We all know them; we all have them once in a while, and we all know how they are a burden.
I live in Southern California, so we experience something called "Santa Ana Winds." It's wind that has all sorts of pollen and substances. Allergies run in my family, and I am no exception.
This morning, the 16th, I arrive at school for 0-period Bio at 6:30, and I start sneezing right when I sit in my chair. I brush it off and put an extra tissue box from class into my backpack. I go on through my next two classes with little problem, but when I go to Orchestra, it got really bad.
People start staring, avoiding my path, and asking me the same question, "Are you okay?" I plop down on my seat, get out my instrument, and treat my nose with some tissue. After 30-minutes, the teacher makes me go outside in the hot, windy environment.
During lunch, it got really annoying. Let me tell you that my school is an outdoor school, so lunch is outside. It was fine when I was with my friends, but when we dispersed; I had to talk with my old friend from elementary school. The people he hangs out with aren't really that educated except for a few and say stupid things, such as, "Don't touch him! He'll explode!" and “Get away from me! I don't want to get infected and die!" I try to explain to them that allergies aren't contagious and that they need to stop being paranoid, but no, they persist. Miraculously, the bell rings, signaling me to go to English.
Maybe after 10 minutes, the teacher comes towards me and says I should go to the health office and just lie down. The receptionist comments on my well-being, saying that I should go home, but I told her that I already took my medicine and that I need to stay 'till 6th period for a test. I just couldn't let my partner down! (History terms test where you get this paper with 10 terms you did an assignment on. We have to split the assignment with a partner, so I didn't want to leave him hanging with basically half a brain.) They let me lie down which causes me to fall asleep. The bell rang, it was time for 6th.
On my way down, people continue to stare, whisper to friends, and avoid me. Only my closest friends know that I have always had these kinds of allergies around this time of year, so they comfort me and whatnot. The test goes well, the day ended, I go home, and sleep some more.
End of story.
That was just an example of how allergies affect my everyday life. I get treated as a minority by some people, get accused of being the plague, and have to blow my nose every 15 seconds. I'm pretty sure many people on the forums have allergies, so I made this thread where you can discuss your allergy experiences, help people with medical advice, and discuss anything allergy related.
