[JaggedNZ]

Thanks so much, sounds like we have quite similar allergies and symptoms, I can really relate to having weepy messed up eyes and comments from strangers! Funnily enough, I think I should hopefully qualify for it with my Asthma + IgE levels, that it could help my eczema would be a big bonus.

I tried allergy immunotherapy (aka. "allergy shots") but it was very rough and it aggravated blood pressure issues and gave me joint pains, so I opted to discontinue after the second attempt.

On hydroxyzine, I've taken cetirizine (2nd gen, metabolite of hydroxyzine) in the past. 1st gen antihistamines usually knock me out. I'm now on Fexofenadine (Allegra, Telfast) which is mostly covered by my insurance and works pretty good still.

One crazy thing for eczema sufferers, if you get bad eczema on neck and arms during summer don't assume you have a heat rash, patch test your sun screen. I now use zinc based sun screen after a dermatologist patch test identified I was allergic too Oxybenzone's. Never has a clue and I live in a country with very high UV levels.