Happy Monday boys and girls. Today’s installment of Ask Vesta involves a tale of sinus betrayal…

Dear Vesta,

I just started seeing a girl and after we made out my sinuses got clogged, much like they do when my allergies (hay fever) are bad, within about 30 minutes. The thing is, I had a similar reaction when I had made out with my previous girlfriend too. Having now happened with multiple partners at different points during the year, I’m starting to worry I’m just allergic to other people’s saliva generally. Am I a freak or is this something you’ve heard about happening?

Sincerely,

The French Congestion

*****

Dear Congested,

Technically, yes you could be allergic to someone’s saliva, at least that’s what the interwebs tell me.

However.

I googled your predicament, and most of the instances I read about pertaining to allergic reactions to someone’s saliva involve breaking out in hives, not clogged sinuses. Also, if you have food allergies, read this. So, before we assume you’re allergic to swapping spit, let’s run through a few things…

You wrote this has happened previously, has it occurred with every person you’ve ever made out with, or only some of them? Are the only symptoms hay fever-like, or are there other indications of an allergic reaction?

Let me state that I’m not a doctor, so the following is only my speculation -

Are you sensitive to products? Detergents, perfumes, etc.? Because women wear all sorts of shit – hair products, perfume, scented powders and lotions, and don’t even get me started on face products. Most makeup primers, for example, contain silicone. Lip plumpers contain all sorts of irritants, and lip glosses often have mica as an ingredient to add a bit of sparkle. I personally am quite sensitive to perfume, so my immediate reaction to your dilemma was to think perhaps it isn’t the lucky lady’s saliva you are allergic to, but her fragrance, or face lotion? And if that’s the case, I’m not sure how you would go about testing which of her products might be the culprit, especially since the relationship is new. My advice? Take a Benadryl next time you have the opportunity make out, and make sure it’s a non-drowsy formula. Falling asleep mid-kiss wouldn’t be looked on kindly by your new lady friend.

Best of luck!!

*****

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