Would I be allergic or sickly?

I have had a runny nose all day and have also been sneezing all day.
I have had a stuffy nose for a few days now- I can only breathe out of one nostril.
I also feel tired a whole lot.
I need to be productive
can I take allergy medication? like benedril or something else I may have?
Or could this be early signs of sickness? Nothing else is wrong so far...

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

All these symptoms are the signs of allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, predominantly in the nose and eyes, caused by airborne particles of dust, dander, or plant pollens in people who are allergic to these substances.

When a person with allergies breathes in an allergen such as pollen or dust, antibodies are produced. When the antibodies are stimulated by pollen and dust, histamine and other chemicals are released. This causes itching, swelling, and mucus production.

You can take OTC antihistaminics like benadryl or Claritin. Longer-acting antihistamines are available by prescription. They cause less drowsiness and can work just as well. These medications include fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).

You can also use nasal corticosteroid sprays like nasocort or flonase. Decongestants may also be helpful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion, but they should not be used for long periods. Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray (Nasalcrom) for treating hay fever. Eye drop versions of cromolyn sodium and antihistamines are available for itchy, bloodshot eyes.For stuffy nose,inhale plenty of steam daily to loosen the catarrh.

If the symptoms are intense then pls consult an ENT specialist as superimposed bacterial infection which needs antibiotics has to be ruled out.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how your child is doing or if you have any additional queries.