The pollen counts are so high today but these are my symptoms:
*Sneezing occasionally *Nose is only slightly stuffy *itchy skin that gets worse as the day goes on *Overall fatigue *My airways in my chest feel slightly tighter *Breakouts of hives that appear and disappear in random spots throughout my whole body
Is this all allergy related, like will taking Claritin help?
It’s just when I read the box and it says “For itchy watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose” I mean… my symptoms don’t feel like they totally line up with that you know?

Is it just an impression or is there sooooo much pollen in the air right now in Brussels ??
I’m getting my a$$ kicked by allergies so bad this year - I feel like nature is trying to kill me every time I go outside 😫😢 - and I was just wondering if it’s me who’s getting soft, or if it’s really pretty bad around Brussels right now ?

Hello guys, i have pollen allergy and i often scratch my eyeball skin...I got my cornea torn, i can see a bag of cornea layer getting baggy when i move my right eye inwards. Read that it can actually be bad in some cases and pretty non problematic in other cases. So what do you guys think of this? It gets baggy even in the down area, so yeah, pretty much all there is...
​
Will it repair, or what can i expect..Feels uncomfortable and all sorts of stuff.

Well, 27M here everyone. Quoting Bo Burnham: “My current mental health is rapidly approaching an ATL. That’s an all time low. Not. Not Atlanta.” This will be a long one, so brace yourself.
The last couple of years have been so challenging that I’m sure I may have broken a mirror pre pandemic and am suffering the 7 years of misfortunes kind of thing.
I picked a career that I enjoy, working as a software developer. I’m in a bad position right now, I’m constantly being torn apart between just mindless doing the job, which is what’s expected apparently, and actually caring about what I put my hard work and sweat in it.
I need to make a move, but things won’t be as fast as I need them to be. And that’s driving me nuts and I’m not being able to handle, along with the pressure that comes with the job. I wished I could be that kind of person that just handles work as work, but I’m too dumb or too mad to actually be able to do that. I need to actually be happy at work to be happy at all, and that’s a big toll.
My personal life is laughable right now. Covered in debt despite having a more then average salary, with close friends that I don’t see that often, and that I’m not able to be 100% vulnerable, given the dark dark place I am.
My family is…complicated to say the least. A probably borderline, narcissistic, fake news induced mom that drives me insane (also, we’re in a bit of a rough patch, which doesn’t help), a distant work induced dad and a recently friends with brother, that I don’t feel comfortable or close enough to actually count upon.
Oh, and I’m also the problem solver of the family, so yeah, that’s hard by itself. They’re not bad or evil, but I’m such a different person that each day it passes I’m relating less and less with them.
I’ve been battling depression and anxiety for my whole life and in the last year have been diagnosed with ADHD. Which is funny, right? I’m on treatment for a couple of years now (medication and cognitive therapy), but yeah….that’s not holding up as we should.
I’ve hit a blockage right now where I’m trying to find purpose or a driver for my life, but this is a void that I’m trying to fill for some years right now. It’s hard and scary living without one, but…yeah, idk.
Not only that but, considering I work remotely and just having realized that I haven’t left my building for anything other then obligations for maybe a month right now, I’m really being a punchbag for the loneliness. And dude…despite living alone with my dog, this is being a challenge to handle.
After work and weekends, I feel so drained out, that the only thing I’m doing is trying to rest, getting high on weed and maybe playing videogames or watching something. Most of the time I’m just endlessly scrolling on my phone.
I really do mask the shit out of all of this to everyone. At least to some degree. Currently, I’m being so torn apart that I’m not even being able to do it properly so. The anger is getting out. The self deprecation is getting out of control. In retrospect, I’m becoming a shitty version of Bully McGuire or something like that.
You know, I hate all of those things about me. But I do love some as well. I’m smarter than average. I do crave knowledge like a crackhead and I love learning. Most of my YouTube is science, video essays and analysis about the most varied topics.
I feel so terrible inside, that I am mostly a really kind and non judgemental person. I do have issues with people pleasing, but I don’t want anyone to feel as I feel because of me. At this point, I’ve just accepted that I’m this person.
I’m doing everything in my reach to keep myself afloat. I’m paying attention and trying to do the best with my eating habits, medication, I haven’t dropped going to the gym, which does help a lot and I’m keeping my self care routines as best as I can. I don’t know how much this is helping, but I know it’d be much worse without them.
My therapist says I’m too catastrophic, which I am, but that’s so embroidered in my head that I do loose the perception of what’s real real, and what’s just in my head. But then again, how would I not be with everything I’m going through right now?
I don’t know guys. I’m in a dark place, still swimming but I’m completely terrified of the question “how long can I keep doing this”. I have, at this point, chronic suicidal thoughts, but I won’t do it. They’re being hard to fight as well.
Fear is the mind killer. Indeed it is. But everything is so covered in unsureness right now, that I’m not being able to embrace it. And considering I’ve probably burnt out some times in the last couple of years, and still kept going despite all of this, I feel kinda a bit trapped.
I don’t know. I’m scared, it’s hard, and maybe that’s what life’s about. I’m privileged to have the life that I have, but that isn’t enough to say I’m happy.
And despite of fighting like crazy, even when I can’t do it, I do feel like I’m in a gigantic bottomless dark lake inside a cave, where I can’t see the light, but just have to keep swimming.
So yeah, bit of a rough patch.

So context, I have a very sore throat, low-key body aches, and a very runny nose that I’m blowing every 5 minutes. Kept me up all night too. Yesterday I was out at a park, and got hit by a very big cloud of pollen. It looked like fog. This was about 21 hours ago. I do have a slight pollen allergy, but since there was so much, might have that caused me to get sick? I started feeling a slight sore throat about 1-2 hours after the bug cloud, and it progressively got worse through the night.
If this is just allergies, how long might it be until it goes away? And if not, never mind!

I'm currently campign in camp4 and my pollen allergy is striking hard. Any idea where I can find a few anti histamine pills?

LO will be 9mo on 6/5 and lately we’re having a difficult time sleep wise. We’ve been bedsharing safely and contact napping in the rocker pretty much since birth and while I love the cuddles and snuggles and time to just sit on my phone - I know something has to shift for both our sakes.
Little info on current obstacles: He’s cut both bottom teeth (have a feeling the top ones are starting to work their magic), has been congested over the last 2 weeks from teething/allergies, no ear infection, barrel rolling and pushing up like a wild man, just figured out how to slightly pull up in the pack n play, and we’re in the midst of having to quickly wean into a new formula while we wait for the one we love to be delivered ( it’s a whole mess lol)
All that being said - I’m exhausted. LO isn’t sleeping great, I’m definitely not sleeping great, and it’s starting to take a toll on my mental health. Been this way since right before 4mo with a few great nights of 6-8hr stretches sprinkled in that I could count on both hands.
Where do we even begin? I’m not interested in CIO as it pierces my soul to hear him cry like that, but know something needs to shift for both of our well-being. I’m so afraid it’s going to ruin our bond as I took to bedsharing for extra sleep initially and since I had to stop BF early on I wanted all the bonding I could get. I’m also afraid he’ll feel abandoned in the crib, constantly be hitting his head since he likes to wake up and do baby push ups and roll around, etc.
Do we start with the crib in the bedroom to get used to it? Do we just set it up in his room and start there? LO hates being put down (particularly on his back) so I started to spiral thinking there was an underlying issue (like tongue/lip tie, enlarged adenoids, iron deficiency, etc) as he has slept with his mouth open for as long as I can remember and has been having night spasms in his arms, legs, etc like little twitches. Normal? Yes according to our ped. I’m not convinced though.
So, back to my original hesitation of wanting to ST in case it is something bigger (on top of everything I outlined above lol) what do we do? I’m at a loss and would love to hear from your experiences + recommendations pretty pretty please!

LO will be 9mo on 6/5 and lately we’re having a difficult time sleep wise. He’s cut both bottom teeth (have a feeling the top ones are starting to work their magic), has been congested over the last 2 weeks from teething/allergies, no ear infection, barrel rolling and pushing up like a wild man, just figured out how to slightly pull up in the pack n play, and we’re in the midst of having to quickly wean into a new formula while we wait for the one we love to be delivered ( it’s a whole mess lol)
All that being said - I’m exhausted. LO isn’t sleeping great, I’m definitely not sleeping great, and it’s starting to take a toll on my mental health. Been this way since right before 4mo with a few great nights of 6-8hr stretches sprinkled in that I could count on both hands.
Where do we even begin? I’m not interested in CIO as it pierces my soul to hear him cry like that, but know something needs to shift for both of our well-being. Do we start with the crib in the bedroom to get used to it? Do we just set it up in his room and start there? LO hates being put down (particularly on his back) so I started to spiral thinking there was an underlying issue (like tongue/lip tie, enlarged adenoids, iron deficiency, etc) as he has slept with his mouth open for as long as I can remember and has been having night spasms in his arms, legs, etc like little twitches. Normal? Yes according to our ped. I’m not convinced though.
So, back to my original hesitation of wanting to ST in case it is something bigger (on top of everything I outlined above lol) what do we do? I’m at a loss and would love to hear from your experiences + recommendations pretty pretty please!

Hi yes, I think my body is against me in my quest to lose weight after my first year of college. I don't feel/look unhealthy, I just would like to have my pants fit better because the very thought of pants shopping makes me wanna jump off a bridge. Yes I am working out now, but I think healthy living includes eating better, too.
The thing is, I have always had allergies. I have what is called Oral Syndrome Disease (stupidest name in the world, I know, but super common, so shout out to my fellows out there!). I have gone to an allergist and found out that I am allergic to most pollen from plants, and this connects to my food allergies. My body basically thinks food is a big ball of pollen and is like "Alert, intruder!" Now, brightside: Food won't kill me outright. Worst case scenario is I just feel like I'm going to stop breathing, but don't actually out of sheer will power and stubbornness. Bad news: I am allergic to a lot.
Generally speaking, I am allergic to most nuts, fruits, vegetables and for some reason soy milk. Usually, I can cook the 'allergy' out of foods. Example being: carrots are one of the foods that give me a severe "I feel like I'm gonna die" reaction, but if I roast the shit outta them, they're chill. Canned things also work for some reason. Example being: peaches are on the no fly list for me. They don't kill, but it's just not a great time. I can have canned peaches, though, with zero problems. Confused yet? Welcome to my world, I'm so tired.
Now, much like lactose intolerant people, I still eat things I'm allergic to because I want to live a fulfilling life. What is the point of life if I can't drink smoothies or eat a salad? I just have to walk a thin line when I chose what I eat. It's like, am I in the mood to have a mild allergic reaction right now? I prefer to make things myself because I know exactly how it's prepared, so it's up to my standards of minimal reaction as possible. Example: I am addicted to smoothies.
I just want suggestions to help me find things I can eat. There has to be food/recipes out there I can cook myself, eat semi-safely, that's healthy and has attainable ingredients for your average American. I'm open to anything, I'm not really allowed to be picky. I have a weak spice tolerance, though.
There's definitely more about my allergies, but I will just take suggestions on a case by case basis so as to not confuse anyone/info dump. Please ask questions if you have any. I am also willing to try different foods across the world, if I can get my hands on them. I have gone to the local Asian market and nabbed different foods and have had mixed results (starfruit is dead to me).
Exceptions to the rule (AKA things I have zero problem with raw)

• peanuts
• cashews
• blueberries
• blackberries
• red grapes
• raseberries
• strawberries
• bananas
• mangos
• asparagus
• lettuce

Every other fruit, nut, or vegetable not on that list I have some level of reaction to or have not tried it yet.
TL;DR: I want to eat healthy, but I'm allergic to nuts, fruits, vegetables and soy milk. I can have them cooked/canned/throughly processed in a food item, though. I need suggestions on what to eat, please help.

Age: 22
Sex: M
Height: 5”7 ft
Weight: 147 lbs
Health conditions: GERD, costochondritis, allergies
Medicine: Pantoprazole 40mg, Cetrizin Mylan 10mg.
Tobacco: nicotine thing (snus) for 7 years.
Alcohol: 0-1 times a month.
Previous health conditions: asthma as a child.
Im worried about my ectopics. They are mostly asymptomatic, i only feel them 0-4 times a day. But even though i dont feel them, i still have a 1% PVC burden, and supraventricular ectopic beats are <1%. Irregular heart beat <1%.
Ive done 8 ecgs (one 12-lead), 1 halter monitor and the regular checkups (listening to heart etc). All normal, sinus rhythm without disturbance.
I have low resting heart rate, my recovery pulse is over 40 beats in 1 min after 70-80% capacity exercise, and my blood pressure is 125-130/68-78.
I would like to get an echo done to check if my heart is structually normal, but the doctors always say no, because they dont find a reason i should get one, and its waste of time and equipment.
I just want to feel reassured and get on with my life (severe health anxiety).

What is an allergy?

Allergies are a widespread health concern affecting millions of people worldwide. They occur when the immune system reacts abnormally to substances that are usually harmless, triggering a variety of symptoms. While allergies can range from mild to severe, understanding their symptoms and treatment options is crucial for managing and alleviating discomfort.
In this article, we will explore the “What is an allergy?”, what are the most common allergies, their symptoms, and various treatment options available.

Seasonal Allergies:

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are triggered by outdoor allergens such as pollen, grass, or mould spores. Symptoms typically include sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. To manage seasonal allergies, over-the-counter antihistamines, nasal sprays, and decongestants can provide relief. It’s also advisable to limit outdoor activities during high pollen counts and keep windows closed to minimise exposure.

Food Allergies:

Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts adversely to specific foods, most commonly peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, milk, soy, and wheat. Symptoms can vary from mild to life-threatening and may include skin rashes, itching, swelling, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. The primary treatment for food allergies is strict avoidance of the allergenic food. In cases of severe allergies, carrying epinephrine auto-injectors (such as EpiPens) is essential to counteract severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) until medical help arrives.

Allergic Asthma:

Allergic asthma is a respiratory condition triggered by allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mould spores, or pet dander. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty sleeping. Treatment options for allergic asthma include inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots). Managing triggers by keeping indoor environments clean, using dust mite covers, and minimising exposure to pets can also help control symptoms.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis:

Allergic contact dermatitis is a skin condition resulting from direct contact with an allergen, such as certain metals, latex, cosmetics, or fragrances. Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, and blistering of the affected area. Treatment involves identifying and avoiding the allergenic substance, using topical corticosteroids or antihistamines to relieve symptoms, and practising good skin hygiene.

Insect Sting Allergies:

Insect sting allergies occur when the body reacts abnormally to insect stings, such as those from bees, wasps, hornets, or fire ants. Symptoms can range from localised swelling and pain to severe allergic reactions, including hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or anaphylaxis. Treatment options for insect sting allergies include carrying epinephrine auto-injectors, seeking immediate medical attention in case of a severe reaction, and undergoing allergen immunotherapy to desensitise the immune response.

Conclusion:

Understanding the symptoms and treatment options for common allergies is essential for effectively managing and mitigating their impact on daily life. Whether it’s seasonal allergies, food allergies, allergic asthma, contact dermatitis, or insect sting allergies, a combination of avoidance strategies, medications, and allergen-specific therapies can help individuals live comfortably and reduce the risk of severe allergic reactions. If you suspect you have allergies, it is recommended to consult with a General Physician for proper diagnosis and personalised treatment recommendations.
Seek suggestions from your friends and family regarding the GP they consult. Any doctor friend or medical professional can also recommend a qualified and experienced GPs with particular specialisations.
On DocGenie we have qualified general physicians who can offer quality advice on healthcare packages. Book a GP appointment online today for advice on any health related queries and timely medical care without stepping out.
DocGenie is an online telemedicine platform that provides you with quality healthcare from the comfort of your own space. On DocGenie, you can book an online consultation with highly qualified doctors as well as book lab tests for home collection.
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Like many people, I (39/F) have newly developed some kind of pollen or dust allergy. I haven't been to the doctor yet, but I've only just come to the realize that it's allergies and not a string of bad colds (this has been going on about 6 weeks). I've now tried Claritin, Benadryl, and Zyrtec with no noticeable changes in symptoms (coughing, back aches, muscle aches, stuffed up nose, headache, etc...). I'm trying to look for some resource from a reliable authority about what the order of operations is. what OTC medicines should I try in what order? Which ones can be safely combined and which can't. etc etc. Any advice? Thank you!

18
Male
5ft 8in
135
White
Itchy red bumps all over my body
Allergies, I'm allergic to animals with fur, dust, pollen, ect.
For allergies I take Zyrtec and montelukast daily.
https://imgur.com/a/eAYPerA
I ( 18 M, 135lbs, 5ft 8in, non-smoker / non-drinker,) have been having these itchy red bumps all over my body for about a 2 weeks now. I haven't changed anything in my daily life that would cause this. Iv been taking Zyrtec every morning and before bed but it hasn't been helping much I the bumps generally arnt visible and don't itch, but once I scratch one the itchiness starts to spread all over my body.
Any idea on what this may be? My mom thinks it's hives.

Hi folks, really new here but I’m looking for help. I’m fed up with the way my eyes look just now. The skin underneath the eyes are so bad. They’re so dark and look so discoloured to the point people have asked me if I’ve been fighting. I’ve added an image too for reference.
https://imgur.com/a/hQW1Yl9
I suffer from allergies (pollen, dust, pet hair) however my eyes have never been this bad (also the pollen count is low today, when that image was taken). It’s been like this for a few months now but I’ve finally got to that point where I want to fix it.
I’m currently on prescription antihistamines for my allergies, so that partly makes me think it’s not an underlying issue, and something that can be resolved with skincare. I’ve been looking at eye creams, and I’ve seen a few suggestions for the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème. I currently use the Cerave Eye Repair cream but that doesn’t seem to be doing much.
My current routine is:
AM: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser No7 Total Renewal Exfoliator (twice a week) Cerave SPF50 Moisturiser
PM: Cerave Hydrating Cleanser Cerave PM Moisturiser Cerave Eye Repair Cream
I have had issues with blepharitis in the past too, so occasionally I wash the eyelids with a cotton pad and baby shampoo.
Please can someone help. I’m fed up with the way I look right now.

Hello all!
I have had dry eyes for about 5 months now. I have been to a dry eye specialist and have had some help in starting to get better with symptoms.
Starting in April, I seemed to have more redness and veins in my eyes. It was very bloodshot every morning and throughout the day despite never changing any routine or drops. It felt like I suddenly just undid all the progress I had made so far. My dry eye specialist told me it was most likely pollen allergens I was reacting to, with follicles in both my upper and lower eyelids. She told me to use OTC allergy drops for a month (the high pollen season is April-June). I went to a regular eye doctor that told me it was not pollen and that I had blepharitis (I don't). She did prescribe me Terrakortil (hydrocortisone with antibiotic), and after speaking to my dry eye specialist I was told to use it for a week to see if it did anything to improve the redness.
It did within two days already, my veins and redness subsided a lot to my "normal" base level before the allergies. I tapered off for 3 days (7 days on 2x a day, 3 days one time a day). Within two days my redness is creeping back and the veins are starting to appear. I feel discouraged and sad, I had hoped the steroid would actually keep the inflammation in check, this is the first time steroids had helped. I am trying to get in touch with my dry eye specialist again about this, but all we know is that for 2-3 months I had no follicles, not this severe redness, and tbut had improved so it isn't dryness related. It has to be something I am reacting to but the fact that my eyes look so bad and that it feels like I am regressing is really hard. I don't think it is rebound inflammation considering that I was on a low, short-term dose to begin with and tapered off too.
Does anyone have a similar experience with allergens (pollen?) and can tell me the horrible redness will go away once the pollen season is over? I am not allergic, but the specialist says the follicles might be there until I am not exposed to the allergen, and the combination with a lower immune system due to poor tear film is causing them to be there. It doesn't hurt but most what is causing irritation during sleep.

So we're planning to move in together with my girlfriend and she has a cat. I never really realized before meeting her but I have some kind of cat allergies that triggers asthma symptoms. (wheezing, coughing, tight chest) Our plan is to keep the cat in the living room and keep her outside of our bedroom and office. Is there any way to make it somehow possible for us to live together? I'm worried I will be miserable all the time because of the asthma and allergies.

So we're planning to move in together with my girlfriend and she has a cat. I never really realized before meeting her but I have some kind of cat allergies that triggers asthma symptoms. (wheezing, coughing, tight chest) Our plan is to keep the cat in the living room and keep her outside of our bedroom and office. Is there any way to make it somehow possible for us to live together? I'm worried I will be miserable all the time because of the asthma and allergies.

So we're planning to move in together with my girlfriend and she has a cat. I never really realized before meeting her but I have some kind of cat allergies that triggers asthma symptoms. (wheezing, coughing, tight chest) Our plan is to keep the cat in the living room and keep her outside of our bedroom and office. Is there any way to make it somehow possible for us to live together? Can air purifiers help with that? And if they can what type would be the best?

Me and my bf are moving in together soon and he has terrible allergies, to pollen, cats, and dust. even allergy pills don’t work half the time. He’s rotating different brand of pills to not build a tolerance and even taking two types a day sometimes along w the Flonase spray and allergy eye drops and when they don’t work he just lives in complete misery so it’s really important for us to get the best air purifiers for our home so he can improve his quality of life. I don’t know too much about air purifiers so I would appreciate any recommendations across all price ranges, we are both students so something crazy expensive probably wouldn’t work but we’re definitely willing to spend more if it means he can live and actually sleep in peace. Thank you!