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Question: Dear Doctor,
I stopped smoking nearly 5 years ago and it seems that now i am suffering from Allergies. during the past month i have been sneezing with sometimes a sore throat and not wearing my lenses becuase my optician told me that the allergy is effecting my eyes also. could you give me more info re this and is this normal?
I stopped smoking nearly 5 years ago and it seems that now i am suffering from Allergies. during the past month i have been sneezing with sometimes a sore throat and not wearing my lenses becuase my optician told me that the allergy is effecting my eyes also. could you give me more info re this and is this normal?
Brief Answer:
allergies are common
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The new allergy symptoms are not likely linked to the smoking cessation since that was a long time ago.
Allergies are common and can be related to food, drink, medication, animal dander, dust, pollen, scents, any chemical (soaps, lotions, detergents etc)
Allergy testing would be the best way to figure out what is causing your reaction.
Allergies can affect the eyes, skin, respiratory tract (sneezing, runny nose, coughing , post nasal drip), gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).
Allergy testing can be in the form of blood tests or skin prick testing. The blood tests can be done or ordered by your GP and sent to a lab but the skin prick testing would need to be done by a dermatologist or allergist.
Once the allergen or allergens are identified then you can avoid exposure.
If allergy testing is not possible at this time then you may need to consider a diary for at least 2 weeks.
In this diary , you would need to note all the food, drink , meds and other possible allergens that you think you come into contact with to see if there is a pattern.
The use of allergy meds would help reduce your symptoms- antihistamines are most common eg zyrtec, claritine, benadryl, allegra
If the anti histamine is not enough, other meds such as ketotifen or singulair would need to be added.
There are also allergy drops for the eyes eg pataday that can be used long term to help with allergy eye symptoms.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
allergies are common
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
The new allergy symptoms are not likely linked to the smoking cessation since that was a long time ago.
Allergies are common and can be related to food, drink, medication, animal dander, dust, pollen, scents, any chemical (soaps, lotions, detergents etc)
Allergy testing would be the best way to figure out what is causing your reaction.
Allergies can affect the eyes, skin, respiratory tract (sneezing, runny nose, coughing , post nasal drip), gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines).
Allergy testing can be in the form of blood tests or skin prick testing. The blood tests can be done or ordered by your GP and sent to a lab but the skin prick testing would need to be done by a dermatologist or allergist.
Once the allergen or allergens are identified then you can avoid exposure.
If allergy testing is not possible at this time then you may need to consider a diary for at least 2 weeks.
In this diary , you would need to note all the food, drink , meds and other possible allergens that you think you come into contact with to see if there is a pattern.
The use of allergy meds would help reduce your symptoms- antihistamines are most common eg zyrtec, claritine, benadryl, allegra
If the anti histamine is not enough, other meds such as ketotifen or singulair would need to be added.
There are also allergy drops for the eyes eg pataday that can be used long term to help with allergy eye symptoms.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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