Eye Allergy

[numan]

I am a gardener and have developed an allergy that is foxing the medical profession. My eyes swell up to the extent that I cannot see, my nose spreads to join my eyebrows and my whole face looks as if it is inflated or full of liquid (NOT an attractive look)!
The itching is very prickly and as it starts to go down, my eyelids peel and flake. This hardening of the skin causes my skin to crack at the corners, leaving sore gashes.. sounds marvellous, doesn't it? I have no discharge or pain and feel completely healthy and I have no hayfever symptoms whatsoever - it purely affects my eyes, which in turn affects the rest of my face (i.e. the swelling).
It is definitely an allergy, so the doctors tell me, but cannot narrow it down to any particular thing. I thought it may have been something in the soil in my garden, which hasn't been dug for over 50 years.. maybe a bacteria or toxic building waste as it only ever happened when I freshly dug it. But then I was working in a customers garden last week and it happened again! So back to the drawing board.
I have been all over the internet trying to find anything that relates to eye allergies or clover contra-indications etc., but to no avail.
HELP!!
I have to wait for an appointment to see the allergy specialists in St. Thomas's Hospital, but we all know that that can take months and I need to work!!!
Is there anyone out there at all that can shed any light on this?
PLEASE???
Yours Hopefully
Numan

[terambulan]

try anti-histermine tablets, over the counter, at Boots. If you're fair-skinned have the tablets and use sun-barrier-cream.

Should say......am not a medic......only giving my own remedy!

[landscaper2]

Sorry to hear of your problem Numan, cant say I've come across anything as severe as yours sounds, but my little grandaughter's eyes swelled up as soon as we got to Centre Parc at this time two years ago and we put it down to the proliferation of Pine trees maybe. Kept our fingers crossed and went there again last week and she had no problems.

[nonomaybe]

I'm also sorry, numan to read to read of your problem particularly as it is your work. Is there a common denominator that links to the occurrences? A particular plant for example? For if you handled a plant and then rubbed the bridge area of your nose as we are wont to do when the eyes get tired this may be the cause.
My wife was involved for many years,with commercial floristry and horticulture, with no problems at all then seemingly out of the blue, she started getting reactions rather like yours but very, very slight. She did a self analysis by deduction and came up with several plants that gave her an allergic reaction.Now she avoids them or wears gloves and has no problems-until she forgets!! It needn't be a plant but hopefully you may find a common thread. Who knows you may have solved it by the time your appointment comes along.