Sneezing Sufferer

Q:  I am an 80-year-old woman. For over a year I have been sneezing constantly, day and night. Due to this, my head ached, and my ears, eyes, nose, and jaw hurt. It became embarrassing to go out anywhere. My doctor prescribed a spray called Ocean and referred me to an ENT specialist. The specialist told me I had a hole in my left nasal passage and prescribed a spray called Fluconase (taken once a day). I'm still taking both sprays and the sneezing has let up, but I'm curious as to why I've had this condition for so long, and whether I will ever get rid of this entirely. Any suggestions?

A:  Frequent sneezing in the absence of a cold or sinus infection usually indicates an allergic reaction. Since your symptoms started in the dead of winter when nothing was blooming or growing, I would guess that you are allergic to something in your house. Dust mites, which are present in even the cleanest house, are probably the commonest cause. They are microscopic organisms that live on human skin cells after they are shed from the body, so of course the dust mites live on furniture, beds, rugs, etc.

Mold and dust in forced air heating systems are other likely culprits. To be surer about the source of your sneezing, you should see an allergist for testing. In the meantime, have you tried stopping the nose sprays to see what happens? The Ocean spray is simple "salt water, " and the Fluconase contains a steroid that suppresses allergies.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.