Red/Irritated Nose?

[kkiddle]

Ever since I got Cheeto, he's been a sneezer. At his vet check up, she said that there were no signs of disease and told me what to look for if he really starts sneezing a lot. She said it was probably just allergies and that I shouldn't be concerned.
I was curious as to what was causing the sneezing, and it seemed to be the wood stove pellets that I used for litter, as they can be quite dusty. Ever since I started using the Cat Litter box system, (mentioned on this forum somewhere =) ), there is no need for litter and his sneezing has decreased significantly.
He does still have sneezing fits, but it's usually after he's been trolling around under the very dusty dresser.
Anyway, when I was giving him a treat last night, I noticed that the insides of his nostrils were a bit red and inflamed. I haven't found anything on here that suggests an illness, so am I just being paranoid?
There have been no diet decreases/exercise changes and he seems normal other than the nose. There's no discharge anywhere and his paws are pristine.
Any suggestions? Could it be just from allergies?
I gave him a good look-over today and trimmed his nails (it's been a while ). Suffice to say, I have many "love" marks (scratches), and he's hiding under the dresser and thumping if I make any noise. =)

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Watermelons]

Might just be allergies. He may be rubbing his nose too because it feels funny. Especially if theres no discharge.
What are you using for bedding in his cage?
So youre not using ANY litter for him to pee on?
What about the hay? Are you shaking it out, outside, before you put it in his cage?
Pellets? Any other animals in the house?

 

[LakeCondo]

It sounds like the allergy exposure has lessened, but hasn't been eliminated. It may be impossible to eliminate them completely.

 

[kkiddle]

Thanks for the responses!

He doesn't have a cage, so I don't use bedding. (He's free-run in my room).
There's no litter in his box; I use the Tidy Cats Breeze Litter box, discussed here.
The hay I use is in a container, like a container that you keep dog food in. I cut a hole in the container so he can get to they hay. Maybe that's it?!? Maybe it's from him trying to pull the hay out. hmmm. I'll have to check on that.
I use oxbow pellets and I do have a dog that lives in the house, but doesn't have access to my room.
If anything changes, I'll take him to the vet right away. But he seems perfectly normal, so I'll be on the lookout.
Thanks!

 

[Watermelons]

Take your hay outside, lay a sheet or garbage bag down, take all your hay when you get it, hold it at shoulder hight and shake it all out over the ... whatever you put down. This will help make small dusty bits go away, then you can scoop up all the large bits on the... whatever you used... and spread the little bits left outside or something. Timothy can be fairly dusty.