finding relief in the winter

As someone who suffers from seasonal allergic rhinitis, the warmer months are pure torture for me. From spring through fall, my allergies are in constant attack mode. My nose is constantly stuffed up, I'm sneezing non-stop, and it even leads to nasty skin rashes breaking out. Breathing is a struggle, and it seriously impacts my quality of life.

But then winter arrives, and it's like I've been given a new lease on life. I feel relief as soon as the temperatures drop and the leaves fall from the trees. My symptoms calm down dramatically almost overnight. I can breathe freely again without issue. My skin clears up from hives and rashes. The cold air feels refreshing, flowing through my lungs rather than irritating them. I no longer need to rely on medications, especially montelukast, just to get through each day.

So, while most people lament the arrival of cold weather, I relish the seasonal change. The promise of fading allergies gives me something to smile about as fall fades into winter's slumber.

image: remix of a flork of cows comic panel.