I’m allergic to pollen, dust, ragweed, all oak trees, mold, cockroaches, and peanuts. Life can be miserable in the peak season dealing with these allergies, and let me not forget allergy-induced asthma. Dealing with this long list of allergies makes everyday life a constant battle. Each of these allergens has a way of creeping into my day-to-day, often without warning, which means I always have to be on guard. During peak allergy season, even stepping outside becomes a calculated risk. Trees and plants release pollen that lingers in the air, dust is everywhere indoors, and mold can build up in damp spaces without warning. All it takes is one exposure, and suddenly, I’m sneezing, my eyes itch, and I can’t catch my breath.
Food is another challenge. With a peanut allergy, I have to be extremely careful about what I eat, scanning every ingredient list and avoiding foods prepared in facilities that handle nuts. One accidental exposure could send me to the hospital, so I’ve learned to eat cautiously. But the constant vigilance is exhausting, and it means that even something as simple as trying a new restaurant or going to a friend’s house for dinner requires planning and caution. And then there’s asthma. Any exposure can trigger an attack, and my lungs tighten up, making it hard to breathe. It’s a relentless cycle that I’ve learned to manage, but it makes life a daily challenge.