allergy vent

[LoveTrains]

It is GORGEOUS out right now. This is almost my favorite time of year - well, this and the similar time in the fall when its about this temperature but starting to get a little crisp. 

My H and I are trying to enjoy a nice afternoon hanging out on the back deck but my allergies are so, so bad. I never had seasonal allergies until I turned 30 (so like two summers ago), but they are so awful now. I am on allegra and I have a nasal spray but my eyes are watery and itchy and I have a perpetually runny nose. 

Has anyone ever had success wtih allergy shots and other kinds of treatment? Because this is starting to get ridiculous. I just hate that it is ruining my enjoyment of the outdoors on a beautiful day like today. 

[magdala]

I have horrible allergies. I went through the scratch test that Rock described. It is more of applying an rough emery board to your skin that actual shots. After they scratch up the skin, they apply concentrated allergen. The allergens that you are allergic to will inflame and ITCH. Once you know what you are allergic too, the doctors can determine whether a course of shots is viable. They don't have shots for every allergen. I went through a round of shots back in the 80s and then had another round in 2006. I still have allergies even after the shots; but it is manageable with medication.

Two simple things that help my allergies is staying hydrated and washing my hands with hot water as often as I can.