STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

shopaholic · Dooney & Bourke

allergies anyone?

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I'm suffering here in Texas too. I can't find a stupid allergy pill that won't keep me up all night though so I am just suffering without drugs. Claritin has never worked and Zyrtec works but keeps me up all day and night!!

Now for the itching. I can't think of what its called but there was that pinky liquid my mom use to put on me for poison ivy. Maybe you could use that while at home (that might be what you are using already so please forgive)? Benadryl itch spray use to be good also. It was clear. I'm not sure if they make it anymore though. Maybe just take some benadryl during the day when you are itching instead of claritin?

cc · Marc Jacobs

I'm in NYC too and my allergies are horrendous. I kind of want to curl up and die.
Mine have definitely been getting worse over the past few years and a few months ago my doctor put my on Singulair and Advair. It helped a bit - I get this horrible thing where the inside of my ears and throat feel really itchy when I have a really bad allergy attack and a few months ago that become an almost constant symptom but went away when I started using the Singulair. But I still felt horrible and so I started seeing an allergist. I used to get shots when I was younger and I think I need to start again. The allergist gave me prescriptions for 3 things in addition to Singulair and Advair - a nose spray, another inhaler, and special eye drops - but he just added Clarinex as well because I'm still having constant sinus headaches, my nose is always clogged, and I have a permanently scratchy throat. So I need to continue using all these things for a month and then if they don't help I need to start getting shots.

I don't have any good suggestions for your itchy skin but if it makes you feel any better I am having a really bad time too.

luckyclover · Dooney & Bourke

My allergies seem to be worse this year too. I take Allegra D and it seems to work well without keeping me up at night. I was taking the 12 hour (one a day- 2 on bad days) but my doctor gave me the 24 hour this last time. This seems wierd but I think the 12 hour one worked better.

I was just reading earlier today about different remedies for things. Supposedly a good allergy remedy is supposed to be the herb "stinging nettle".

blubirde · Chanel

Oh man, this topic was made for me. I never had allergies growing up and then bam!, I moved to Austin (also right up there on the worst allergies cities list) and started getting chronic bronchitis from allergies.

My doctors put me on all this medicine, asthma inhalers, pills, etc., and nothing seemed to work. I finally started taking a nasal spray once a day (I'm taking nasacort aq now) and I haven't had bronchitis in years.

My symptoms were itchy eyes (the worst! people always asked me if I had pinkeye), nonstop sneezing (one of my girlfriends told me if you sneeze 17 times in a row, you'll have an orgasm; i'm here to tell you it's NOT true), wheezy coughing, trouble breathing, and occasionally itching around my face.

You have to take the nasal spray for about a week or so before it takes effect. It's not the kind of thing you can take just when your allergies are bothering you. It builds up before it starts working 100%. When you spray the spray, you spray it forward, into the fleshy/bulb part of your nose, not upwards towards your sinus cavities. It only has a .02% absorption rate and your nose doesn't become addicted to it, like an Afrin (nasal spray used for congestion - loved by old men the world over) or something.

I don't know how but the nasal spray stopped my itchy eyes, stopped my wheezing, and especially stopped my bronchitis. I guess my nose was where all the allergens were getting in, thus spreading to the the rest of my body. I start sneezing a bit when I'm towards the bottom of one of my bottles of spray, so I know it's time to refill.

My allergies are so bad that if I get a cold, I have to use something like Afrin to open up my nose long enough to spray my allergy medicine, otherwise I end up in the doctor's office. Just an fyi but no pill (and I've tried them all) has ever worked one bit on my allergies. I'm always surprised to hear they work for anyone.

Good luck!

cc · Marc Jacobs

blubirde - the nasal spray I'm on right now is nasacort and I can't really tell if it's doing anything since I'm on so many other medications simultaneously. I've been on it for 2-3 weeks. I hope it kicks in soon. I have to fill my Clarinex prescription too. I'm crossing my fingers that it doesn't give me the same side effects that Claritin does because Claritin makes me feel sooo weird and spacey and my nose and cheeks feel weird and dried out and tingly. I think when I get back from vacation I'm going to push my doctor to let me try the shots again because I cannot deal with taking all these different things, plus I think it would be a lot cheaper to get the shots. I haaaaate this

Alikat · Kate Spade

I have bad allergies too... a lot of people get them really bad where I'm from (Sacramento, CA).

I've spoken with a nurse about the itchy skin - and they just suggested washing my hands a lot and taking a shower at night. It seems to help a bit.

I take the Target version of Claritin every morning, the non-drowsy one. It helps, though I still sneeze and get a itchy mouth and eyes occasionally.

lilyann · Dooney & Bourke

alikat wrote-

I have bad allergies too... a lot of people get them really bad where I'm from (Sacramento, CA).

Im in a Sacramento also- and yes, its been bad. But, I have had allergies all my life- so its old hat for me. My allergies are the worst in the fall- winter mo. because am very allergic to molds. But, I have had sinus headaches, itchy ears, hives and rashes. One of the worse triggers for me are cottonwood trees- get me every time and they are sending their pollen out far and wide right now. I am most relieved by plain old benedryl- have used alot of the dr prescribed stuff- and find this works better for me. Also need to use my inhaler occassionally, mostly in the fall. Keep trying different things, you will find the remedies that work best for you.

blubirde · Chanel

cc wrote:

blubirde - the nasal spray I'm on right now is nasacort and I can't really tell if it's doing anything since I'm on so many other medications simultaneously. I've been on it for 2-3 weeks. I hope it kicks in soon. I have to fill my Clarinex prescription too. I'm crossing my fingers that it doesn't give me the same side effects that Claritin does because Claritin makes me feel sooo weird and spacey and my nose and cheeks feel weird and dried out and tingly. I think when I get back from vacation I'm going to push my doctor to let me try the shots again because I cannot deal with taking all these different things, plus I think it would be a lot cheaper to get the shots. I haaaaate this

My boyfriend has all kinds of allergies and his were really bad around Jan/Feb. He started getting shots also and his have drastically improved. If you aren't getting better, I'd definitely attempt that route. Just a fyi but he has to take meds (nasal spray and pill) and the shots. But if it works, right?

You might try backing off one thing at a time to see if it's doing any good. Like stop taking whatever pill you're on for a couple of days to see if you stay the same/get better/get worse/etc. Ugh - but if it got worse! I'm so sorry for you!!

cc · Marc Jacobs

blubirde wrote:

cc wrote:
My boyfriend has all kinds of allergies and his were really bad around Jan/Feb. He started getting shots also and his have drastically improved. If you aren't getting better, I'd definitely attempt that route. Just a fyi but he has to take meds (nasal spray and pill) and the shots. But if it works, right?
You might try backing off one thing at a time to see if it's doing any good. Like stop taking whatever pill you're on for a couple of days to see if you stay the same/get better/get worse/etc. Ugh - but if it got worse! I'm so sorry for you!!

Yeah I'm pretty sure I'm going to start getting shots. My allergist actually mainly seems concerned with my breathing because it's apparently not good at all - though I didn't feel like I was having any trouble with my asthma when they did the breathing tests but maybe that's because I'm just so used to it that it seems normal. He said he's not concerned about my permanently clogged nose in terms of "quality of life issues" but wants to try the shots to see if my breathing improves. Of course I'm concerned about my nose and all these other 'little' symptoms! But I'm sure not breathing well is making me feel really crappy too. Anyway, part of the reason I want the shots again is because at least I can still take meds on top of them, like your bf does and like I did when I was younger.

The worst thing about this is that I have more winter allergies and apparently I'm not really allergic to tree pollen, which is what is so bad right now!

And if this post doesn't make any sense it is because I am totally wacked out on Clarinex. I'm giving this a few more days and then I'm going to stop taking it because I feel like my head is floating a few inches above my body when I'm on it.

montmarte · Kenneth Cole

Shopaholic, a few things that can help dry/irritated skin:

-Say goodbye to hot showers since they can dry your skin out. Soaps can also be very drying. After you take your shower, pat your skin dry lightly with a towel, and immediately apply some lotion. (wet skin absorbs better than when it's dry).

-Aveeno Lotion is great for itchy/irritated skin since it contains oatmeal. If your skin is super dry, try Aquaphor. It's disgustingly thick, but it works. Try Aquaphor at night and then use Aveeno in the morning/day.

There are several options for treating allergies...but talk to your allergist. Benadryl works but can make you sleepy. Other meds like Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec are not likely to have that effect. Finding the right med is a game of hit-and-miss. Anyhow, I hope you feel better soon!!!

poptart · Coach

I sympathize with you girls! My allergies are fine in the summer, but I know how miserable it is to be dealing with allergies - Yuck! Hopefully the weather will get better for you guys and you'll feel better.

janey831 · Kate Spade

You can try some kind of herbal remedy. My old college roomie's bf gave her this Chinese herbal tea that you took for 5 days straight and then supposedly your allergies are supposed to be greatly alleviated for the season. She swore it worked!

subwolley · Kate Spade

I live in New Mexico and have HORRIBLE allergies. I get the itchy ears and throat, which drives me completely INSANE. I also get really itchy, watery, burning eyes and horrible sneezing fits. I've been on a Flonase and Zyrtec for a long time. It's funny, because if I only take one or the other they don't work, but if I take both, I'm fine. I also have prescription eyedrops. I don't remember what they're called, they start with a P. They work really well with the itching. My doctor said that most people just get overwhelmed by allergies and need a combination of medication. I've heard the allergy shot is dangerous. Is this true?? I'd love to get the shot instead of taking medication.

montmarte · Kenneth Cole

Subwolley-- Allergy shots are the last resort if nothing else has worked or if the side effects are driving you nuts. They're pretty safe, but there is the rare chance of developing an allergic reaction to the shot (hives, difficulty breathing) since it contains the substance that you're allergic to. This is why the allergist will have you wait in his office for 30 minutes following the shot, and if an allergic reaction occurs, he'll be able to take care of it right then and there.

Hermes

I hate going to the doctor, so all of my remedies are over the counter (although I should probably be taking something stronger because what I'm doing just barely keeps my symptoms at bay).

I use Opcon A eyedrops (they work really well), Claritin ready tabs (dissolve on you tongue), and 1% hydrocortizone cream on my face morning & night (I get rashes around the lower part of my face and around my eyes of all places).

Aurora - the poison ivy cream you're thinking of is calamine lotion.

atlgirl · Gucci

I grew up in Arizona, and never had any allergies until I was about 17. Then I remember pretty much having a constant runny nose, stuffy head, etc. in school. I'd seriously sit in class writing notes with one hand, while the other held a tissue to my runny nose, nonstop.

In my early twenties, I got shots. When I was tested, the results indicated that I am allergic to weeds, molds, pollens, grasses, and animal dander. Geez, anything else?! Shots helped a bit, but due to changing medical plans (the co. I worked for changed med. plans every year, so I always had to get re-tested and then start from scratch with the shots...so eventually I just got tired of that and stopped going).

As I've grown older (I'm 38 now), my allergies are better - less constant - but when I get an attack, it's like having a really bad case of the flu. I think the horrible sinus pressure is the worst. My head feels like it will explode and I get a fever and chills, plus the constant sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat. Bleh.

In 2002 I moved to Atlanta, GA. My allergies (surprisingly) have settled down some here, but I seem to be prone to sinus infections. And I work a lot of outdoor festivals, especially in the spring...not good for someone who's severely allergic!

Here's what I'm using right now:

- Allegra D. We went through hoops with my ins. co to get it approved for me, and I think it works *okay* but not the fabulous results for which I'd hoped.

- OTC Tylenol Sinus Severe Congestion. Green tablets. I find that these actually *usually* work better than the Allegra, but I won't take them after 4 p.m. because they keep me up at night. I haven't tried it yet, but the Target generic of this looks to have the exact same ingredients...

- Flonase nasal spray. I *just* started using this - a few days ago, during a particularly bad attack, and I was surprised at how quickly it relieved the congestion in my head. I was trying to sleep and lying down only makes that sinus pressure worse...but the Flonase really helped. I HATE nasal sprays but I've taken it twice since then, because I'm tired of being beaten into submission by my allergies. My Dr. told me nasal sprays are better - and often faster acting - because the medication doesn't have to go through the whole body like taking a pill does. I might just be converted...

Anyway, hope some (or any) of that's helpful. My sympathies to you fellow suffereres. :(