometasone Furoate (Metaspray) or Fluticasone Propionate (Flomist).

These will reduce local inflammation in the nose and prevent allergic symptoms like running nose tremendously. However, they have to be used continuously for a period of one or two months. They are safe and do not produce side effects like systemic steroids.

I am unsure regarding homeo medicines whether it will be helpful for this condition or not. You are advised to use your discretion regarding the use of homeo medicines. However ayurveda medicines being entirely natural (as what is claimed by manufacturers and ayurveda pharmacies) can be combined with allopathic medicines without fear of side effects.

1. Dust, dust mite, smoke, pollution, wind, pollen, saw dust, husk, agricultural dust and industrial air.
2. Food allergies like prawns, peanuts, milk and gluten.

1. Serum IgE.
2. Absolute eosinophil count.
3. Total blood count.

1. Allergic rhinitis.
2. Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome.

Allergic rhinitis.

When you suffer from allergy (on the day of intense sneezing and running nose) take a tablet of Allegra (Fexofenadine) 120 mg.
If the problem appears daily then take Montair Fx (combination of Montelukast sodium and Fexofenadine hydrochloride) for three nights daily.

Revert back with the investigation result to an allergy specialist online.---> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/allergy-specialist