Seasonal Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Fight Them
Blossoming Plants in Spring and Summer: A Guide for Allergy Sufferers
Spring and summer flower blooms can be a nightmare for many allergy sufferers. Symptoms of hay fever, common allergens, and recommended actions — let's dive in with RIA Tomsk's compilation.
Hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen from trees and grasses, is called pollenosis. It's easy to confuse an allergy with acute respiratory illness (ARI).
During pollenosis, allergy sufferers may experience runny nose, conjunctivitis or rhino conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma caused by pollen. Common symptoms include drippy, clear nasal discharge; nasal congestion, persistent coughing, redness, itching, watery eyes, and nose-throat drainage. Doctors often classify pollenosis as a hereditary disorder.
Allergy symptoms typically start in the spring, as early as April, under warm weather conditions. The primary source of allergens is pollen from wind-pollinated plants and trees.
Tips for Managing Allergies during Blooming Season
Upon allergy detection, seeking medical attention is crucial. A specialist in allergy and immunology will identify allergens, prescribe medications, and offer guidance.
During the blooming season of pollen-inducing plants, reducing contact with pollen is essential. This includes spending less time outside, avoiding outdoor trips, keeping windows closed, installing home air purification and filtration systems, and performing daily wet cleaning.
Upon returning home, taking a shower, washing your head, and changing clothes is crucial to remove pollen. Additionally, doctors recommend gargling with saltwater, eye rinsing with saline solution, and avoiding certain foods, such as nut-laden fruits, seeds, green veggies, spices, alcoholic beverages, and raw vegetables, as they may contain molecules related to allergens.
Medical Treatment and Management
Hay fever can be effectively managed. The first step is discovering the cause of the allergic reaction. One of the most effective treatment methods, according to medical professionals, is allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT).
ASIT consists of administering increasing doses of the allergen to which the patient has shown heightened sensitivity and is responsible for clinical symptoms. ASIT changes the way the body responds to allergens. This long-term treatment takes up to five years but can induce long-term remission.
During hay fever treatment, healthcare providers may also prescribe anti-inflammatory and antihistamine (anti-allergy) medications.
Complied from open-source materials
Enrichment Data:Limiting Exposure to Allergens:
- Avoid Peak Pollen Times: Pollen counts are highest in the morning. Limit outdoor activities during these periods.
- Use Protective Gear: Wear a mask and goggles outdoors during gardening or yard work.
- Avoid Stirring Up Pollen: Avoid activities like lawn mowing, weeding, or other outdoor tasks that could stir up allergens.
Maintaining Indoor Air Quality:- Close Windows and Doors: Keep windows and doors closed to minimize allergens entering your home.- Use Air Conditioning and HEPA Filters: Utilize air conditioning and install HEPA filters in heating and cooling systems. Use a portable HEPA purifier in your bedroom.- Vacuum with HEPA Filters: Regularly vacuum floors and rugs with HEPA-equipped vacuums.
Personal Hygiene:- Shower and Change Clothes: Regularly shower and change into clean clothes after spending time outside to remove pollen.- Wash Laundry Indoors: Avoid drying clothes outdoors; wash and dry laundry indoors instead.
Monitoring Pollen Levels:- Check Pollen Forecasts: Use apps or check local weather reports to stay informed about pollen levels in your area.- Plan Outside Activities Wisely: Schedule outdoor activities after heavy rainfall, which can help decrease pollen levels.
Medication and Treatment:- Pre-medicate Before Outdoor Activities: Consider taking allergy medications before engaging in outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.- Seek Medical Advice: For consistent or severe symptoms, consult with an allergist or healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options.
Understanding Allergies:
Allergies, particularly hay fever, can be triggered by pollen from spring and summer blooms. This pollen-induced allergy is referred to as pollenosis. It's essential to distinguish allergies from acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs).
Allergy symptoms may include runny nose, conjunctivitis, rhino conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma. Symptoms can also manifest as drippy, clear nasal discharge; nasal congestion; persistent coughing; redness, itching, and watery eyes; and nose-throat drainage.
Allergies often commence in the spring, as early as April, under favorable weather conditions. Wind-pollinated plants and trees are the primary sources of allergens.
Managing Allergies During Blooming Season:
Upon allergy detection, it is crucial to seek medical attention. Specialists in allergy and immunology can identify allergens, prescribe medications, and offer guidance.
Reducing contact with pollen is vital during the blooming season of pollen-inducing plants. This includes minimizing outdoor activities and avoiding outdoor trips, keeping windows closed, installing home air purification and filtration systems, and performing daily wet cleaning.
Upon returning home, taking a shower, washing your head, and changing clothes is crucial to remove pollen. Other recommendations include gargling with saltwater, eye rinsing with saline solution, and avoiding certain foods that may contain molecules related to allergens, such as nut-laden fruits, seeds, green veggies, spices, alcoholic beverages, and raw vegetables.
Medical Treatment and Management:
Allergy-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is one of the most effective treatment methods for managing hay fever. ASIT works by changing the body's response to allergens and could induce long-term remission after five years.
Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine medications may also be prescribed during hay fever treatment.
Additional Measures:
Limiting exposure to allergens can help manage symptoms. It is advisable to avoid peak pollen times, use protective gear during outdoor activities, and avoid stirring up pollen.
Maintaining indoor air quality is crucial. This can be achieved by closing windows and doors, using air conditioning and HEPA filters, vacuuming with HEPA filters, and regularly showering and changing clothes after spending time outside.
Monitoring pollen levels through apps and local weather reports can help plan outdoor activities wisely. Pre-medicating before outdoor activities may also be beneficial when pollen counts are high.
For consistent or severe symptoms, seeking medical advice from allergists or healthcare providers is essential for personalized advice and treatment options.
Compiled from open-source materials
Enrichment Data:
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