I have been living with severe seasonal allergies for as long as I can remember. While in the military, I moved around a lot. The Southern United States was the worst for me. While living in Mississippi, I was taking a nasal steroid and prescription antihistamines. While living in Idaho, I received an allergy test. They had a large stamp with dozens of needles. Each needle had been dipped in a different allergen. They then stamped my forearm and I waited about 30 minutes to find out what I was allergic to. Any dot that bubbled up, was something I was allergic to. I remember, my forearm looked like a mountain range by the time I was done! That was 15 years ago. They didn't really tell me what I was allergic to, but they did give me prescriptions to take daily. While pregnant with my first child, I ate a handful of tree nuts, which I hadn't done since I was a child. I had an allergic reaction and had to take Benadryl. My whole mouth and throat swelled up.
After my son was born, I found out he had severe peanut allergies, so I carry an Epi-Pen around with me everywhere I go. I am afraid to use it, but I will if I have to. I usually just give him Benadryl and watch him to make sure he is not having breathing problems when he does ingest a peanut. Be very careful around Halloween time and check all the candies before they can eat them. We usually trade our candies that contain peanuts with other kids non-peanut candies. That way, everyone is happy!
I recently moved to Northern Virginia and my allergies have been out of control since the beginning of February. I haven't stopped coughing or draining mucuos since then. I went to a Minute Clinic where they prescribed Nasonex and Cherutusin for my allergies. The next week, it was in my lungs also, so I went to a primary care doctor who told me I had bronchitis and told me to keep taking the medicine that I received a week ago and wait it out. A week later, I went to an ENT, who prescribed a steroid pack and antibiotics. It really helped with the itching and swelling, but once I was done, all the symptoms came back and got worse everyday. About a week after I finished my steroids and antibiotics, my throat swelled almost completely shut and was so itchy, my sinuses were constantly full, my voice was completely gone, my ears were completely full and I woke up in the middle of the night unable to catch my breath. My husband brought me to the ER where they ran alot of tests. They said it was not strep, flu or pneumonia. I still had a sinus infection and my allergies were awful. I received a breathing treatment (albuteral), stronger steroids and stronger antibiotics and a take home albuteral inhaler. I am coming to the end of the steroids and I am really worried that it will happen again and my husband will be on a business trip and I will not make it to the hospital. I am in complete misery. People avoid me because they think I am sick. We had to leave Easter Mass early because I couldn't stop coughing. It is completely taking over my life. I don't want to live like this. I want to feel like a human being again, who can take my kids on walks and go to the playground with them. Another thing, I have not been able to sleep well. I have been averaging 2-5 hours of sleep a night and it is getting worse. I feel like a zombie all day.
Tomorrow morning, I am going to an allergist to have allergy tests done. I really hope they will be able to help me. I have heard that allergy shots help. Even though it is a long process with frequent appointments for shots, I will take that over the way I feel now. I really hope they can help me and start giving me the shots.
I will let everyone know how the appointment goes and if they are able to help. If anyone has questions or comments, please respond to this post.
You may think since we have had temperatures dipping below freezing a few times already that all of the pollen is gone. It takes a week-long frost to kill off all the pollen outside. 
