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What Causes Constant Sneezing?
Question: Hello Dr,
I sneeze a lot. Sometimes 10 times in a row and it is triggered by dust, perfumes and fragrances (which I love so much), the smell of spices etc. Almost everything makes me sneeze. Also, my chest gets very congested through the night because i sleep with either the air conditioner or fan on. I live in Doha, Qatar and the weather can get unbearably hot. Also, the Air conditioning in my office is so cold sometimes that I sneeze a lot and my nose is almost constantly running. I wear layers of clothing to protect myself from the cold and drink lots of hot tea and tepid water. The congestion, sneezing and runny nose is getting too much and I need advise on what to do. I've tried antihistamines but the relief is very temporary. What else can I do?
I sneeze a lot. Sometimes 10 times in a row and it is triggered by dust, perfumes and fragrances (which I love so much), the smell of spices etc. Almost everything makes me sneeze. Also, my chest gets very congested through the night because i sleep with either the air conditioner or fan on. I live in Doha, Qatar and the weather can get unbearably hot. Also, the Air conditioning in my office is so cold sometimes that I sneeze a lot and my nose is almost constantly running. I wear layers of clothing to protect myself from the cold and drink lots of hot tea and tepid water. The congestion, sneezing and runny nose is getting too much and I need advise on what to do. I've tried antihistamines but the relief is very temporary. What else can I do?
Brief Answer:
Some suggestions...
Detailed Answer:
I can relate to your question as both a physician and patient as I have allergies and sensitivities too.
I have some suggestions to get you started, but I also think you need to see an allergist because of the chest congestion. This will likely require prescription medications such as inhalers that are bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory (or a combination inhaler).
About the air conditioner affecting the chest congestion, is it possible that you are allergic to molds? The coils of air conditioners can be cleaned with quarter strength bleach to lessen the amount of mold spores. You might be able to do this at home but of course not at work. At home, it might be best for someone else to do this for you as bleach is a nasal irritant.
You mentioned that antihistamines help but are very temporary. I do not know which antihistamines you have tried. Various antihistamines have different durations of action. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a 24 hour antihistamine, but for severe symptoms can be taken twice a day. Antihistamines can help runny, itchy, sneezy noses but do not help with the congestion.
For congestion (and overall stabilization of some of your nasal symptoms), try a corticosteroid nasal spray such as fluticasone. This is sold without prescription in the US but I don't know about regulations in Qatar. This type of nasal spray may take a week to really kick in. It needs to be used every day to prevent symptoms rather than to quickly stop a sneezing spell. It is usually used 1x/day but in some patients twice a day. Follow the directions for aiming towards your ears and do not sniff it in hard or it just ends up in your stomach.
Some of your symptoms, such as the nasal symptoms to cold environments, can be vasomotor rhinitis. While corticosteroids can help for allergic (dust), irritant (fragrances) and even vasomotor (cold/heat) rhinitis, for immediate help with the symptoms to the cold you can try Cromolyn Sodium nasal spray (NasalCrom). This can be very helpful. It is sold without prescription in the US.
Another nasal symptom reliever are the antihistamine nasal sprays. Some people find them helpful, others don't.
I hope this information helps!
Some suggestions...
Detailed Answer:
I can relate to your question as both a physician and patient as I have allergies and sensitivities too.
I have some suggestions to get you started, but I also think you need to see an allergist because of the chest congestion. This will likely require prescription medications such as inhalers that are bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory (or a combination inhaler).
About the air conditioner affecting the chest congestion, is it possible that you are allergic to molds? The coils of air conditioners can be cleaned with quarter strength bleach to lessen the amount of mold spores. You might be able to do this at home but of course not at work. At home, it might be best for someone else to do this for you as bleach is a nasal irritant.
You mentioned that antihistamines help but are very temporary. I do not know which antihistamines you have tried. Various antihistamines have different durations of action. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is a 24 hour antihistamine, but for severe symptoms can be taken twice a day. Antihistamines can help runny, itchy, sneezy noses but do not help with the congestion.
For congestion (and overall stabilization of some of your nasal symptoms), try a corticosteroid nasal spray such as fluticasone. This is sold without prescription in the US but I don't know about regulations in Qatar. This type of nasal spray may take a week to really kick in. It needs to be used every day to prevent symptoms rather than to quickly stop a sneezing spell. It is usually used 1x/day but in some patients twice a day. Follow the directions for aiming towards your ears and do not sniff it in hard or it just ends up in your stomach.
Some of your symptoms, such as the nasal symptoms to cold environments, can be vasomotor rhinitis. While corticosteroids can help for allergic (dust), irritant (fragrances) and even vasomotor (cold/heat) rhinitis, for immediate help with the symptoms to the cold you can try Cromolyn Sodium nasal spray (NasalCrom). This can be very helpful. It is sold without prescription in the US.
Another nasal symptom reliever are the antihistamine nasal sprays. Some people find them helpful, others don't.
I hope this information helps!
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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