Spring is the time of love, summer cottages, barbecue, romantic walks and good mood. Look at everyone, everyone is joyful and fun: couples in love coo on every corner, girls put on short skirts and high heels, grannies on benches sit in the yard and share gossip last with each other. 

And only the spring sun is not to my joy: I am sadly waddling to work early in the morning and dreaming about the weekend, when I can “cheat” by all the rules … May has become the most hated month for me over the past three years. Because I’m allergic. 

Usually, with the onset of May, I stock up on packs of disposable handkerchiefs and get sick throughout the program: sneeze loudly and blow my nose, curse with everyone and get depressed because “no one can understand me, and nothing can help me.” Nature rewarded me with a year-round allergy (to dust, animals, dandruff, cigarette smell) and seasonal hay fever (allergy to plant pollen).

If I somehow coped with my first “companion”, then the second one hits me in the spring painfully and mercilessly. There is enough money except for inexpensive drugs that suppress a runny nose with varying success. About to resort to professional help, while there can be no question. From year to year I reassure myself that I will learn, earn a lot of money and go to the doctor. But until this moment has come, I suffer and suffer every spring!

This spring made me look at my ailments in a new way: the allergy usual for this season grew into bronchial asthma. I will not say that I was especially surprised – I have been asthmatic since childhood. I just never had asthma due to allergies. To say that I was in a difficult situation is like saying nothing. I was, to put it mildly, not ready for such a severe course of the disease.  

Firstly, I am a student who is preparing to defend a graduation project. Secondly, I myself earn a living. Thirdly, there is no way to go on sick leave. I can’t even take a vacation: I’ve been working for only three months. And, what is most annoying, there is no money for expensive drugs. Frankly, there was something to get depressed about: the fairy will not fly and no one will help.

I am the most ordinary person, I do not have hidden abilities and tremendous willpower. Therefore, two weeks ago, when I fell ill, I fell into a severe depression and even got ready to quit my job (“Whatever happens, I have a little left …”). I don’t know how long I was engaged in self-flagellation, but at some point I seemed to see clearly and decided to fight for my right to breathe and enjoy spring. Barely waiting for the May holidays, I tightly addressed the issue of recovery.

After digging through all the sources of literature that I knew, I “updated” that baggage of knowledge that was accumulated over many years of struggle with allergies and asthma, and then developed a strategy that should at least alleviate my suffering. In truth, I did not expect miracles. I just wanted to ease my torment and was afraid that the lungs “wheezing and hissing” in my chest would develop into something serious. Based on the results of a three-day self-treatment, I can say for sure: I am much better. I even went to work today with joy. For the first time in two weeks!  

So, I want to share with everyone who is experiencing something similar, easy and simple recipes for improving well-being. First of all, I’ll say: if you can go to a good doctor , go as soon as possible. But if this is not possible, then you will have to work. Simple rules will help you quickly recover and calmly survive the spring. 

Rule 1. Air and water. An allergic person needs fresh, moist air. But not every allergic person has money for air conditioners and humidifiers. Therefore, wet daily cleaning is a must. Doctors advise to remove carpets in the season of exacerbation. I decided not to touch my synthetic palace in the room, only now I clean it not only with a vacuum cleaner, but also with a damp cloth. When I finish cleaning, I hang a wet towel on the window and spray the curtains from the spray bottle. This is necessary not only to moisten the air, but also so that pollen flying from the street settles on a damp cloth and does not enter the room.  

Rule 2. To diets – no, to diets – yes. For myself, I decided: while I am ill, I will leave thoughts about a slim figure and restrictions on food. The diet for the sake of a figure is canceled, the diet for the sake of health is declared. Pah-pah-pah, I’m not allergic to food. But from childhood I remember the recommendations of doctors: no nuts, citrus fruits and chocolate. In addition, exclude citrus juices, soda and food coloring. It is advisable to temporarily abandon seasonings. Soups, cereals, vegetables and fruits are the perfect menu. During an exacerbation of the disease, an allergic person may not feel hunger. Therefore, I eat on a schedule and plan my diet in advance.   

Rule 3. Cleaning procedures. Allergy sufferers need to be cleaned not only from the outside, but also from the inside. The fact that clothes should be washed as often as possible (especially street clothes) is not worth talking about. But it’s necessary to say a few words about sorbents that can remove allergens from the body that enter the body through the air and with food. The simplest and cheapest option is activated carbon. Two tablets three times a day one hour before meals or one hour after. The minimum period of use is three days. The maximum is two weeks.    

Rule 4. On medicines and self-medication. Regardless of how I feel, I wash my nose with a small syringe. This procedure does not take much time, but should become a habit, like brushing your teeth. In truth, rinsing your nose is a science. Personally, I prepare a weak solution of sea salt and warm water. Then I clamp one nostril, enter the tip shallowly into the other and lean over the sink.  

This was taught to me many years ago in classes for allergy sufferers. Then I found out that in no case should you wash your nose sideways when washing your nose: water can get from your nose into your ears. Rinse your nose with saline solution cheaply and effectively, sinuses are cleaned of mucus and dust. By the way, the well-known drug “Aquamaris” works on the same principle. Only it costs much more. But it is quite suitable as an “office option” for cleansing the nose. 

Rule 5. Go to the doctor if possible. Allergy just does not disappear. And it is better not to postpone the treatment for later. If there is neither time nor money for treatment, then it’s good to at least take medications for allergies. Today in pharmacies you can buy inexpensive products that will help you overcome allergy attacks and prevent the occurrence of allergic asthma.  

I, like many allergy sufferers, have to lead a normal lifestyle, regardless of the time of year: the allergy has become permanent for me. Therefore, pills should always be near: squishy nose and red watery eyes are unlikely to help someone make a career. Unless to someone who does not have an allergy: against the background of a miserable and unhappy allergic person, anyone will look advantageous. 

And the last one. Runny nose, tears, and shortness of breath are not a sign of an allergy. Do not know the diagnosis – go to the doctor. You know – do not hang your nose and do everything possible so that spring, summer and flowers evoke only positive emotions! No matter how strong medicine is, recovery depends, first of all, on you and your desire to be healthy.