Am I allergic to my university?

[SpideySenseTingles]

I've come in to uni early today to study in one of the student rooms before lessons and within minutes my nose is streaming and I keep on sneezing.

I felt fine before, had no symptoms at all and now I'm having to blow my nose every 30 seconds. Normally when I get a cold I feel a bit croaky for a day or two before I start sneezing.

This is the second time I've suddenly developed a cold whilst being in this building and I'm wondering if maybe I'm allergic to something here, maybe a cleaning product?

Is this a thing that can happen? Can you be allergic to a room?

I don't get hay-fever and I'm not allergic to animals. I don't really know what allergies feel like.

Is it dusty

Not particularly, though the building was shut for half term. It's a big spacious room with tables and chairs, three computers and a few book shelves.

Could be a cleaning product, some people are allergic to ammonia for instance. These things often get worse with repeated exposure so well worth asking GP for allergy tests so you know what it is and how to avoid it.

Oh I hadn't known that was an option. Thank you, I will ask my GP for a test.

I just thought it was very odd for a cold to come on so strong and suddenly and wondered if any mumsnetters had ever had the same experience

One of my colleagues was allergic to another colleagues perfume. She asked the lady not to wear it the next day and turns out that was what was causing the sneezing fits! Could it be something like that?

Take piriton before going in that class.

The one where I worked recently had introduced fogging as a cleaning measure for Covid (technically more than once a day in the classrooms). This can certainly have effects on people with asthma, not sure about generally.

I've had reactions to desk cleaning products before in a previous job.

Thank you for these. I was alone in the room so I don't think it was perfume. Could be some covid cleaning stuff a foot. Until now I thought I had a robust nose

Keep a watch on whether your symptoms subside once you are no longer in there (I'm guessing they do).

@flourescentfish

One of my colleagues was allergic to another colleagues perfume. She asked the lady not to wear it the next day and turns out that was what was causing the sneezing fits! Could it be something like that?

Yes I am sensitive to some perfumes! My friends know and avoid wearing new perfume if we are going to the theatre or cinema because my constant sneezing disturbs everyone. I have been known to ask for a change of seat if someone, sat close, is wearing a perfume my nose doesn't like! I have noticed I have started reacting to some cleaning products. The shower cleaner is dreadful. Wearing a mask helps.

I once worked with someone who had completely lost her sense of smell - she hadn't been able to smell anything for over 20 years. She'd worked for the company a very long time and was offered early retirement during a reorganisation.

Within a few weeks of leaving, her sense of smell came back.

Is there a window open and trees outside?