Having an allergy, especially a food allergy, is a struggle that only some people understand. You learn to avoid certain places, products, and brands. You carry an Epi-Pen everywhere and swallow Benadryl far too often. But, hey, you are not alone.

1. "Does it bug you that you can't eat that? You are really missing out!"

Trust us, we would rather be alive than have a PB and J

2. You read the labels on everything, from crackers to shampoo.

Who would have guessed so many products contain allergens? Whether your food contains gluten, nuts, red dye, dairy or shellfish, you are always trying to avoid hives. Unscented, organic, soy-based companies are your BFF and you are #blessed to live in the age where allergies are more and more common.

3. You have to ask the waiter about your allergens. And they have to go ask the chef. And then you don't get your food for two hours.

The line, "all of our food has the possibility of cross-contamination" is getting old. You just want to be fed! You are getting HANGRY while waiting for your waiter to say "don't sue us if you have a reaction" in a nice way.

4. People think you are just trying to be healthier or are following a fad-diet.

You were #bornthisway and you started the #glutenfree trend before it was popular.

5. People think you are very picky.

You can't eat ______ so people think you are just very picky at meals. This comes with the fact that you hide your allergy from people, because you feel it is manageable. You just hope that people do not notice your strange eating habits.

6. You friends wonder why you don't pet every dog you see.

You love dogs, and maybe even cats, but they make you itch like hell. Your professor's dog is so cute (from a distance). You plan on buying about 10 golden-doodles when you graduate (to make up for the lost time spent not petting dogs).

7. A corn maze is a death trap.

So when you say you are allergic to the air and nature, you LITERALLY mean it? Yes, you are allergic to pollen, dust, mold, weeds, trees, grass and flowers, along with pets, dander, and hay, but who's counting? You steer clear of hay rides, barns, horses, petting-zoos, zoos, pets, outdoor sports that play on grass, and any season but winter.

8. You always have Benadryl on your person.

You get called a human medicine cabinet because you are always prepared for a reaction. Your friends know they can come to you with questions about medications. If someone asked, "Is there a doctor, here?" you might even say, "Me!"

9. You get super itchy after a game of frisbee on the quad.

Outdoor sports are not your jam. You are more likely to be found on the turf, a treadmill or the indoor track.

10. When you have a reaction, your friends think your face is really funny looking (because it is).

Your friends freak when you have a reaction. But, once you get medical attention, they take photos of your swollen face and post them to social media (because why not?).

11. You find your allergy soulmate, and they understand the struggle.

You have that one friend, out of coincidence, that is also allergic to something. You bond over the struggle of the dining hall and tell stories about the ER and how you learned about your allergy. Your other friends find it entertaining, but can't enjoy the struggle with you the way your allergy soulmate can.

12. At the end of the day, you don't really care about your allergy because your allergy is part of what makes you, you!

You can't eat nuts and you're proud to have sat at the nut free table in elementary school. #squadgoals #youcantsitwithus