What is the best relief for itchy watery allergy eyes?

Allergy vs. common cold vs. sinus infection?

• Hi guys - just looking for a little medical advice here. I'm most likely going to make an appointment with my doctor soon, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone who has experienced these things before can give me a bit of a heads-up. Basically, about 2 weeks ago, my eyes started itching like crazy. They weren't red, sore, or excessively watery (although they would tear up a bit more than normal). It was driving me insane, and I finally bought some OTC eyedrops which would really help to temporarily alleviate the itch. Now, for the past 5 days, I've noticed that my eyes seem to have stopped itching almost completely even without the use of eyedrops. They will occasionally bother me for a few seconds, but the experience is nowhere near as intense as when the symptoms first started flaring up. What concerns me though is that I am now suffering from semi-severe nasal congestion. When I first wake up in the morning, I can hardly breathe out of my nose at all. For the past few days, I've been sneezing very frequently as well. My mucus is a very pale yellow-ish green (not completely clear as many allergy sufferers tend to experience, nor thick and deeper green as is common with colds). Also, I seem to have lost my sense of smell. About 15 minutes before posting this question, I took a huge, long whiff of a bottle of very strong, Chinese cinnamon and couldn't smell a thing. I understand that this is common with both allergic rhinitis and cold/sinus infection symptoms. When I first started experiencing the nasal congestion, I automatically blamed seasonal allergies (even though I've never experienced them this strongly before - though I'm only 24). However, I'm concerned that allergies may not be to blame since my eyes no longer seem to irritate me and because many allergy sufferers I know say that their symptoms tend to come and go throughout the day often relieving themselves completely at night. I am writing this message at midnight, and my right nostril is entirely clogged and cannot be alleviated by blowing at all. For the past few days, I've been very stuffy and sneezy all day long (even on rainy and/or windless days when allergens tend to be much lower). However, apart from a light headache (which I think would be almost obligatory with the level of nasal congestion I seem to be experiencing), I don't seem to have the facial pain or the thick, green mucus that often complements a sinus infection. Also, I have tried taking a few OTC nasal decongestants (primarily Pseudoephedrine/Sudafed) and they only seem to provide mild, brief relief. Although, as a pharmacy student, I am aware that excessive use of nasal decongestants can also be the cause of anosmia (loss of smell), so I'm really just unsure here. I apologize for the lengthy question, but I figured I would add as much detail as possible in case any medical professionals or highly experienced respiratory sufferers are kind enough to offer some advice. Thank you very much in advance!

• Answer:

  I think this sounds like allergies and I would treat for allergies first. You are not describing symptoms of an infection and I don't think you need to see the Dr. unless you want to take off work and pay money for what you can get yourself over the counter. I would get some sudaphed and a good 24hr antihistamine like zyrtec. Take both (but don't take sudaphed at night. It will keep you awake) for at least one week and see if you don't improve. Also, try getting a sudaphed based nose spray to try which should help also.