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How can a 43-year-old man manage chronic allergies?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 43-year-old married man who weighs 147.7 pounds and stands 5 feet 4 inches tall. I have a chronic health issue. I've had cold symptoms due to allergies since childhood. Whenever I come into contact with dust, the faint musty smell of unwashed fabric (even if it is unnoticeable to others), direct cold air from air conditioning (AC), a moist environment, cold air before or after rain, an evening breeze, or chilly (even slightly cold) drinking water or milkshake, I eventually develop a throat infection. This sore throat leads to a runny nose, severe cold, body aches, a white-coated tongue, and a cough.

To treat a cold, I use Paracetamol and Cetirizine. If I am lucky, the symptoms will subside. However, sometimes a sore throat and runny nose will not go away unless I take an antibiotic prescribed by my doctor. The sore throat and cold symptoms usually resolve after taking antibiotics, but I often experience significant nausea during the process. This affects both my work and fitness routines. I try to avoid coming into contact with the previously mentioned triggers, but it often happens unintentionally, and the cycle repeats itself.

Just two days ago, I felt wet chilly air following rain. So I have had a sore throat infection and bodily aches since yesterday, and I am afraid it will develop into a runny nose within a day. Also because I often exercise, I aim to eat a balanced diet as much as possible. I take two whole eggs and two whole eggs every day. I avoid cold drinks at all costs and I try to avoid hot tea. Apart from these, I use eye drops for my dry eyes and take Rosuvastatin tablets.

My strategy for controlling this condition is as follows:

  1. Avoid all of the aforementioned causes. I never drink even a small amount of cold water, milkshake, or cold drink. I use a mask when cleaning or dusting the house. I use clothes only after a recent wash to avoid fungal odors, and I wear a mask if I travel in a wet environment or the evening cold air stream.
  2. I sleep in an air-conditioned room with a mask covering my nose and ears.
  3. I avoid sleeping on bed linen that has been infested with fungus (due to moisture).
  4. When I have a throat infection, I gargle with warm saltwater.
  5. If a runny nose and discomfort persist, I take an antibiotic as prescribed by my doctor.
  6. I consume cough syrups given by doctors to alleviate my cough.

The queries I would like to know are:

  1. Is it possible to eliminate this allergy even with the following allergy triggers? And how (medicines, for example)?
  2. If a throat infection occurs, is it possible to treat it locally without causing a cold or runny nose?
  3. Do you have any other suggestions?

Please help.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Yes, it is possible to prevent a sore throat from worsening, but it varies from case to case. You need to determine what you are allergic to, so I suggest getting a skin prick allergy test. Once we identify your allergies, we can offer allergy immunotherapy and discuss allergen avoidance to help you achieve long-term relief. In the meantime, continue using your current medications and safeguards.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for using icliniq, and have a nice day.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At December 17, 2023
Reviewed AtOctober 29, 2025

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