Friday, May 11, 2018

My allergy appointment

After months and months of a horrible allergy season, I decided to go back and visit an allergy doctor. I had been over 10 years ago, but it was time to go back and see what else we could do to help my allergies.

I found an allergy doctor and yesterday was my appointment. The doctor and I talked for a while and then they did the allergy test where they tested 40 different things. I was only allergic to 2 things. Cats and dogs... However, I am hardly ever around those 2 allergies, so something had to give...

The doctor came in after reviewing some things on the microscope and gave me the news...

Since I am only allergic to 2 different things that I am hardly ever around, it was not the cause of all of my issues. He told me that he was diagnosing me with NARES syndrome. Nares stands for Non-Allergic Rhinitis with Eosinophils Syndrome.

Here is all the details I found about it:

"Non-Allergic" refers to the lack of hypersensitivity to a substance (in other words, skin testing is negative.) "Rhinitis" refers to inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes. "Eosinophils" are cells found in the nose of patients with NARES as well as with allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms include watery nasal discharge and sneezing in an "on again, off again" pattern. Some people experience nasal congestion. Itchy, watery eyes and itching of the nose and throat are also reported. They are usually year round with no seasonal pattern. Some people feel that abrupt weather changes, strong odor, smoke or other irritating substances aggravate symptoms.

The cause of NARES is unknown.

Basically I have been told to use Flonase for the rest of my life to help. Right now I am taking zyrtec and sudafed to help calm all the systems down and after that it will just be the Flonase for the rest of my life.

So, yeah. Not really what I was expecting, but leave it to my body to have something that is not very known. But at least we have some answers to all my crazy stuff going on and have a plan to help get me feeling better!!!

Here is to feeling better!


  1. Oh no! NARES doesn't sound fun at all. I have major sinus issues. I should be going to an allergist, but my other, more serious health problems always get priority. I hope your NARES doesn't get in the way of you having a fun, fulfilling life. Here's to your health!

  2. Thanks Erica. And let me tell you... now that I have figured it out and are using the flonase, my issues are gone completely. Definitely helped my life to where I don't struggle anymore with how I feel! Thanks for the comment!