In Which I Sneeze The Day Because My Allergies Don’t Go Away

/ Ally Bean

Grumpy bird is grumpy.

I understand how he feels.  April is difficult for me, too, Mr. Bird.  I’m allergic to the pollen and mold that is everywhere outside this month.  I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember.

Not a fan of this month.  Don’t sign me up to be on Team April.

There’s nothing for me to do except complain take allergy meds that make me drowsy and wait for the rain to clear the pollen and mold from the air.

I mean I’m out and about living my life because I’m a conscientious woman who said she’d do the things.  But I’m doing the things with tissues in pocket, eye drops in handbag, forced pleasant attitude on display.

As if I think April is dandy.

QuestionS of the Day

What’s happening where you live? Are you sneezing and wheezing? Or are you happy and healthy, unbothered by pollen and mold? Tell me your deal, ok? 

~ ~ • ~ ~

125 thoughts on “In Which I Sneeze The Day Because My Allergies Don’t Go Away”

  2. We were treated to an early pollen season thanks to a week of temps in the low 70’s in February. This year, my main reaction is sneezing and feeling really run down. Even though we are getting rain practically every other day, it doesn’t seem to help. Feel better!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Jill, I wonder sometimes why I feel so tired in April, but then I remember oh yes, it’s the evil pollen in the air. Around here if there’s enough rain I’ll get a respite for a few hours after it.

      Like

  3. Hi Ally – unlike you, I haven’t been troubled by allergies – until the last few years. When (and IF!) the snow starts to melt, my eyes itch and water and I sneeze up a storm. You have my sympathies about the discomfort. But not about dandelions. We are still under a meter of snow up here. Come on spring!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, you’ve described my symptoms perfectly. I sneeze and my eyes itch like nobody’s business. I kind of like dandelions, truth be told. I hope your spring shows up soon, it needs to get it in gear!

      [Are you back to blogging? Please say yes. Missed you.]

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Sure, we are unbothered by pollen – because spring is slower here. We had a blizzard this week and still have snow on the ground. We’ll get pollen eventually, but it’s not so bad here because we do not have as much in the way of green growing things as you probably do. My husband and I have strong allergic responses, so we live somewhere where the air is dry. The plants are less plentiful, and winter is longer. It works for us!

    Liked by 2 people

    • KDKH, I try not to be a whiner but when it comes to my allergic reactions to pollen and mold, I back slide. I can understand why living where you do is perfect for you. Only a little bit jealous…

      Liked by 1 person

  5. All good here, Ally, (hemisphere advantage), but the tide is turning. Everyone is queuing up for flu shots and the sniffles will soon start. I’d best go take another Vitamin C tablet. Hope your allergies improve soon.

    Liked by 3 people

  7. My allergies begin the moment the trees decide it’s time to gear up for spring. With our weird weather that usually means 2 wks to 1 month earlier each year so I spend that time wondering if my stuffy nose and weird cough is an oncoming cold or pollen. It was March this year.
    I tried Allegra a few years back and it works well for me with the exception of the eyes until each new dose kicks into gear in the morning. No sleepiness and I can take my walks without sneezing 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, my allergy woes are all about the trees, too. Well, and a few bushes. I am so tired of sniffling and clearing my throat when I want to speak. And my eyes look awful. Ok, there I’m finished complaining.

      I’ve seen Allegra and will look into it. I have Benadryl. It helps, but makes me feel like a slug.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Benadryl’s only purpose is to sleep through the symptoms, not help them! Never liked the stuff. Went to Claritin for years but still rather a sleep inducer and then it just stopped working as my body moved from weed pollen to trees. Good luck!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. I’ve never had allergies (I was tested but it was New Jersey I was allergic to) until the past few years. I am good for two hours gardening or cleaning up. Then I start the whole rhino thing with runny nose, sneezing and that. This year I started to get headaches with it so I’ve started to take allergy pills. They seem to work. I’m hoping this is short lived and once things are out and bloomed, it will improve. Good luck to you.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Sorry for your allergies. Never any fun! We are done with the yellow dust here. I just suffer from sinus headaches for a short period of time. It kills my head to bend over when babysitting the little ones.Seems like there’s always something! T least the colors of spring are amazing.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Beth, you’re right about how pretty spring is. Love the colors and the way in which it unfolds outside my window… as I sneeze my life away inside. 😉

      Like

  13. We just had a GIANT snow and ice storm (because those 70 degree days were just a tease) so I’m mad at April too.

    Hope you feel better soon. As a fellow allergy sufferer, I feel you!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Kate, I’m thinking back fondly on snow and ice right about now. Those two substances stop pollen in it’s little yellow tracks. Thanks for your sympathy. You understand…

      Like

  14. I believe you need to give some serious consideration to modifying your traveling accomodations during April Ally. I think you should take a tip from Glenda the Good Witch and confine yourself to a pretty bubble for the entire month.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deborah, now there’s a thought! I always liked Glinda the Good Witch and I wouldn’t mind having a sparkly wand to wave around as I tell the Munchkins what to do. This idea has potential. Thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Pollen is not bothering me at the moment, but we did have to dodge “love bugs” on our walk this morning. J ended up almost swallowing one or (more likely) two . . . since they spend their entire 24-hour life cycle copulating. 😯

    Liked by 1 person

    • nancy, well my goodness gracious. There you are dodging naughty bugs while I’m trying not to inhale pollen. It’s as if there’s always something out there ready to cause you trouble.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. April isn’t my favorite month, mainly because of the gray weather here and TAXES. I’m thankful to not have any allergies. I did manage to catch a cold though! Our tree pollens are very high right now and many people are miserable. Spring is an awful time for those with allergies. Summer too?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, yet another black mark for April. Filing taxes, not so great. Sneezing all the time, not so great. April, not so great. Fortunately for me once the trees do their pollen thing, the rest of the pollens don’t bother me to this degree. Some people spend the whole season dealing with allergies, poor kids.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Snow is melting, slowly. Except in the places where it’s frozen to a solid ice pack. But my chickens got to go out today!! First time since early November. Yay, them. I envy you your pollen (sort of).

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, so it was a release the chickens kind of day. Do they get happy and do the chicken dance? No ice here, except in my drinks. I like how pretty it looks outside, but oh. my. goodness. am I sneezy.

      [Been having trouble commenting on your blog. Will keep trying. I’m not ignoring you.]

      Like

  18. What’s happening where you live? Are you sneezing and wheezing? Or are you happy and healthy, unbothered by pollen and mold? Tell me your deal, ok? My favorite season is Spring, so ah, sorry about your sneezing and itchy red eyes etc. But some of us are out there (judiciously. Let’s not get nuts here) enjoying the budding flowers and looking at really incredibly cute baby animals (the farmer to the north has baby lambs. Oh my !! The CUTEST things I’ve seen for a long while). It’s been raining, almost non-stop for the past two and a half weeks. 😦 I love rain, but REALLY?? This ain’t Oregon nor Washington State last time I looked, or where is the fresh seafood??? And this year, Spring shaped up to be very somber with the death of Hunydog. Yeah. Won’t remember 2019 Spring with any fondness.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Melanie, I bet it’s pretty where you live. If nothing else all your rain, weird as it is, will make for bigger blooms. Baby lambies are adorable, so lucky you for having the chance to see some up close and personal. I’m sorry about your loss, Hunydog was a real treasure. You were fortunate to have been buddies for as long as you were.

      Like

  19. Bummer Ally. I don’t suffer from allergies unless I use one of the herbal heating pads we have. There must be something in there that bothers me because I end up with itchy, red eyes. I’d definitely use Claritin or Benadryl though. Since I’m at home, if it makes me sleepy I can take a nap. Not a bad thing once in a while.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, naps are good. I agree with you. And so be it if over the weekend I happen to find myself napping each afternoon away. I’m not big on meds, but spring allergies are enough to change my mind about that idea. Plus naps…

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I have my moments but so far nothing stronger than OTC benedryl at night, which seems to contain the worst of it. Years ago I did the allergy shot regimen for I guess three years and change, and it did help tremendously. But that was when I lived in another state (CA), and I suspect any inoculation I might still have in me is both ineffective here in Florida anyway. I agree rain is always a welcome salve. Feel better! – Marty

    Liked by 2 people

    • Marty, I did that allergy shot regimen for 7 years and am much better now than I used to be, believe it or not. Still the shots only do so much for you. I hadn’t thought about what happens when you move states. I have some OTC Benadryl which at night is good, but during the day I get too snoozy with it. Allergies are dumb.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, I rather like rainy days. We’re getting April showers here, but not whole days of them which would knock this pollen down to the ground. Oh well, ever onward go I… tissue in hand.

      Like

  23. April is sincerely sorry, but would like to point out that it’s Nature that’s the issue. I mean, April in Australia, for instance, is getting colder. So…

    I’ll send some tissues to you, if that will help. They’ll be white. You can wave them in surrender.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Tara, good point. April here is when I get sneezy and grumbly, but in other places it is other months when the pollen takes over. This is a complete paradigm shift in thinking. Thank you for pointing that out to me. Also, my apologies to April, I’ve done her wrong, haven’t I?

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’m a sneezer this time of year and it is unpleasant, I’ll grant you that. Some grumbling is permitted. 🙂

        April will graciously accept your apology, then bloom a flower to make you smile, which in turn will make you sneeze. Just take your antihistamine before she gives it to you! (It’s the thought that counts!)

        Like

        • Tara, you make me smile. Thank you. I try not to be a whiner on this blog, but I tell you this pollen/mold situation is enough to drive me blonkers. Of course, when I receive the flowers I’ll be happy again.

          Like

  25. I’ve been on allergy immunotherapy for decades (down to maintenance phase now which is once/month for shots in both arms for the same things as you) and OTC Alavert (April 1st to 4th of July is what works best for me). It is still miserable though and I take the Alavert when I get up in the morning and it is good for 24 hours. But there is often that feeling of having to sneeze or the dry eyes and some tiredness. I heard the pollen in the South is worse than its been in many years. A friend in NC posted pics of a tree being felled and it hit the ground in a cloud of yellow pollen.

    Liked by 2 people

    • linda, I have taken Alavert and it’s good for me, but it’s not always available around here. Or at least in the pharmacy I frequent most often. I don’t know how I’d feel about seeing a cloud of yellow pollen in front of me. Fascinated by the science of it, hoping I could outrun it, for sure.

      Like

      • Oh that’s too bad Ally – I had tried a few others over the years and didn’t like the woozy or drowsy feeling I got with them. I just looked on Amazon and it is available there if you can’t find it in stores. I just get mine at Meijer grocery store. My friend had a couple of TV news station videos on her Facebook site – this one shows the pollen in the water. I know she mentions and has shown photos how pollen settles on her car during the day while she is at work and it is amazing.
        https://abc11.com/weather/video-jordan-lake-turns-yellow-as-pollen-nears-record-highs/5243538/?fbclid=IwAR0NmMLzAKxAzD6MpdbHMAu6FLk81azQkmOJJy6g6LfBuYuVzWVRW7X3zt8

        Liked by 1 person

        • linda, we have Meijer [not close-by but around here] and I haven’t been in one in years. I’ll make a point of going to one and checking to see if they have Alavert. Thanks for the idea.

          And now I’m off to look at the link you shared. If you can’t beat it, watch it! 😉

          Liked by 1 person

          • Hopefully you can find it at Meijer Ally. I shopped for groceries at Farmer Jack for years (decades really) and when they closed abruptly in 2006, I had to scramble to find another grocery store. I did not like KMart’s produce, found Kroger too pricey and thus became a Meijer shopper. I was overwhelmed initially at the size of the store – Farmer Jack was small and I could be in/out in no time … here, items are scattered from one end of the store to the other. A shopping trip becomes my walk for the day. The states like NC always had more mild weather – my friend now posts pics of large amounts of snow, a swamp in the backyard from all the rain and all this pollen – the Midwest starts to look better all the time.

            Like

          • I know – I had another video I wanted to share with Ally – it was of a tree falling and the pollen was flying everywhere, just a huge yellow cloud, but I could not find the link on the news station site. My friend lives in North Carolina and says the pollen is extra bad this year. Hopefully you don’t deal with that Prior.

            Liked by 2 people

            • We had a lot of the yellow (I shared a photo) and I am in Virginia right above Carolinas – and the cars were covered – but things are better now – it rained a lot and that helped

              Liked by 2 people

              • It rained here on Sunday and with that downpour most of the pollen went away. It’s sunny today but I feel much less itchy and sneezy. That’s the thing about seasonal allergies, they come at me all at once, then are gone just as quickly. Hoping you’re feeling less put upon by them now, too.

                Liked by 1 person

              • I will check it out Yvette – I just followed your site and meandered around a little. I wish I had some more photos for mine, but pickin’s are slim right now with this ever-present rain. A friend of mine lives in Richmond, VA – she has mentioned the pollen as well. Hopefully all our rain will help tame the pollen here. The trees are in bud, but no leaves have unfurled just yet. It’s been an ugly Spring so far and I fear it will follow in the footsteps of last year’s rainy Spring (9 weekends in a row of rain)!

                Liked by 2 people

  26. Great bird photo – that dove does look grumpy! Sorry to admit this…I don’t have allergies. But, I do empathize with those who do, especially those like you who can make light of a horrible situation and come through smiling in the summer. Sigh. Take care, Ally, I hope your tissues hold true to their sales pitch claims. xx

    Like

    • Shelley, I just found your comment in my spam file. I don’t know why it went there, but considering how messed up WP blogging has become lately… why not?

      Anyhoo, I’m feeling a bit better this week than last week, so the pollen is slowly going away. You’re fortunate to not have seasonal allergies, but you realize that! Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Ally, thank you for the persistence in replying despite the spam factor. Hopefully all of WP problems are like seasonal allergies – they just show up for a period of time and we throw a whole bunch of cures their way and eventually they level out and ‘work’. Glad you found my comment and glad you’re feeling better. Take care!

        Liked by 1 person

  27. I’ve been so used to having sinus troubles my whole life, that it’s hard for me to tell if the pollen is really affecting me or not. Staying indoors as much as I do, my main issue is probably with cat hair… as that pollen index is always through the roof in my house.

    Liked by 2 people

    • evilsquirrel13, I’m allergic to cat dander, too. It makes me sneeze as much as tree pollen. I’m sorry you have sinus troubles. It’s a challenge no matter where you live, outside or inside.

      Like

  28. I am very sorry you suffer so. 😦
    I must brag to you and write that I am growing OUT of my seasonal allergies and while I still must medicate (fall is the worst) in spring I can generally take a Zyrtec every 3-4 days and Flonase every other and I’m okay 😀 But, I was a kid who got shots and a kid who slept through summer and I generally spent childhood in a mess of snot, so, this is nice.

    Liked by 2 people

  29. All our natural allergens have just been put in their place by that awful April blizzard that made its way across the Midwest and the news outlets earlier this week. Looks like winter out there, but the little buggers are lurking under the snow…

    Liked by 2 people

    • The Travel Architect, I agree with you. I like snow because it shows allergens who is boss. However, you’re are right, that once the melt starts those pesky little bits of pollen are all ready to attack. Nothing to do about it… except complain. 🤧

      Liked by 1 person

  30. It’s full on allergy season here. The cherry trees are finished blooming, as are the tulip trees, but there is mustard seed everywhere, and a horrible tree in my neighbor’s yard that gives my husband asthma. So we are in full on drug mode, both oral and nasal spray, as well as eye drops. It is pretty outside, though, and it hit 80 degrees today.

    Liked by 2 people

    • J, what a lousy thing for both you and Ted. I’m the only one in this house with spring allergies, but both of you? I’m sorry. I’ve got oral meds and eye drops, but the nasal sprays affect me adversely. The trees you mention sound exotic to me, a midwesterner. My most hated pollen-producing trees are mulberry and oak.

      Like

      • Ally, it’s not just the two of us, it’s all 3. Sigh. The nasal spray sometimes gives me a bloody nose, so I only use it when things are dire. Have you tried a netti pot? A good sinus rinse before bed can help a lot. Also take your oral meds before bed, and you can even discuss with your doctor taking one in the morning and one at night. My doctor said that was fine during allergy season. We have oak trees all around here, and yes, the pollen from them is horrible. I don’t know whether there are any mulberries in our neighborhood. A tulip tree is a type of magnolia. I don’t think they have much pollen, and they are beautiful.

        Liked by 1 person

        • J, all three of you? Gracious. Life can be a trial sometimes. In some older parts of town we have tulip trees, often in graveyards. I adore their leaves, being a big fan of all things tulip. If there were mulberry trees around you, you’d know it. They have dark purple raspberry-looking fruit that stains everything it comes in contact with– your shoes, the cement, your car. And the birds love that fruit so they eat it then poop it on your deck, your outdoor furniture, your car. Plus the darn tree makes me sneeze. 🙄

          Like

  31. Ooh, grumpy bird LOOKS grumpy. For sure.
    We have pollen out the yin yang here. Pollen coating every stationary surface, pollen clouds hovering over roads and cities. It’s GROSS. By some miracle every other member of my family is like the walking dead and I’m doing okay so far — maybe I should feel guilty about this but I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laura, I agree that pollen is gross. It’s insidious and just doesn’t care what it covers with its yellowness. If it’s not bothering you, despite its attempts, then I say count your blessings and go with it guilt-free. Perhaps you could be a tissue sherpa hauling the big boxes with you as you go! 😃

      Like

  32. I’m not sure whether I don’t have allergies, or whether I’m just not allergic to the flora and fauna around here. I was visiting relatives in St. Louis during pollen season one year and had no issues, so perhaps I’m just one of the lucky ones. Take care of yourself… May is coming!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janis, some people don’t have allergies, for whatever reasons. I say enjoy this part of your health profile, and go skipping through a meadow full of wildflowers and grasses and trees. Take a few pics for those of us housebound, ok?

      Liked by 1 person

  33. It’s autumn here so pollen is not an issue for me. Not that it is in spring either. I’ve always wondered what I did in a past life to score the genetic combination that meant I got no allergies and I don’t need glasses unlike my four siblings. Sorry you’re suffering. Hope things get better next month.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Master of Something Yet, you’re lucky to have avoided allergies. Being allergic to stuff in the air is stupid and annoying and worthy of a good rant once in a while. As for eyeglasses, I’ve worn them since I was 5 y.o. As much as I appreciate seeing clearly, I can grumble about how much I’ve spent on spectacles over the years. Glasses are not inexpensive. Again, lucky you.

      Liked by 1 person

    • John, my sympathies to Mary. I know how annoying allergies are. You’re right about the rain. When it knocks the pollen out of the air, I’m much happier.

      Like

  37. Hi ally bean – sending some virtual tissues your way –
    I am surprisingly not too bothered by the pollen (but i do need to show you a picture I took of some of pollen – be right back with that)
    and I literally took sinus stuff almost daily since June 2017 – and sometime in February I was able to get off of it – whew

    Liked by 1 person

  39. I use to love April when it was that wonderful month ‘after’ winter and ‘before’ summer. Now, it is just an extension of winter but ten degrees warmer. I walk around with the tissues and the eye drops but not as bad as your issue. My big issue is dust. We cleaned the garage over the weekend and I had to find some things in the barn, and that’s when the coughing kicks in. But, I haven’t had to shovel so that’s a positive. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Judy, I’m sorry about you and dust. I have those allergies, too– but not to the degree that you do. It’s frustrating to be slowed down by pollen, mold, dust spores. But like you said, at least there’s no more shoveling! I can focus on that kind of good thing.

      Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I’m sorry to read about your niece. Situations like hers are scary. I can understand how your priorities are elsewhere, not in the blogosphere these days.

      Like

Comments are closed.