Every now and then (maybe once every couple of months) I wake up in the early hours with really tickly ears. This rapidly becomes unbearable, like there are insects crawling round inside them. After about 20 minutes, my throat, nose and eyes all start burning, and my nose starts streaming. Then I start sneezing 10/15 times in a row.
I usually take some piriton and it eases after an hour and then I go back to sleep. It leaves me feeling woozy the next morning - piriton doesn't usually make me drowsy so I think its another symptom, not a side effect iyswim? Also, there have been a couple of times when I haven't had any anti-histamines, and it has eased off in the end anyway though taken slightly longer (I think).
This only ever happens between 2-5am, and it can happen at any time of year. It started about 5 years ago - I've moved three times since it started and it has happened in all three houses I've been in, and when I've been away from home as well. It doesn't seem to be linked to anything I eat or drink. I do suffer from something like hayfever, which also happens throughout the year but is worse on wet/windy days - but this night-time thing has no relation to the weather either.
So... what on earth could it be?