Dating and Seasonal Allergy Attacks

Key Points

• Allergy attacks can often strike out of nowhere, catching you off guard and potentially ruining a romantic moment. Be prepared.
• The key is to collaborate with your allergist to develop a tailored treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and triggers.
• Allergy shots are very effective for environmental allergies but can take almost a year to have a noticeable effect and require several years of treatment for a cure.

It's a scenario you may have experienced: the perfect date takes an unexpected turn as you're engulfed in an allergy attack.

You're both enjoying each other's company, the chemistry is undeniable and you're invited up to their apartment. You settle into the couch, not realizing cats have spent the day there cleaning themselves and—BOOM!—out of nowhere, it hits you. A full-blown allergy attack.

As your eyes start to itch and turn a shade of crimson, you find yourself sneezing uncontrollably just as the wheezing sets in.

Feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable, your partner asks, "Are you allergic to my cats?"

Your answer is probably not going to be great for your long-term romantic prospects.

Worse still, it's late and the drugstores in the area are all closed for the night. As you're mentally calculating the co-pay at the emergency room, you're beginning to get the feeling that this is not going to be the cheap date you hoped it would be.

Preventative care is best

Allergy attacks can often strike out of nowhere, catching you off guard and potentially ruining a romantic moment or an important business meeting. The best strategy is, to borrow from Boy Scouts of America, to be prepared.

There are numerous over-the-counter and prescription medications available to help prevent and manage various allergy symptoms. The key is to collaborate with your allergist to develop a tailored treatment plan based on your specific symptoms and triggers.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend a series of weekly allergy shots to boost your immunity to certain allergens, offering long-term relief and preventing these unexpected allergic reactions.

"One of the most effective treatments for environmental allergies is nasal sprays. Because nasal sprays directly target the symptoms where they start, which is the inside of the nose, they are often very effective," said Dr. Shuba Iyengar, allergist and chief medical officer of Allermi.

"In addition, they tend to cause fewer side effects than an allergy pill because they rarely cross into the bloodstream," lyengar said.

Recommended

• The Facts About Allergies: Find out how allergies affect your sexual health.
• Diagnosing Allergies to Improve Sexual Health: When your sexual health begins to droop, it may finally be time to see an allergist.
• What Are Women's Top Dating Icks?: Got the ick? Here's everything you need to know about women's most common dating turnoffs.

Let's talk about it

One crucial aspect of preventing dating disasters related to allergies is communication. If you have a known allergy that could lead to a harmful or even life-threatening reaction, share this information with your partner.

While seasonal allergies typically present with moderate symptoms, they can sometimes escalate into more severe complications like asthma attacks.

If you're starting to date a new partner, talk about your allergies, but also find out if there's anything they have you need to know about. Don't confine that conversation to allergies. Share any health details especially those related to sexually transmitted infections.

Of course, you know that. It's a new relationship, so communicating with your partner is essential for any healthy relationship to flourish.

Dining out with allergies

A common scenario where allergies can transform a successful date into a healthcare disaster is having little control over what's happening in the kitchen.

To prevent any unexpected allergic reactions during a romantic dinner, follow these precautions:

• Call ahead: When making a reservation at a restaurant, don't hesitate to inform them of your allergies. Most establishments are more than willing to accommodate your needs and can provide you with a customized menu or suggest safe dishes.
• Ingredient check: If you're unsure about the ingredients in a dish, don't hesitate to ask your server for clarification. It's always better to double-check than to risk an allergic reaction.
• Accessible medication: Regardless of how cautious you are, accidents can happen. Always have your allergy medication—from antihistamines to an EpiPen—handy, just in case.

Planning outdoor adventures

It may sound obvious but there's nothing like an outdoor activity to tempt the hand of fate and stir up an allergy attack.

Here are three strategies to ensure your outdoor dates are allergen-friendly:

• Pack the essentials: If you're heading outdoors, don't forget to bring sunscreen, insect repellent and allergy medication.
• Research, research, research: Before planning an outdoor activity, research the location to see if there are potential allergen triggers. For example, if you have pollen allergies, choose a park or trail with fewer allergenic plants.
• Timing is everything: Consider scheduling outdoor activities during times of year when allergen levels are lower. Also, think about the time of day—for example, pollen counts tend to be lower in the late afternoon or early evening as compared to early morning.

The bottom line

Incorporating these tips into your dating routine can help you create memorable moments without the worry of unexpected allergy reactions.

If allergies are a recurring issue you may want to consider allergy shots but it will be a commitment.

"Allergy immunotherapy is a long-term treatment for environmental allergies given in the allergist's office," Iyengar said. "This involves getting small amounts of what a person is allergic to weekly for several months, then monthly for several years."

Allergy shots are very effective for environmental allergies but can take almost a year to have a noticeable effect and require several years of treatment for a cure.

Remember, a little planning and communication go a long way to ensure that your dates are as enjoyable as they are allergy-free. Have a happy Summer!