Despite having grown up with a cat, since I left home several years ago I have developed an allergy to them. I have just moved into a house with 2 new kittens. Although my allergy is still there it is managable and only really an issue when i get scratched or touch my eyes. I was wondering whether long term exposure to a known allergen will cause health problems? Can it result in sinus problems, permantly stuffy nose etc?

The symptoms you are describing are very likely to be due to allergy. There are not really any long term additional risks. If you are in regular contact with the kittens an acute, new sudden allergy response is unlikely. Your symptoms are however likely to remain chronic and persistent.

If you are, like me, someone who dotes on cats, I have 4 at present, you are a bit short of options. If we rule out giving away your kittens for the moment, there are a number of medications you could try, it is possible that none of them will work:

Oral antihistamines

Nasal antihistamines

Nasal Steroids

Sodium Cromoglycate nasal spray.

equally none are really harmful, you may need to try the list. It could. With allergies, you never know. I do think that the more you're around cats, if you're allergic, the more likely you'll have a bad reaction to them. I am allergic to cats and have always had them - long term exposure to them will only highten your immunity to those cats.