Inconsolable Sick Toddler

normal. i'd just make sure there's no ear infections if he doesn't stop crying.... maybe it hurts when he lays down. prop him up and use humidifier and i bet that helps.
you made me laugh w OCD and kleenex. he's just 2.5 yrs old LOL

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I recommend that you take him to a developmental pediatrician. Sounds like he may have sensory issues. If he does you need to have those addressed before he enters school.

You may be able to have an evaluation done by the school district Early Intervention office. Federal law requires that the local school district evaluate and treat babies/toddlers/children who have a condition that will prevent them from having success in school.

The earlier you get help, the better the chance that he will be able to overcome the issue that is causing this response to illness and whatever is making him a high maintenance baby.

You have nothing to lose by getting an evaluation and everything to gain.

This was how my son was too. He would get a "cold" and he would wake up at night and be grumpy all day. He had no other symptoms. My husband is a doctor and so we have an otoscope. I just asked him to look in his ears one day and sure enough, he had a full blown ear infection in both ears. No other symptoms than a runny nose and waking up at night. So, make sure he doesn't have an ear infection because when it hurts you don't want anyone touching. If he doesn't like the feel of kleenex (maybe he doesn't like how his nose gets raw) try using a soft cloth.

Good suggestions here.

Sometimes, more 'high maintenance' children are simply more attuned to their environment and 'sensitive.'
Which, if you nurture him as such and teach him ways to express himself and the words for his feelings.. it can REALLY help, later, and help him to navigate his frustrations/feelings.

Mind you, this is not a 'bad' thing... it just has to be nurtured appropriately. Per him.
No 2 children are alike.

I say this, because my daughter is like your son in some respects, and from day 1... she has always been more sensory attuned... and I see it as a "strength." She is now a VERY wise child and can accurately 'discern' other people and situations... better than most kids her same age or older.
But I know her... and I manage her as such. She is a good kid... VERY perceptive.... I do not see her 'sensitivities' as a bad thing.... nor do I see her as "high maintenance."

My son on the other hand is much more 'casual' in his temperament.... although he is a normal active expressive child. Which we nurture him... according to how 'he' is.
We do not compare our kids. Not saying you do.

You say it may be hard on you/the family... but for him, a mere 2.5 year old, it is even harder.
A child this age, does NOT even have fully developed emotions, for example. Nor fully developed ways of 'coping skills.' It has to be taught to a child.... as a foundation, so that later, he will be an older child who CAN navigate and manage himself and his feelings.
Boys, need to be taught HOW to express their feelings... it is very important... the "emotional IQ" of a child. It has to be taught to them.... building 'skills' in them. They do not have these 'skills' automatically nor can they always understand what they are going through.
...Simply 'punishing' or 'scolding' a child like this will not help... they need to know the WAY in which to manage themselves... keeping parental "Expectations" age-appropriate and per THEIR understanding. A child's understanding.

Also if a child is for example "grumpy." Teach him HOW to say it, and that you will understand and that it is OKAY to say how one feels. THEN, if a child is told NOT to feel that way, it can make things worse. They are feeling grumpy. Say "Okay, you are grumpy, I understand its not easy feeling junk/sick/grumpy..." etc. I tell my kids "Mommy feels like that too sometimes, its normal...." but that we "try our best" to be a "Team." I validate my kids feelings. Then try WITH them to problem solve it. For me personally, if I am feeling frustrated or grumpy, the LAST thing I want my Husband to do is disregard me or my feelings and tell me "Get over it, go away... I don't want to hear it...." etc. THAT makes me even MORE grumpy. It doesn't help. But, if my Hubby told me instead "I know, some days are hard... I understand your feelings and why you are grumpy..." then THAT makes things much better..... and not derogatory towards me, the one feeling the worse.
Just an example. Try putting yourself in his shoes....

Also, make sure he naps.
Over-tired kids, get REAL fussy and temperamental. AND being over-tired makes it harder for them to sleep, to fall asleep and to stay asleep.
Have you tried giving him cold medicine? There is a brand called "Little Noses" for kid, that helps with nose congestion. Or have you taken him to the Doctor?
Does he have an ear infection? These things are painful.
He is also "OCD" with the Kleenex, because his runny nose is irritating. I know when I have a cold and my nose is constantly runny, it irks me too and I keep a Kleenex box RIGHT next to me.

all the best,
Susan

He could be miserable due to a sore throat. Every time I get a runny nose or cold, my throat burns because the nasal discharge will go down my throat and make it red and irritable. I am so miserable every time I get a runny nose or sinus infection and I have a hard time sleeping. I end up having to sleep with a cough drop in my mouth and wake up often to help soothe my throat. Maybe your 2 1/2 old has something similar. Since you can't give your little one a cough drop, you could make some hot tea with honey. Our pedi told us to make hot (warm) tea with honey because the honey is very soothing to the throat.

Have you taken your child to an ENT to find out the reason for the frequent sinus infections? I feel for your child and for you. I know how hard it is to see your little one suffering and in pain and not be able to do anything about it. Whenever my kids get sick they are totally miserable and nothing I do seems to help. The only thing they want is to be held so we have many restless nights where I just hold them and try my best to soothe them back to sleep.