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Mar 8, 2025

@alan279, same for me.  I used to be allergy proof except for the extreme stuff like bed bugs, mites, and things that only occur in extreme filth.  Nowadays, I don't know what will trigger this.  I have seen my dermatologist about new symptoms and I have done the allergy panel test - and on paper, nothing has changed.

In the end, my dermatologist has asked me try what is available at the drugstore.  And it worked.  Why do I need an opinion from a doctor when he just points me to the pharmacist?

In the US, allergy pills are really expensive and that's why I buy at Costco.  The pills that I use is called "Aller-Tec" which is a generic combination of Zyrtec and Allegra.

I also discovered that someone at home has also bought a nasal spray version - also from Costco - known as Aller-flo.

I take those pills once in a while and when I know I will go out.  Also when I develop symptoms, taking the pill provides relief a couple of hours later...

Why don't you ask what is available from your pharmacist?

Good luck and hope that this helps.

I take  Allegra 180mg and Anamys daily. It ain't working.

Just a guess, maybe as the building you’re living in gets older, it may have developed some hidden leaks somewhere where mold is growing. Mold can be an especially irritating allergen.

@alan279

Some allergies just develop later in life out of the blue with seemingly no cause. I know this from personal experience. My advice: stop worrying about how it came about and just experiment with various medications until you find one that works for you. I'm still experimenting! Good luck!

I take Allegra 180mg and Anamys daily. It ain't working. - @alan279

Mar 8, 2025

I tried Claritin before and it did not work.  That's why I tried Zyrtec - which worked but was very expensive.  That's when I started to look for generics of Zyrtec.

Would suggest asking your pharmacist for those antihistamines - and start with the strongest and rachet it down.  From what I see, going from the lowest strength only makes you more uncomfortable or appear not to work as allergies are just an overactive immune response.

Good luck....

03/08/25 @alan279.  If you're spending more time than usual on the beach these days and at different times of the day with your new trike, it could be sandflies.  Some insect repellant might help.

@alan279

Skin prick and blood tests for allergies are easily available in Brasil. You need to visit an allergy specialist (alergologista/alergista)

My anecdotal observation of seaside living is that the "fresh" maresia (sea spray) comes with cost. I used to spend a lot of time in Santos and learned that one does not store leather goods in a closet for long periods without suffering a plague of greenish mold. My brother-in-law lost numerous camera lenses to mold.

To be balanced, my interior city gets a lot of black mold on buildings where the rainwater fails to run off or dry rapidly but I don't get "closet mold" here probably because it is less humid.

I suspect that the winds (interior and seaside) carry a lot of spores and quite possibly one could be allergic to them.

My son used to react badly to arriving in Santos and we always assumed that the humid environment favored dust mites in the homes we visited. He always had his inhaler ready at hand.

This seems like a fair article on beach allergies:

I'm not a huge beach fan after trying out most of the Brazilian coast and my larger pet peeve is salt-mist corrosion. We have intermittent beach family (snow birds) that leave their more precious portable goods with us inland to minimize corrosion while they are away. They leave printers, computers, bicycles and would leave more items if they could get them here more easily. Our seaside places only get synthetic/wood chairs, aluminum or stainless steel building material.

Alan, try the article and then go find yourself an allergist. Not sure if the Ilhéus SUS has allergists but I see a number of private ones listed there. If it's causing big problems the only way forward is with the testing process.

I, fortunately, seem to have grown out of my previous sensitivity to airborne allergens (Wisconsin corn and pine tree pollens), but have become hypersensitive to most chemical concoctions (sunscreen, shampoo, perfumed detergents) and struggle to use only neutral natural products. UV protection is by way of protective clothing or simply stay in the shade. Preventing bugs is a hard one but all of our [common] sleeping places have very nice bug net bed coverings and we run diffusers (misters?) with citronella, lavender, geranium and other essential oils when bugs are present. Fans and changing out bright white lights helps too ("warm" lights are less attractive/confusing to bugs - and no lighting is even better). For crawly bugs we grind up cloves and cinnamon and sprinkle it around on the floor (or on pantry shelves around the foods some seek).

mberigan

03/09/25 I take Allegra 180mg and Anamys daily. It ain't working. - @alan279

Loratadine (Claritin) has always worked well for me to suppress a number of different allergic reactions.  I second @Pablo888's suggestion to talk options over with a pharmacist.

A prick test battery is a good idea, especially if you haven't had one in a while.  My last couple came back as inconclusive though:  I'm not sure whether it was because the reagents were too old, or because I am.

I’ve tried Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra 120, Allegra 180, and Zyrtec again. This week I’m taking Allegra 180 again, which seems to be the best of the bunch, but not very effective.

I guess I have to try an allergist.

Thanks!

One thing ive found - mold mold mold. In the NE this is an issue. mostly across all of brazil.

So depending on how old your building is - or your house , mold will be all through the walls due to varying construction methods.

Current house since I fixed - No more allergies unless it rains then you cant help the air from outside lol.

I live in a newer building. It's about ten years old. My apartment is on the third floor, facing the ocean. I haven't seen any mold in the six years I've lived here.

My nose grew unfond of mold. Was having super bad allergies at this house. Looked all new. the internal bricks however - pure black mold.

Just because you do not see it. does not mean its there.

If someone above or below had a leak at some point. porus stone is literally the worst for mold growth. Its why its not used in north america much in terms of grouts and concrete mixes.

mix in hot and moist weather conditions -

I know its a government canada website I just am unfamiliar with the US counterparts

I hope they review it soon. Because it gives images on what to notice for what kind of cleanups. 

Specifically when to hire a professional ( the route i went )

My nose grew unfond of mold. Was having super bad allergies at this house. Looked all new. the internal bricks however - pure black mold.

Just because you do not see it. does not mean its there.

Mar 18, 2025

How did you find out about mold inside the bricks?  Was there a small crack that gave it away or was this purely by accident that you were able to discover that?

Mold is nasty....

@Pablo888

By chance. Moved a table. hit the wall a tad hard. my nose turned to a faucet instantly. look in. POOF MOLD

not just a little. all the clay was covered in it. had to evacuate kiddos and dogs and stay somewhere for a few weeks while the walls got repaired / replaced

Since finding that out. Watching for where its present has been amazing. No more anti allergic.

Check the link I posted before - it has alot of good information on it.

Also - use acryllic paint in your house - prevents it.