<human>: I WAS SKIN TESTED FOR ALLERGIES IN JAN 2014. I AM ALLERGIC TO DUST, DUST MITES,CATS,RAG WEED,GRASSES. I CLEANED THE HOUSE VERY WEEL, SPRAYED FOR DUST MITES. I WAS GOING FOR ALLERGY SHOTS BUT CAN NOT AFFORD TO GO ANYMORE AS I HAVE NO HEALTH COVERAGE AND AM SELF PAY, IT WAS COSTING ME $180.00 A MONTH FOR SHOTS 2X A WEEK. ANY ADVICE TO ALLEVATE THE SYSMTOMS OF VERY STUFFY NOSE, ITCHY EYES AND SNEEZING. I USE AFRIN BUT THAT ONLY HELPS FOR A FEW HOURS. I LIVE IN NORTH EAST OHIO, FEMALE 53YRS OLD. GOOD HEALH.
<bot>: Hello, Thank you for asking at Chat Doctor. I went through your history and would like to make suggestions for you as follows:1. I can understand that you can not afford allergy shots at present. So I would suggest you intranasal corticosteroid spray (methadone or fluticasone) for at least 14 days as at present your symptoms are severe.2. I would also suggest you to take regular montelukast and levocetirizine for longer periods such as 3 to 6 months. You may need them to take lifelong if allergy continues to be a problem.3. As you are allergic to dust, dust mites, cats, rag weed and grasses, I would suggest you as follows for allergen avoidance:a. Remove carpets and curtains from your home, especially bedrooms (for dust mite).b. Wash your mattress covers, pillow covers, bedsheets, etc. in hot water (around 55 C) every week (for dust mite).c. Prefer cleaning with vacuum or wet mopping over Chat Doctor. d. Avoid humidity inside home, if possible, please allow sunlight and ensure good ventilation to reduce humidity inside rooms and to washout allergens (for dust mite).e. Please do not have a cat inside home (for cat).f. For ragweed and grasses, if their pollination seasons are known, please avoid moving into high pollination areas during those particular seasons and cover your nose with mask if going outside.4. In general, I would also suggest you to avoid exposure to dusts, smokes and air pollution as much as possible.5. If you have nose obstruction, I would suggest you simple measures like steam inhalation and nose irrigation with saline which may help. Hope above suggestions will be helpful to you. Should you have any further query, please feel free to ask at Chat Doctor. Wish you the best of the health ahead. Thank you & Regards.