Given that your cold and sore throat have persisted, getting a COVID-19 test is a very sensible step. Even without a fever, mild infections can present this way, particularly with public transit exposure. While Avil (pheniramine) and steam inhalation can help ease congestion, they won't treat an underlying virus. I recommend taking a COVID-19 test for peace of mind. Please wear a mask during your commute, stay well-hydrated, and consult a doctor if symptoms worsen.

While mild headaches can occasionally occur with pheniramine (the active ingredient in your allergy medication), a severe headache followed by vomiting is not a typical side effect and could point to another cause, such as a migraine. To help relieve the current mild headache, you may take a standard dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen, provided you have no allergies to them. I recommend reducing your pheniramine intake, as three tablets daily is a high dose that can cause significant drowsiness. Please consult a doctor to properly evaluate this headache and explore safer, non-drowsy allergy alternatives.

It sounds like you are experiencing hives, medically known as urticaria. When you scratch, it releases more histamine, causing the rash to expand?a common reaction called dermatographism. The quick relief you get from antihistamines also points to this. Hives can certainly be triggered by food allergies, infections, or stress. However, a mineral deficiency is a very unlikely cause for this type of rapid, reactive rash. I suggest keeping a food diary to track potential triggers and speaking with a doctor or allergist for a personalized evaluation.

Since these antihistamines haven't helped after two days, I highly recommend consulting a doctor or dermatologist for a professional evaluation. They can identify specific triggers and may suggest stronger treatments, such as a brief course of oral corticosteroids or prescription topical steroid creams to quickly calm the inflammation. In the meantime, cool compresses can provide some soothing relief. Please seek immediate emergency care if you experience any swelling of your face or difficulty breathing.

This persistent swelling might be a deeper type of reaction called angioedema, which often doesn't respond to standard allergy medications or topical steroids. It can be triggered by certain prescription medications, infections, or non-allergic factors. While it is usually not dangerous, it is important to have a doctor evaluate it to find the exact cause. Please seek immediate medical care if you experience any difficulty breathing, swallowing, or tightness in your throat. Otherwise, a regular doctor's visit will help get you the right treatment.

A recurring, itchy reaction like this is often urticaria (hives), which can be triggered by certain foods, environmental allergens, stress, or even a recent viral illness. To prevent another flare-up, try to identify any new exposures from last week and avoid them. Keep your skincare simple and avoid hot showers. Since levocetirizine and Avil helped, keep them on hand. I highly recommend keeping a symptoms log and consulting an allergist for targeted testing to identify the exact trigger.