Allergies

There are some people out there that have more allergies then me. Some people can't even eat the food I eat practically everyday, whether it is fruit, wheat, peanuts, or milk. Others have problems with hay fever or have simple allergies to some kinds of flowers or plants. Others have allergies to bees, hornets, spiders, and other bugs.

I don't really have any food allergies. I can't eat MSG. But that really should not be in our food to begin with. And I might get a weird reaction to a spider bite, but bees and hornets cause no reaction what so ever. My biggest problem is with plants. Every spring when the trees start flowering I get totally stuffed up. My eyes will get puffy and I stop breathing through my nose. This does not really end until the first frost. And if there is mold problems somewhere forget it. I've kind of gotten used to not being able to use my nose.

There are two plants that I really wish I was not allergic to: lavender and Easter lilies. Yes I'm allergic to lavender. It is the only think that I have ever gotten hives from. Its not easy being allergic to lavender either, it shows up everywhere. People seem to think that it is calming and soothing, and thus it needs to be in everything. Shampoo, soap, laundry detergent, perfume, candles, you name it. It might be calming and soothing to you, but to me it is just plain bad.

Easter lilies are not as bad. I have never gotten hives from them. Also most other kinds of lilies are not as bad, I get a little stuffed up, but that is it. My dislike of them has nothing to do with the holiday either. Easter is perhaps one of my favorite church holidays. I grew up helping out at the Easter Pancake breakfast, which meant a early morning and a ton of fun. But actually sitting through a Easter Sunday service is hard for me. Why? Because every church I have ever been to for Easter Service, feels the need to have umpteen million white lilies up front. I guess they look pretty.

I don't want to make this a complaining post, rather I tell you all this because I need you to understand my allergies so I can ask a question. I went to the Flower Show on Saturday and I survived. Through all the bundles of lavender, through all the lilies and who know what other flowers. Sure I was a little stuffed up by the end of the day, but I felt fine without having to take any medication. I figured I had gotten away unscathed. So Sunday when my one eye lid looked a little dry, I did not think anything of it. And Yesterday when it felt scratchy, I did not think anything of it. Today, its puffy, dry, itchy, and just plain annoying. My question is: Is this a delayed reaction to all the wonderful flowers I was around Saturday? Or am I reacting to something else?