For the last 4-5 weeks, I have out of the blue been suffering from symptoms that lead me to believe I have picked up some kind of winter seasonal allergy. Obviously just a guess at this point. I have never really been allergic to anything in my life - just a few foods that don't agree with me is about it. I turn 39 yo later this year.

Symptoms have revolved mostly around sneezing, runny nose and sinus congestion. These symptoms are usually more pronounced when I first wake up and right before bed. I read that allergies can often align with your circadian rhythm, so that checks out. Breathing at night has been probably the most frustrating symptom, with all the congestion forcing me to breath out of my mouth makes for a less sound night of sleep and has impacts to overall health longer term. When I am active, I seem to not have any symptoms at all, or at least very mild.

So, is this fairly normal to just all the sudden become allergic to something in my immediate surroundings later in life? We live on a couple of acres just south of Fort Worth, and I know this is cedar season, so I suppose that could be an option. Planning on setting up an appointment at an allergist we have used for our son, unless it just disappears soon.

Anyone have any remedies they use in their own battles against allergies with symptoms like this? Trying to stay away from most OTC drugs, especially long term, but may need to go ahead and get some temporary relief. Some of the supplements geared towards respiratory health haven't provided any help (Quercetin, Nettle) and the Saline and Xylitol Nasal Sprays have done very little. Interestingly, Beekeeper's Sinus Spray containing propolis puts me into an intense sneezing fit for 20 minutes, so that also has not provided any relief. Just started using a Neti Pot, and can't tell too much yet; I do tend to get very congested shortly after doing it so far.

Appreciate any thoughts, suggestions or other that anyone has to offer!

Yes, I have very similar situation to you. West of fort Worth, been here most of my life and didn't develop seasonal allergies until the past 8 or 10 years. I've found a nasal antihistamine solves 99% of my issues during my winter allergy season. I used to take Zyrtec or Allegra everyday, but once I found the nasal spray, I rarely need to take a systemic antihistamine anymore, and only need the nasal spray for a few months a year during my season.

Nasalcrom is the one I use, but there's a newer one that's easier to find, Astepro.

I specifically don't get a corticosteroid because I don't want to take them long term and don't really need it since the antihistamine works so well for me.

Yes, around 40 I started getting seasonal winter allergies, really irritating Feb & March.

I also have developed food allergies over the last year and had testing done to avoid those foods.

Never battled allergies of any type until around 40. Sigh.

Yes, around 40 I started getting seasonal winter allergies, really irritating Feb & March.

I also have developed food allergies over the last year and had testing done to avoid those foods.

Never battled allergies of any type until around 40. Sigh.

Had seasonal allergies most of my life, except the 7 years I left texas.

But I did develop a random food allergy (asparagus) in my early 30s.

Things that have helped the allergy/congestion-prone of our household:

- weekly sheet changes
- wash comforter frequently, too
- shower off after being outside, especially before bed
- air purifier in the room
- regular vacuuming
- limit dust catchers in bedroom (piles of stuff, especially books/papers)
- neti pot a.m. and p.m.
- when really congested, an Advil at bedtime
- honey-lemon-ginger tea a couple of times per day
- nose strip like Breathe-right

Welcome to the club.

I noticed yesterday winds were straight outta the south here in DFW. Means all that cedar south of here, along with everything else that never died because we never had a hard freeze, is blowing in full throttle. I'm currently living off of Claritin and Mucinex.

Thanks for all the feedback! Looking into a few of the solutions listed so far.

One other thing I have noticed is that being outdoors, I typically clear up. Not sure if that is a function of just being up and moving or actually being outside. But 100% the worst times are near bedtime when on the couch or laying in bed. Almost completely blocked up.

And allergy to asparagus...that's a weird one!

Got dogs/cats in the house?
Were you allergic to them as a kid?

I did a full course of shots as a kid for allergies to grass, weeds, dogs, and cats. Started having major troubles again right during COVID which was fun, I thought I had it all the time. Finally tested for allergies again and guess what? Grass, weeds, dogs, cats. They said after 40 years sometimes the shots lose effect. So I'm on shots again.

I have a freaking Catahoula. You could make a Navajo rug every day with what she sheds. If you feel worse in the house - this is a strong possibility.

We don't own any pets, and the wife keeps the home very clean (weekly dusting, sheet changes, several vacuums per week from the irobot, etc). Have a couple of Air Doctors running in the bedrooms as well. Was never allergic to anything as a kid.

Seasonal stuff usually hits around age 30, so you don't seem too different. I started shots at 35, which mostly helped me immediately.

Do pay attention to any severe random stuff. It can be a sign that your immune system is dealing with something else.

Same store here. Born and raised in San Antonio and still live there today. Never had seasonal allergies until my mid 30s. This year has been the worst so I think there is something to this just being a really bad season for them.

Found this thread in my air purifier search. I, too, have lived in Texas all my life. I am 36 and around 30 I started getting sinus infections and that would worsen into bronchitis/upper respiratory infections often (2x a year). The past year, I have had bronchitis 4x, most recently in January.

I was a soccer player growing up, so I was always outside...but the only correlation I can see in the past 6 years is I have been running outside more, training for half marathons. I just bought an air purifier and taking Zyrtec-D every day. I guess now my only option is visiting an allergist. Like previous posters, I keep up with our house cleanliness and we don't own any pets. We need new carpet upstairs and I am highly considering LVP so there's no carpet anywhere. The minute I start to cough my husband says, "Well you'll be sick for a month" and phlegm immediately settles into my chest. I go to the urgent care and tell them the only thing that rids it is a z-pack...steroids, etc nothing else works.

Yes.

A Navage is a game changer.

I usually suffer for just a week or two when mold and pollen get out of control. My doc said that I could use both an allergy pill and nasal spray since they work on different parts of the system. That was also a game changer.