My face is on fire.

My nose is attacking me.

Now my eyes are watering.

I don’t know how the food tastes; my nose is stuffed up.

There is nothing good about allergies, save for the occasional excuse to get out of awkward social situations. Altogether, having cold-like symptoms, being unable to cuddle animals, and hesitating before taking a breath of fresh spring air puts a hinderance on everyday life.

Allergy pills, nasal sprays, eye-drops, inhalers; they never quite seem to do the trick. I still feel like I’m withering away as I’m left in my room while the pets I own run the house.

I got an allergy test for the first time about a month ago. Unlike others who dread the tediousness of getting pricked with a pin thirty times, I looked forward to the experience. After twenty years, we’ll figure out why my eyes itch when I go outside; I’ll be able to confirm my hives are because of my dog and not due to the world trying to kill me; I can take action and launch a preemptive counter-strike against the things trying to kill me every day.

Forty pinpricks and sharpie marks later, I finally received my answer.

Dogs. I knew it.

Dust: had a feeling.

What the hell is red top grass and why does it look like every other type?

It was kind of a double-edged sword. I knew what was bothering me, but taking steps toward avoid allergens is all but impossible with a house full of pets and the outside world clogged with grasses.

So, to combat those trying to kill me, I’ve taken additional measures to ensure my safety. As usual, I take an allergy pill every morning as soon as I wake up. A swig of water and it somehow stops my nose from attacking my face for the rest of the day. If I didn’t, I’d be left bedridden with a washcloth draped over my face. Nasal spray is used generously as the day grows hotter and my dog tries to sneak into my room as I’m getting ready. I try not to use allergy eye drops since they burn and mess up my makeup, but they’re handy every once in awhile.

I was also diagnosed with allergy-induced asthma. A powder inhaler was prescribed to me, but it doesn’t help all that much. The coughing continues until I’m away from everyone and everything. I’ve started to like dogs and cats a whole lot less over the years since I can’t even be around them.

Forget about strong perfumes. You can’t really test for that, nor cigarette smoke, both of which exacerbate allergy symptoms. I’ve had many nights ruined by the slightest whiff of these items; I’ll find myself unable to breathe, constantly sneezing, or in danger of coughing my lungs out.

Allergy shots and allergy drops are some of the few long-term solutions available. Shots are more common and are given by your doctor as long as you’re able to get to your office multiple times a month and have the income to account for the medicine. You can administer drops yourself, usually under your tongue, but it is often more expensive than the aforementioned shots. For a college student like me that can’t afford a car and often moves around a lot, allergy shots and drops are out of the question, especially since you have to devote yourself to the treatment for a few years. We’ll just have to grin and bear it.

So I ask my friends for one thing: please understand.

The least sexy thing is blowing your nose thirty times in front of a date.

The least relaxing thing is puffing an inhaler while laughing with your friends.

Hives have never complimented an outfit (even though the itchy, red bumps might be the same shade of red as your dress).

Asking what? nine times because your ears are clogged isn’t tolerable, especially at work. Especially when the rude customer you're trying to deal with gets even madder. Especially when your manager takes the customer's side.

Please understand when your friends are experiencing allergy symptoms. It isn’t something they can help. If they reschedule because they touched a dog, don’t get mad. If they ask you not to smoke around them, wait til you can go outside. Allergies suck and sometimes avoiding the allergens are impossible.