Allergy to orchids: what in the flower can cause it, what are the symptoms of the malaise, can a child or an adult have it, how can it be treated with folk remedies?

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Kira Stoletova

Plant pollen, especially indoor pollen, is a strong allergen for people with hypersensitivity. An allergy to an orchid is a rare occurrence; the flower itself is not considered an irritant. An orchid is allergic only in rare cases, often due to concentrated treatments.

Does an orchid cause allergies?

Causes of allergies

Basically, an allergic reaction is caused not by the flower, but by the substances used to care for the crop. But if a person’s body is severely weakened, then an allergy will appear to the plant itself.

It is possible to determine whether there is a reaction to a flower only if the symptoms appear after contact with the plant. Causes of allergies also include:

• genetic predisposition;
• individual intolerance.

Allergy is an immunopathological process that is expressed by the hypersensitivity of the body's immune system upon contact with an allergen. In the case of an orchid, pollen and plant sap can cause allergies.

Experts believe that the risk of hypersensitivity to the flower is more pronounced:

• The child has;
• in an adult who takes medications;
• for allergy sufferers;
• for pathologies of the nervous and endocrine systems.

Often it is the child who develops an allergy to the orchid, but only after repeated contact. First, sensitization, or specific sensitivity, is formed.

Can an orchid cause an allergic reaction?

One of the most popular tropical flowers is the delicate and bright orchid, especially from the Phalaenopsis genus. It is often given as a gift in bouquets, the plant is used for the design of residential premises and offices, and grown in greenhouses and greenhouses. But for a number of people, when this southern guest appears nearby, their health worsens and a negative reaction of the immune system begins.

Can you be allergic to an orchid?

This phenomenon is rarely observed. In most flowering plants, pollen is easily transferred by even a small amount of air circulation. When it enters the respiratory tract it causes allergies.

In orchids, pollen grains are glued together into a dense pollinium. Only insects can become carriers, and free spread is excluded.

Therefore, these colors are preferred by people suffering from allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.

Unpleasant consequences can occur if a person tries to smell the flower or frequently comes into contact with it during the care process. Juice that comes into contact with the skin during cutting or replanting a plant can cause a reaction.

Compositions for feeding and spraying can also be allergenic, and hypersensitivity occurs not only from the product in general, but also from its individual components.

For example, the prepared soil (substrate) for orchids contains highly allergenic components such as nut shells, coconut fibers, polystyrene foam, sphagnum moss, particles of synthetic substances, etc.

When a provoking substance enters the body, the protective functions of the immune system are activated. There is an increased production of immunoglobulin E and the hormone histamine. As a result, rashes, cough, mucus from the nose and other allergic symptoms appear.

The risk of developing pathology increases if:

• already have allergic diseases;
• there is a hereditary predisposition to them;
• endocrine disorders, diseases of the digestive and nervous systems, and persistent infections are observed;
• a person is forced to take medications frequently;
• the number of orchids in a room where people are constantly present exceeds all reasonable standards.

Traditional methods

They must be used with caution. Various herbs themselves can cause allergies, which will only worsen the patient’s condition. It is advisable to first get the go-ahead from your doctor.

Recipes:

1. 2 tsp. pour boiling water (200 ml) over yarrow. Wait half an hour. Take the strained infusion one third of a glass three times a day.
2. Combine celery juice from fresh root in equal proportions with pumpkin or green apple juice. Drink 100 ml three times a day before meals.
3. Leave 100 g of starch to swell in cold water. Then dilute the mixture in a bath with warm water and lie there for a quarter of an hour.
4. Pour boiling water over the bran and wait until it steams. Drink a glass of clean water and eat bran instead of breakfast. The course is at least 10 days.
5. After cleansing, lubricate the nasal mucosa with a thin layer of olive oil.
6. Grind raw potatoes. Without squeezing the juice, wrap the pulp in gauze and put it on your eyes for a quarter of an hour. The product will relieve swelling and itching.

Symptoms

Orchid has a negative effect on many people

Symptoms manifest differently in each person. It depends on the body’s tolerance to various irritants. The main symptoms of an orchid allergy:

• frequent headaches
• rhinitis, often occurs along with lacrimation;
• redness of the eyes;
• bronchospasm, causing a sore throat;
• tingling in the lips;
• rashes, spots.

Some patients also experience symptoms such as ear congestion and a rise in body temperature. If you stop contact with the irritant, the patient feels a noticeable improvement.

Symptoms of bronchospasm include:

• dizziness;
• frequent shortness of breath;
• difficulty breathing;
• feeling of lack of air;
• dry cough or wheezing.

The allergic crop also causes blisters on the skin, which cause itching and swelling. It lasts for a couple of hours, progresses with an increase in temperature and an increase in the area of ​​the infected area.

Preventive measures

Preventive measures will help eliminate possible allergic manifestations, for this :

• The room with orchids is periodically ventilated;
• Clean the room with a damp cloth;
• Pots with orchids are not placed in the bedroom or near the workplace;
• They use minimal chemicals to care for and feed the orchid, while wearing personal protective equipment (gloves, respirator).

If these measures do not have the desired effect, then the orchid should be removed from the apartment , because health is more valuable.

Treatment

The main thing in treatment is eliminating the allergen or contact with it. If an allergic reaction has led to complex consequences, you should start taking medications: Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil or Peritol.

Some experts recommend rinsing the nasal mucosa with saline to combat rhinitis. In the early stages, the immune system is strengthened using allergen-specific immunotherapy. The causative allergen is introduced into the body in the form of a specially prepared drug.

To combat a runny nose, take the following medications:

• Avamis;
• Fexofenadine;
• Claritin.

They can be taken by both children and adults. And the drug Diphenhydramine is prescribed if a person experiences itching or sneezing. Steroid tablets are used to remove swelling.

It will take about 14 days to ensure complete recovery. Also, for treatment, experts suggest going on a small diet these days. It excludes foods that often provoke adverse immunological reactions:

• oranges, tangerines;
• all types of nuts;
• strawberries, strawberries.

You should also avoid spicy seasonings and fried foods.

Antihistamines are used to treat and even prevent such diseases. For symptoms related to the eyes, use:

• Patanol;
• Zaditor;
• Optivar.

Also, to get rid of orchid allergy symptoms, they use traditional medicine - chamomile tincture. It is poured with boiling water and kept for 20-30 minutes. Take 2-3 tbsp. spoons per day.

Before using any of these medications, you should consult your doctor.

How to treat

Effective treatment for an allergy to phalaenopsis orchid is not only about taking pills that eliminate symptoms, because the most important thing is to improve the functioning of the immune system. It is reduced by taking strong medications, antibiotics, vaccinations, poor nutrition, and a passive lifestyle. You can take vitamin complexes. If the symptoms are very painful, you will need drugs that relieve them: Eden, Fenistil, Fenkarol, Cetrin, Erius, Tavegil, Suprastin, Telfast, Setastin, Trimistin, Fexodenadine, Loratadine, Semprex, Parlazin, Loragexal, Prednisolone, Xyzal, Pipolfen, Letizen, Lordestin, Mizolastin, Clarisens, Lomilan, Claritin, Zyrtec, Ketotifen, Zaditen, Cromohexal, Zodak, Advantan, Gismanal, Dexamethasone, Avamis, Diazolin, Aleron, Akrivastin and others like that.

But remember that eliminating the symptoms does not solve the problem itself. This can only be achieved by improving the functioning of the immune system and comprehensive cleansing of the body, which should include fasting days. 50% of success is to change your diet, replace the usual with a healthier one, which will include the maximum amount of fruits, vegetables, clean water, and cereals. You should exclude sweets, fatty, fried, spicy, salty foods, as well as allergenic foods: chocolate, citrus fruits. Taking these tips into account, soon orchids will no longer cause allergies, and you will be able to enjoy a normal life with wonderful aromas and wonderful flowers.

Prevention

For prevention, you should follow the recommendations:

• do not place the flower in the bedroom or nursery;
• carry out regular wet cleaning;
• ventilate the room every day;
• do not use chemical fertilizers for the plant;
• When feeding, be sure to wear gloves and a respirator.

In the room where there is a flower pot, you should not turn on the split system, because the phytoncides will reach their objects faster with the air. You need to purchase an air humidifier for your apartment, which will eliminate dryness, which is one of the reasons for the transfer of viruses and allergens.

To reduce sensitivity to viruses and allergens, experts recommend strengthening your immune system. Monitor your diet and lifestyle. To remove pollen that comes from the street into the apartment, use wet gauze. It is folded several times and hung on the window. When it dries, spray with water again.

Diagnostics

The basis for the assumption that it was orchids that caused the allergy is a survey of the patient. It is important to clarify when the symptoms were first noticed, to assess the likelihood of a connection with the plant or replacement of the substrate, feeding, method of care and other factors.

Laboratory methods

Various options for testing blood and nasal discharge are used; tests are carried out such as:

1. Determination of hemoglobin, red blood cells, leukocyte count.
2. Detection of antibodies to pollen or other suspected provocateurs (ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, etc.).
3. Microscopy of nasal discharge.

Laboratory diagnostics are quite informative, but specific tests that give an idea of ​​the presence of antibodies are high in cost. And more accessible, general tests do not allow us to judge the specific causes of the development of pathology. Therefore, it is worth planning a research algorithm after a thorough interview with the patient (collecting an anamnesis) so that the range of searches for allergens is narrowed as much as possible.

Skin tests

They are performed in specialized rooms or in a hospital under the guidance of trained medical personnel. The goal is to identify signs of a reaction in direct contact with a provoking factor (pollen, sap, etc.). For this:

• the time for the procedure is selected;
• the suspected allergen is applied to the skin;
• At the same time, a test is given with controls - negative (normally not giving symptoms) and positive (to which a reaction will definitely occur);
• notes are made;
• The patient is being monitored.

If the skin in the area of ​​​​contact with the test allergen turns red, itches, or a blister appears, you can think about the presence of individual sensitivity.

Tests are not carried out during the acute course of the reaction - several weeks must pass after its completion to obtain adequate results.

Also, tests should not be scheduled during deterioration of the condition due to chronic diseases, infections, or for persons over 60 years of age. A few days before the procedure, you should stop taking antihistamines.