My papa (a male supporter) has severe hay fever but still goes on dates with me even though he looks really unwell. I want to do something to help him.

I suffer pretty badly too, so I really understand how miserable it can be. Laser treatment didn’t work for me. As for sublingual immunotherapy, the only medication currently available is for cedar pollen. My score was higher for cypress pollen, and my doctor told me there’s also a chance it might not cure me even after about three years of treatment, so I decided not to try it. I’ve heard that steroids and steroid injections are effective, but people often say they’re bad for your body, right? I only take oral steroids as needed, when things get especially severe. My wife had chronic allergies, so I found a doctor who could perform surgery to cut the nerves that detect allergic symptoms in the nose, introduced her to him, and she went through with it. It isn’t covered by insurance and costs quite a bit. She stayed in the hospital for a day, and apparently they made an incision inside her nose and cut the nerves—or something like that. The surgery was successful, and she’s now living comfortably. She was scared because she couldn’t taste anything for about three months, but apparently it gradually came back. Success isn’t guaranteed, but if your symptoms are severe, it might be worth considering.

Sublingual immunotherapy is a good option. You take a cedar pollen extract tablet once a day, every day, for about three years. It requires patience and commitment, but it almost completely eliminated my symptoms. Some ENT clinics offer this treatment, so it’s worth finding one and making an appointment.

For medical advice, please consult a doctor. I don’t think allergies can be cured, but I’ve heard of a treatment that uses a laser to cauterize the nasal lining.