[voxel]

It happened to me before (visited NZ for 6 weeks - summer) and again my allergies have kicked in - a horrible constant runny nose.

For some reason I'm allergic to mould (doubt it now - new place is super clean) or dust mites (more likely) or some pollen here? I'm not sure... I should see a doctor, but what else could I be allergic to in NZ? It's mostly indoors, but I also feel it sometimes outdoor.

I've never had an allergic reaction to anything in the countries I lived in: Canada, US, UK - and I've also visited a dozen other countries without problems.

[KerryS]

Ditto - never had an allergic reaction to anything until I moved to NZ. Now, come Spring time I get very itchy eyes, runny nose and sneeze constantly, usually until early summertime. It is definitely a pollen induced allergy for me but my problem is I still don't know what pollen, so don't know what sort of trees/grasses/plants to avoid...

[nippa&pippa]

don't know if that any help, my sister who live in auckland had same problem, she usually fine in Uk but suffering badly in NZ, so she was given anti-histamine tablet to combat reactions.

[voxel]

Going to see a doctor tomorrow - I'm sure mine is something indoors (mould or mites).

I was walking outside a few minutes ago and my runny nose stopped. A minute after coming inside my nose restarted its gushing.

Is $60 a normal doctor's fee? On a Work Permit - not PR... maybe that makes a difference.

[sizzlingbadger]

Voxel, haven't got any pets by chance :D Had, up until recently, really swollen red itchy eyes. Thought it was just spring and lots of pollen about, turns out I'm allergic to the dogs. It's something that's developed over the last year because we've always had dogs in the family.

I know mould can set asthma off but not so sure about itchy eyes and runny nose. Would more than likely be dust mites.

Plus if it's a house you've recently moved into it may be worth getting all the carpets cleaned with a carpet cleaner. Removes just about everything then.

Depends where you go for the doctors fees, they vary where ever you go. If you're a casual patient, not signed up, then it will cost you more, not sure if you have to have PR but it would be worth asking if you can register with them as this will take your fee down.

Can recommend Loratadine over the counter pharmacy medicine, the cheapest on the market and has sorted most of my problems out :nice1

[voxel]

No pets. Never was allergic to anything in my life... there is carpet in my new place (but it's brand spanking new). What's weird is my office is hardwood, but I also am sniffling rather badly there. Can dust mites survive on hardwood too? Going to get a swiffer/mop/vacuum for the office ASAP.

[KerryS]

Going to see a doctor tomorrow - I'm sure mine is something indoors (mould or mites).

I was walking outside a few minutes ago and my runny nose stopped. A minute after coming inside my nose restarted its gushing.

Is $60 a normal doctor's fee? On a Work Permit - not PR... maybe that makes a difference.

Work permit/PR makes no difference. The doctors fee is determined by the surgery you visit. $60 is on the high side though. I think mine is $55, or $50 if you are a registered patient.
(I can't remember as I have health insurance to cover all my visits now.)

[Smiler]

Voxel

There's a chemical used in carpet production which can be the cause of allergies, also do you have air con in your office, that might be something else to take into consideration.

The hardwood is less likely to cause your runny nose but only if the cleaners are doing their job and the dust isn't rolling past like tumbleweed. :uhoh

[voxel]

Also do you have air con in your office, that might be something else to take into consideration.

The hardwood is less likely to cause your runny nose but only if the cleaners are doing their job and the dust isn't rolling past like tumbleweed. :uhoh

No AC, no chemicals in carpets, no cleaners either! The place is an old yoga studio turned high-tech. The lab results should be in this week and I am suspecting dust mites - airflow is pretty poor in all the buildings I'm in. I was warned there would be no "cure" - just prevention.

[MB]

My only contribution to this thread is an odd one, because I would put money on what I'm about to suggest probably not being the solution to the case in point! But I think it's worth saying anyway:

bear in mind that the stress of the move to NZ can have some strange effects. We have been discussing this on other threads recently. I think that allergy symptoms come comfortably under this umbrella.
I am sure that many new allergy 'victims' in NZ can find the cuplrits in the new range of pollens, mites, etc., to which they have suddenly been exposed.... but let's keep in mind that one thing common to all of us is that we are adapting to NZ and many of us are not operating at our peak.

General point to forumites:
I know what I am about to suggest is very over-simplistic and unreliable, but it might be worth waiting until you get a really good piece of news (such as clinching a sought-after job, getting a cash windfall or news of a family visit) and seeing if allergies suddenly clear for a while. Yes, psychology might see to it that you feel clearer anyway because of the good tidings, even if the cause of allergy is external, but it still might be worth keeping at the back of your mind.

[voxel]

.. bear in mind that the stress of the move to NZ can have some strange effects.

Well you are a projecting just a little bit - I'm a low-stress kinda of person and last time I was here in Jan 2005 I had full accomodation and all expenses paid for... (zero stress)... yet I was sneezing constantly.

The lab report just came back positive for house dust mites. In Canada/US/UK I never had much of a problem. I think it's the humidity in the homes and offices here that breed them. Flixonase is working wonders tho'...

[jess]

Sorry you have dust mite trouble voxel.

Oddly, I always had pollen allergies in the fall and spring in the US and have had no problem at all in NZ, knock wood (or 'touch wood', as they say here). So for some it can work the other way as well.

Hope you are able to create a less 'sneezey' environment now that you know the culprit.

[calixfornia]

Mold can set off any variety of reactions, from itchy eyes to runny nose to asthma. Dust mites can do this as well. As can absolutely any allergen. So it can be very difficult to isolate the trigger. But if a room with hardwood floors bothers you then chances are it is mold. Dust mites live in cushy places, but mold can live anywhere where conditions are ripe!
You can get a skin test at an allergist to find out with some amount of accuracy the common things you react to. Good luck!