AboutKathleen MacNaughton Expertise As a registered nurse and health educator, as well as a person living with nasal allergies, eczema, allergic asthma, and eye allergies, I can answer questions related to allergy symptoms, triggers, diagnosis, and treatment.
Experience I have lived with severe nasal, eye, and skin allergies all of my life. I also have allergic asthma. In addition, I have been an RN for more than 30 years and have spent the last 10 years as a consumer health educator, both offline and online, specializing in the areas of allergies and asthma.
Publications About.com (asthma), HealthCentral.com (asthma and allergy networks), RhinocortAqua.com, EverydayKidz.com
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Syracuse University.
Question Hi and thank you in advance. I am 35yF. I had no allergie problems until I moved to Miami Fl in 1995. SInce then it has been miserable. THe only temporary relief I obtained (not full erlief) was about a year taking a shot from an allergist. I also recieved some good but not full relief about 6 years ago on a guifenison and ? mix in tablet form but it is no longer available which is why i havent had it for the 6 years. I haev a stuffy nose, with...oooh...boogers..:)...EVERYDAY...HEADACHE, PAIN CONGESTION IN MY SINUS...EVERYDAY... I cannot stand it. I feel like screaming from frustation. I do not need glasses, i have no food allgeries. Been checked for those. I cannot smell perfume and therefore i dont wear it. Noone at work or home wears it around me. I cannot use ANYTHING that smells good for myself or the home. I have tried every thing over the counter. Daily (which I am concerned about becasue of my kidneys) I take a combo of 3 tylenol sinus (sever I think) green,red & grey tablet; 1 excedrin migrane usually to kick start the pain & stuffy relief. then as the day goes I add two or three more tylenol or psudophed or whatever sinus things laying around and deal with the remaining congestion. I also use in the shower a.m. a natural sinus rinse and a nasal saline spray throught the day. Nothing brings complete relief. As a side note, my ears pop ALL DAY and night at meals, sitting, etc. PLEASE HELP with suggestions. I am going to try natural herbs...ideas. It is chronic. Thank you
Answer Stacy,
All of the remedies you speak of are over the counter, so I'm wondering if you are currently being treated by an allergy specialist or an ENT specialist. Miami can be a challenging place to live with allergies because of the year-round growing season and high humidity. But you should be able to get your symptoms under control.
There are many new treatments that might offer relief. A doctor is the best person to help you determine which might be the right choice for you. I am concerned about the number of OTC pain relievers you are taking and I suspect they are not even really helping at this point.
Please get some professional consultation for your sinus problems. And you might also consider a holistic practitioner as well, as there are some alternative treatments that might help. But it will be better if you have someone to guide you, rather than just taking a so-called stab in the dark with herbs.
