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What Causes Itchy Eyes And Nose?

Posted on Sat, 23 Sep 2017

Question: We have an apartment in NYC that we use as a pied e terre, for the past year and a half. We use it for convenience every week for 3 or 4 days to be near where my wife gets her chemo. Recently, I started smelling a musty odor in my bathroom so I bought a chemical deodorizer. It has been in the bathroom for three weeks now and the top of the deodorizing substance is black. It looks like a black mold. In addition I have been experiencing a raspy throat and I feel itchy around my eyes and nose. The bathroom has no windows. There is only a small vent near the ceiling in the corner of the bathroom. There are heating and cooling u units in each room. All the windows remain closed. Tha air conditioner is on 24/7. How I determine if any, what I believe is a black mold and my symptoms? Is there a health issue here that needs to be addressed? How and where can the container be rested?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare magic and thanks for putting up the query
Please send me the pictures of your throat.
You might be allergic to something possibly the spray causing itching.
use a mask and glove while using spray.
Excessive moisture can cause black moulds. Clean the nozzle of the spray after and before every use and keep it in a dry place.

Use hexidine gargles and take tablet levocetrizine once daily for allergic symptoms.
All the medicines I have prescribed will be available at prescription only.
Follow up with the required information so that I can suggest you better.
Take care
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (32 hours later)

Dr. Prianka, thank you for your response.
However, I am Not using any sprays so I do not know what you were referring when you refer to a "spray".
The black mold I referred to is in a deodorizer container that consists of crystals, that has been in use for three weeks and has accumulated about one inch of moisture at the bottom of the container. The unit is scheduled to be replaced in two weeks! I don't see any evidence of mold anywhere in the apartment. The exaust vent were all in good working condition.
I prefer to find the source of the irritation rather than taking medicines from the outset? Is there any way to get the quality of the air in the apartment tested?
Do you have any questions you want to ask me to get a clearer understanding of my problem?

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the follow up query.
I was assuming the deodrizer to be in spray form.
The shelf life of any room freshener should be followed strictly as it can cause problems like skin irritation etc.
Please tell me do you have any redness in the eyes?
Any skin irritation or rashes?
Any post nasal drip?
The symptoms you are experiencing may be due to bacterial infection or fungal infection of the throat. it might not be related to the deodrizer.
Please send me the pictures of your throat so that I can suggest you better.
I hope my advise proves useful for you.
You can ask any questions if you have any doubts.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (4 days later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX Aggarwal,
Thank you for your response.
I will not be returning to my apartment in New York City until next week. Once I am there I will report back to you if my symptoms reoccur.

In answer to your Queries: I do follow the instructions for the air freshener precisely, so there is no issue there.

I am not experiencing any redness of the eyes. nor skin irritations or rashers. No post nasal drip that I am aware of and the air freshener is far away from our bedroom in the bathroom.

I am trying to find out how I can send a picture of my throat. Perhaps it can be texted if you send me your cell phone number. Otherwise as soon as I learn how to send a foto I will do so!

In the meantime can you prescribe a medicine to cure toenail fungus?
XXXXXXX Ippolito

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the information.
You can click the pictures of your throat with your cell phone and attach in the reports section.
For toenail fungus, take tablet fluconazole 150 once a week for 20 weeks. Use fluconazole drops to be put over the toe crevice.
Keep the toes dry and clean.

All the medicines I have prescribed will be available at prescription only.
Take care
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (14 hours later)

Hi Dr. XXXXXXX Aggarwal.

Tried but failed! I Will try to get assistance to fotograph my throat.

Re: Toe fungus. I prefer only topical medicines for my toenail fungus. Will fluconazole drops alone eliminate the toenail fungus? If not what do you recommend?

If you don't write the prescription how do I acquire the medicine?

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Priyanka Aggarwal (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Fungal infection of toe

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Sir only topical application will not help. You must take oral antifungal tablets available with prescription from local doctor. It will definitely heal your toe but it takes some ling time and prescribed for 4 to 6 months depending uoin the response. As these are not available over the counter, you need to get it prescribed from a doctor as online prescription may not be valid. Online prescription is not valid in local pharmacy.
Take care
Thanks and regards

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar