Before you get too direct and ask her out, float a conversation about relationships in general. Start the conversation with normal small talk about her day or how she's doing, but then ask how her relationship is going. Relationships are a normal subject of conversation, so she shouldn't be too suspicious if you keep it light and friendly. Use this talk about relationships to bridge towards asking her out. If you find that she’s in a relationship but it’s either not serious or not very happy, try to be bold and ask her out. This method takes some guts, because you have no idea how she’ll react, or what the outcome will be like, but it’s worth it because she may say yes.  Say: “Hey, I know that you’re in a relationship, but I get the feeling that it’s not serious/not going well. Would you want to go on a date with me? I promise not to make any moves or disrespect your relationship. I just want to get to know you better." This method places emphasis on the quality of her relationship, and hints to her that you may be better for her. For another angle, try saying: “I know this is really forward, and I know that you’re seeing someone already. But would you like to go on a date with me? I think you’re great.” This choice leaves out everything about the quality or seriousness of her relationship, and simply lets her know that you’re interested in her regardless of her relationship status. Make sure not to be too disparaging towards her partner. Not only will this be questioning her taste in people, but if she has feelings for them, you could seriously offend her. Tell her that you know that she has a partner, and that you don't want to get in the way if it's serious, but that you'd like to get to know her better. Instead of asking her out, try writing down your number and giving it to her. This makes your intentions pretty clear, but saves you the trouble of trying to find the perfect way to ask her out. You'll only have to pass her the number and tell her to call you sometime. She may get in touch with you when things get rocky with her other half, or she may start texting or talking to you immediately to get to know you. Sometimes, you may not have to make the first move. If you start talking to a girl that you know has a significant other, she may still flirt with you or make it clear that she’s interested in you. In this case, let her bring up a date. Ask her: “Are you busy after school?” Or “When do you get off work?” These questions are open ended and allow her to propose a time for you to meet up and get to know each other.

Summary: Talk about relationships. Ask her out. Acknowledge her relationship. Try giving her your number. Let her bring it up.


This will lower your body’s response to the allergen, which can reduce your swelling. You can find an antihistamine over-the-counter, but your doctor could also prescribe one that best fits your needs.  Some antihistamines cause drowsiness, may be fast acting, and can be taken in different doses. For daytime use, choose one that is labeled as non-drowsy. For example, cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), and fexofenadine (Allegra) are all popular non-drowsy options that also give you 24-hr relief from allergy symptoms. Be sure to follow all of the instructions on the packaging. Don’t take an antihistamine for longer than a week without talking to your doctor. Talk to your doctor before taking an antihistamine. A cool compress, such as an ice pack, will reduce your body’s inflammatory response. This will reduce both your swelling and pain. Don’t put ice up against your skin without first wrapping fabric around it. Otherwise, you could damage your skin. Unfortunately, these items can cause allergic reactions in some people. Even common over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can trigger some people. Get your doctor's approval before you start taking it again. This will help open your airways. However, if you have trouble breathing, then it’s important that you see the doctor immediately.  Get emergency treatment if you’re having trouble breathing. The active ingredient in an Epipen is epinephrine, which is a type of adrenaline. It can help relieve the symptoms of your allergic reaction fast.  After you administer the medicine, visit your doctor immediately. If your doctor has not prescribed an Epipen for you, visit an emergency room, where they can administer the medication.

Summary: Take an antihistamine. Apply a cool compress to the area for up to 20 mins at a time. Stop taking any medication, supplement, or herb not prescribed by a doctor. Use your inhaler if you have one and experience throat swelling. Use an Epipen for emergency situations.


You might be tempted to turn to social media when you feel lonely, but it is better to call someone or speak to someone face to face when you need social interaction. Social media may seem like a good substitute for human interaction, but it can increase feelings of isolation. If you need someone to talk to, then call a friend or go somewhere where you can talk to people. If you have difficulty getting out or making friends, then you may try to find substitutes for human interaction, like watching TV. But watching TV when you feel lonely instead of spending time with people can make matters worse. Try to limit yourself to an hour or two of television per day and do not use it as a replacement for interacting with other people. Having a drink by yourself now and then is not a problem, but using alcohol to cope with being alone can cause major problems for you. You should not need to drink or use other substances to make alone time bearable. If you are relying on alcohol (or drugs) in order to deal with being alone, then you should seek some help from a mental health professional. Being alone and being lonely are two different things. Being alone just means that no one else is around, while being lonely is when you feel sad and/or anxious because you want to interact with other people.  During alone time, you should feel content and comfortable. When you are feeling lonely, you may feel depressed, hopeless, or like you are an outcast. If you are feeling lonely because of too much alone time, then you may want to speak to a therapist about these feelings. It might help you to remember that it is normal to be a little afraid of spending time alone. People crave human contact, so spending time alone may not always seem like a fun prospect. That is why it is important to find a balance between being alone and seeking appropriate interactions. Keep in mind that it is normal to feel a little fearful of alone time, but it is unhealthy to avoid it all the time. If you think that you have an extreme fear of being alone, then talk to a therapist about ways that you can overcome this fear. While it is important to maintain your good relationships, you should let go of any relationships that are unhealthy or that make you feel unhappy. Some people stay in unhealthy relationships out of a fear of being alone, but doing so may be more harmful than helpful.  If you are in a relationship that makes you unhappy, but you are afraid to end it because you don’t want to be alone, talk to someone who can help. Arrange to meet with a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, or a counselor to discuss your situation. Make sure that you grow and maintain your support network. Part of dealing with being alone is having a solid support network of friends and family that you can turn to when you need help. Look for ways to meet new friends and maintain your current friends, such as taking a class at your gym, meeting up with a friend for coffee, or joining a special interest group in your area.
Summary: Seek out people when you need to talk instead of turning to social media. Watch television in moderation. Limit your use of alcohol when you are alone. Learn the difference between being alone and being lonely. Remember that fear of being alone is normal. Seek out healthy relationships and let go of unhealthy ones.