How to overcome pollen allergies - prevention and treatment

General information about allergies and pollens

An allergic reaction occurs due to pollen entering the body. The allergen penetrates the respiratory tract, causing unpleasant symptoms until the flowering season ends.

Pollen allergies are divided into three seasonal types:

1. Spring (April-May): pollen-bearing trees are the causative agents of the disease. Most often, allergies are caused by birch.
2. Summer (June-August): allergens are carried by cereals.
3. Autumn (August-October): the reaction is caused by weeds. Their influence is the most dangerous. Allergenic weeds: ragweed, wormwood, sorrel, dandelion, coltsfoot. Mostly, unpleasant symptoms are caused by wheatgrass.

The wind carries pollen hundreds of kilometers in one day. Therefore, it is not uncommon for allergies to manifest themselves far from the source of the reaction.

Around June, a lot of poplar fluff flies around. People with grain allergies often mistakenly assume they are sensitive to fluff. An allergy to poplar fluff is usually very mild.

Causes of pollen allergies

Hay fever, or, as it is also called, hay fever, begins to manifest itself already at the end of March, when the first trees begin to bloom. The disease is seasonal. If it is not treated correctly, hay fever can develop into a chronic year-round form of bronchial asthma. To protect yourself, you need to know when and which plants are provocateurs.

Allergies manifest themselves in the form of a rash on the body, nasal congestion and watery eyes. You can often find a patient with a high body temperature and headache. Sudden attacks of suffocation and shortness of breath may occur. Ignoring such symptoms will lead the patient to anaphylactic shock. First I would like to mention the trees. They begin to bloom earlier than everyone else. The most common allergens include birch, alder, hazel, poplar and apple. When you discover your allergen, you should think about the cross-reactions that are sure to arise.

Among the causes are many cereal plants. These include the following:

Very often, allergies are caused by the bloom of weeds such as ragweed, quinoa or wormwood. The pollen of these plants is the most allergenic.

Scientists have proven that residents of large industrial cities suffer from hay fever 6 times more often than residents of rural areas.

This is due to the fact that a large concentration of various harmful substances is formed in the air due to emissions from enterprises that harm the immune system. And pollen contaminated by all these emissions is many times more dangerous than in its pure form. It has also been found that those flowers that are pollinated by bees rarely cause hay fever. And roses are not a source of allergen at all. Therefore, having received a bouquet of roses as a gift, do not rush to throw it away.

To protect yourself from the disease, it will be useful to know the flowering periods of plants:

Hereditary predisposition plays a huge role. Children whose mothers suffered from the disease during pregnancy are at particular risk. Therefore, in the first months or even years of a child, it is necessary to carefully monitor all the reactions of his body in order to begin treatment for allergies at its initial stage.

Interesting scientific information

The first recorded peak of the disease dates back to 1914. In a southern village in France, most of the population developed allergy symptoms. Research was carried out and the provocateur of the disease was calculated. Since then, pollen allergy - hay fever - has been widely known.

In Russia, a large-scale hay fever disease occurred in the 1960s, when ragweed was brought from America. Today, about a quarter of the country's population suffers from unpleasant symptoms of pollen allergy.

This is interesting! According to the results of studies and surveys, patients with hay fever over 14 years of age are predominantly girls, and those under 14 years of age are predominantly boys.

Mechanism of the reaction

An allergic reaction occurs due to excessive sensitivity to pollen. The smallest particles settle on the nasal mucosa and enter the bloodstream. Special receptors react to allergens, as a result of which immune cells are included in the reaction. Immunoglobulin E is produced and histamine is released. A specific substance reduces the strength of blood vessels and dilates capillaries. They are found in large quantities in the nose and eyes - allergic runny nose and lacrimation occur.

Main manifestations

How does the disease manifest itself? The first signs appear in children aged 5-6 years: the eyes begin to itch, sneezing and a runny nose appear. The reaction can be diagnosed by the following symptoms:

• swollen eyelids;
• burning “inside” the eyes;
• itching in the nose, reaching the bridge of the nose;
• sore throat;
• bouts of sneezing accompanied by strong mucus discharge;
• pain when pressing on the maxillary sinuses.

Unlike conjunctivitis, allergies affect both eyes and are accompanied by profuse runny nose and sneezing.

If a reaction is severe, the following symptoms may appear:

• pain, congestion and crackling in the ears;
• discomfort while chewing;
• nausea, vomiting.

As soon as the flowering season ends, the disease goes away.

Pollen allergies vary in severity. The reaction depends on the amount of pollen that gets on the mucous membranes. If a large amount of the allergen is inhaled, a severe form of the disease may develop. If a person feels that breathing is difficult and a lump appears in the throat, you should immediately call an ambulance.

Important! Almost half of people with bronchial asthma suffer from pollen allergies.
Patients should be especially careful and follow all preventive measures to avoid hay fever.

Complications

If hay fever is not treated, sooner or later it can develop into bronchial asthma, which is a life-threatening disease. Bronchial asthma greatly impairs the quality of life and is difficult to cure. Therefore, treatment for hay fever should be started as quickly as possible.

Also, complications of allergies can develop: Quincke's edema and allergic urticaria. Diseases such as migraine or pollen epilepsy may appear on the nervous system. If pollen enters the gastrointestinal tract along with food, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and hives may occur. If pollen particles enter the bloodstream, they can cause a reaction similar to rheumatism - joint pain.

Laboratory diagnostics

At the initial visit, the doctor conducts examinations. A general blood test is taken from the patient, the level of immunoglobulin E is determined. Based on the results of the first analysis, the specialist studies the number of eosinophils - an increased level of these blood particles indicates that the body is susceptible to allergic reactions. The presence of immunoglobulin E in the blood means that an allergy is present and developing at the moment. The doctor can determine what stage the disease is at.

After positive results of blood tests, the allergist determines the provocateur of the disease using special studies. In the case of pollen, a test injection is carried out: a small dose of various allergens is injected under the skin, the injection sites are marked with numbers and the reaction is observed. In the place where the skin was inflamed, itching and burning appeared and an allergic reaction occurred.

Important! Before identifying the causative agent of the disease, the allergist must ask the patient in detail about complaints, the course of pollen allergies and other related information. Only after this can a specialist make a correct diagnosis.

Treatment regimen

The best treatment for hay fever is to avoid contact with pollen as much as possible. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, so it is important to know the scheme for getting rid of the unpleasant manifestations of the disease. It is impossible to cure pollen allergies with medications. The drugs are used to alleviate the general condition in the acute period of pollen allergy. For hay fever, the doctor prescribes the medications described below:

1. Antihistamines (Claritin, Tavegil, Diazolin, Suprastin, etc.). The active ingredients stop the release of histamine for a certain period of time. Basically, the drugs act for 24 hours, then you need to take the pill again. In acute stages of the disease, antihistamines are administered intravenously.
2. Vasoconstrictor medications are a kind of “first aid” for hay fever. They are released in the form of nasal drops, usually sprays. The active substances enter the nasal cavity by injection and provoke a narrowing of blood vessels. Due to this, swelling and congestion go away and breathing becomes easier.
3. For allergic conjunctivitis, the allergist prescribes a solution of albucid. Drops are necessary to get rid of itching and lacrimation, as well as to avoid a purulent process.

The doctor should choose medications based on the characteristics of each patient’s disease. Independent selection of funds may not only be less effective, but also ineffective.

If the dosage is incorrect, the patient's condition may worsen.

Allergy patients are often prescribed a course of specific hyposensitization. During the period when hay fever subsides, the patient receives a minimum dose of purified allergen. The body can adapt to such amounts of pollen and produce specific antibodies. The next season the reaction will appear weaker or not occur at all.

How to treat

Hay fever should be treated, first of all, by eliminating or minimizing contact with sources of allergens.
Treatment should be carried out in combination with preventive measures. When symptoms appear in adults and children, therapy is prescribed aimed at restoring respiratory function, reducing mucus, and relieving swelling of the mucous membranes:

1. Antihistamines that prevent and relieve the symptoms of hay fever. Treatment medications and dosage are prescribed by the doctor.
2. Agents that constrict blood vessels, relieve swelling of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, and relieve nasal congestion.
3. Albucid solution.

Allergens that have already entered the body can be removed using treatment with activated carbon or enterosgel.

The doctor may also prescribe specific hyposensitization - a type of treatment during remission. The body begins to become accustomed to small doses of allergens. Treatment should be done in a course that lasts from several weeks to several months. The allergist should monitor the therapy.

Traditional medicine for allergies recommends eating bee bread.

First aid at home

The main manifestation of the disease is constant bouts of sneezing, which cause severe mucus production. Since pollen enters the body through the nose, regular rinsing will help relieve the condition. For the procedure, you can use purified water or a pharmaceutical solution of sodium chloride. The liquid is injected into the nostril with a special watering can or micro-enema, tilting the head to the side. If the angle is correct, the liquid will flow out through the other nostril. Water is poured alternately into both nostrils, then the nose is cleared. During this procedure, pollen is partially washed out of the sinuses. Such washings are harmless and can be done as many times as necessary.

Important! If you suspect a pollen allergy, you should consult your doctor. He will prescribe blood tests and give a referral to an allergist-immunologist who can accurately determine the allergen.

Preventive methods

Prevention of hay fever and other types of allergies can be divided into two groups. The first group of measures should be performed by people suffering from any type of allergy, but who have not encountered hay fever. This also includes people whose work provokes the appearance of pollen allergies: beekeepers, gardeners, those who often come into contact with flowers and plants. The prevention scheme for these individuals is as follows:

• limit contact with various common allergens: chemical components of the products used, dust, exhaust gases;
• adhere to a healthy lifestyle: get rid of bad habits, eat right, follow a daily routine.

These simple rules will help people susceptible to hay fever reduce the chances of developing a pollen allergy.

In order to avoid pollen allergies, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle. For those who suffer from pollen allergies, the prevention scheme is different. This group includes people who experience hay fever every season. By following a number of preventive methods, you can reduce the chance of the disease occurring. The activities described below should be performed by patients regardless of location at any time of the year:

• constantly ventilate the room;
• regularly carry out wet cleaning;
• Store books, feather pillows and other things that quickly accumulate dust in specially designated places (for example, books in a closed cabinet, pillows in covers);
• remove carpets; they accumulate a lot of dust, which is difficult to get rid of even by wet cleaning with a special vacuum cleaner;
• limit the amount of furniture and items lying on open shelves - cleaning should be quick and uncomplicated so that it can be carried out regularly;
• use perfumes and chemical air fresheners only when absolutely necessary;
• do not have pets, as wool is a strong allergen;
• avoid the appearance of mold in the bathroom, on the walls and ceiling, remember that in the off-season the risk of fungus increases significantly;
• If mold appears, thoroughly treat it until it disappears completely.

You should also know a number of simple measures that are important to observe on the street:

• people with sensitivity to sunlight should wear sunglasses when going out in clear weather;
• do not drive in vehicles with the windows open, so as not to inhale exhaust fumes;
• Viral diseases must be treated on time.

Taking into account all the rules described above, patients with hay fever will be able to alleviate the course of the disease and not provoke a reaction to the “new” allergen.

Before seasonal allergies, you can take special medications - Intal and Zaditen.

The drugs strengthen the cells that are responsible for the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators. If you take a course of medications on time, the symptoms of hay fever will be very weak or will not occur at all.

Symptoms and clinical signs of hay fever

The symptoms of an allergic reaction are the response of the human body’s immune system to the introduction of foreign substances into its possession, which are represented by plant pollen.

When the allergen interacts with cells of the immune system, antibodies are activated, releasing histamine. It is this special protein that is the causal factor in the manifestation of an allergic reaction. Regardless of the area of ​​occupation of the allergen, pharmacology identifies the main group of hay fever diseases, namely:

Allergic rhinitis

This disease is manifested by swelling of the nasal mucosa, which is accompanied by:

• Congestion of the nasal passages;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Characteristic attacks of prolonged sneezing;
• Itching of the transitional area of ​​the nose to the pharynx;
• Painful sensations in the maxillary sinuses;
• Headaches.
• In addition to impaired respiratory function through the nose, the patient may feel:
• Nausea, turning into a gag reflex;
• Pain near the ear area;
• Nonspecific crackling in the ears.

The ratio of damage to the paranasal sinuses and the mouth of the auditory tubes of the ear with hay fever is 50 to 50. As the pollen disappears in the air, such symptoms weaken and then disappear.

Allergic conjunctivitis

This is the most common disease, affecting about 90% of all patients with hay fever. With allergic conjunctivitis a person:

• Feels dryness and burning under the eyelids;
• Spontaneous lacrimation;
• Redness of the eyeball;
• Swelling of the eyelids;
• Negative reaction to bright light.

Now let's take a short break and digress into the theme of the holiday.

And so, it’s your anniversary! Summer! Wonderful! Guests, gifts, a huge number of flowers, and among them your favorite wildflowers! The holiday was a success like never before, the guests left, you placed flowers throughout the house, put your little son to bed.

At night you wake up due to the crying of a child, nothing seems to portend trouble. Walking into your child’s room, you notice that he turns away from the bright light and rubs his reddened eyes with his hands. What to do?

Urgently remove all flowers from the apartment, even if you like them very much, the child’s health is more important! Try to calm the child down, wash his eyes with boiled water, put anti-inflammatory drops in them, and in the morning immediately see an allergist!

Atopic dermatitis

Every fifth patient with hay fever experiences symptoms of atopic dermatitis in the form of:

• Inflammatory changes in the skin, dryness, redness, peeling;
• Intense skin itching;
• Bright red rashes that appear as spots or oozing blisters;
• Sleep disturbances, irritability.

People with increased innate sensitivity of the body, an imbalance in the protective properties of the skin and immune functions are more susceptible to atopic dermatitis.

Special diet

Before prescribing a nutritional plan, it is important to determine which group of plants the patient is allergic to. If you follow a special diet, the symptoms of hay fever will be less pronounced. In addition, consuming unwanted foods can lead to allergies to them.

If there is a reaction to tree pollen, the following foods should be excluded from the diet:

• Birch juice;
• cherries;
• peaches;
• carrot;
• pears;
• tomatoes;
• nuts;
• plums

If you have a reaction to grains, avoid the following foods:

• porridge;
• muesli;
• bread and buns;
• pasta;
• kvass, beer;
• beans;
• corn;
• peanut;
• citrus;
• strawberries;
• sorrel.

Before purchasing medications or cosmetics, it is important to study the composition of the product. If it contains cereal herbs, the product cannot be used.

When the reaction is caused by weeds, exclude from the diet:

• honey;
• sunflower seeds;
• oranges, lemons,
• watermelons, melons;
• greenery;
• caraway;
• pharmaceutical herbal preparations.

The consumption of these products by patients with hay fever can cause a worsening of the condition.

Also, if you have a pollen allergy, you should be wary of cross-reactions. They occur when the body interacts with substances similar in composition to allergens. Often they are nothing like the provocateurs of the disease. A similar set of amino acids causes the body to “get confused” and begin a reaction. To relieve unpleasant symptoms, patients need to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet. The above-described products, as well as strong allergens: eggs, mushrooms, chocolate, seafood, canned food and tropical fruits, are excluded from the diet.

You need to add the following products to your diet:

• lean meats;
• kefir, cottage cheese, natural yoghurts;
• dried fruits.

When hay fever begins, a hypoallergenic diet will significantly improve the patient’s well-being in a short time.

Treatment of pollen allergies in children

When treating allergies in children, the first step is to go to the doctor. An allergist will help you correctly identify the allergen through some tests. Since some drugs are contraindicated for children of different ages, only a doctor will select the correct therapy. Parents need to reconsider their child’s diet, because pollen causes cross-reactions with foods:

Hay fever during pregnancy

Women's immunity is greatly reduced during pregnancy. This happens so that the body does not reject the fetus as a foreign object. Any disease during this interesting period is dangerous with complications, since the body does not make enough efforts to recover. Hay fever during pregnancy is dangerous due to the following complications:

• sinusitis;
• otitis;
• dermatitis;
• tracheitis;
• migraine;
• convulsions.

In addition, pollen allergies have a negative effect on the fetus. After birth, the baby will most likely be susceptible to allergic reactions.

When a woman suffering from hay fever becomes pregnant, she must strictly adhere to the following rules throughout the entire gestation period:

• upon arrival home, immediately change clothes;
• wear sunglasses in clear weather;
• in windy weather, wear a medical mask;
• periodically rinse your nose with salt water;
• strictly follow a hypoallergenic diet;
• do not use herbal preparations;
• avoid stress, depression;
• keep the house clean;
• treat respiratory diseases immediately.

Before planning a pregnancy, a woman who suffers from seasonal allergies should visit a doctor and have skin tests performed. It is not recommended to carry out this diagnosis during pregnancy.

How to treat hay fever for expectant mothers? The doctor prescribes appropriate medications: third-generation antihistamines (Claritin, Telfast) and nasal sprays (for example, Cromohexal).

Treatment

There is still no method that eliminates the disease 100%.
But you can try to minimize its manifestations. A fairly effective and popular method is medication. Today, pharmacies offer a huge number of antiallergic drugs, varying in the speed of action and the number of side effects. Antihistamines are used only in courses. First of all, such well-known remedies as:

• claritin;
• Zyrtec;
• cetrin;
• erius, etc.

The above drugs do not affect the nervous system and have no significant side effects. The advantage of antihistamines is that they act quickly. The downside is that they don't work for long. You have to take pills regularly and they do not eliminate the problem, but simply stop the symptoms for a while.

For mild allergies, eye drops, aerosols, and nasal sprays are used to relieve nasal congestion and swelling of the eyes. To eliminate accumulated toxins (decomposition products), enterosorbents are prescribed - Polysorb, activated carbon. These drugs remove harmful radicals and reduce the effect of allergens.

Glucocorticosteroids are used to eliminate severe allergic reactions. They act very quickly and effectively. However, the list of side effects of glucocorticosteroids includes the development of diabetes mellitus, stomach ulcers, increased blood pressure, calcium leaching, and weight gain. Therefore, it is advisable to consult an allergist regarding the dosage of medications.

ASIT

A more modern and effective method of treating severe seasonal allergies is ASIT - Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy. The method consists of long-term introduction of certain doses of allergens into the body: in the first 4 months the doses are gradually increased, and then the maintenance phase begins, when the same doses of the allergen are introduced for 3 years in a row.

After a full course of ASIT, the patient begins a long-term remission. The allergen is administered in 2 ways - subcutaneously and sublingually (under the tongue). Subcutaneous injections are made into the outer surface of the shoulder, and sublingual medications are taken by the patient himself. ASIT allows you to completely relieve the symptoms of hay fever and prevents the disease from progressing to asthma. It is important to start treatment early in hay fever and not stop taking your medication.

Children's hay fever

How to treat pollen allergies in a child? It is especially unpleasant when symptoms of the disease appear in children. To treat a reaction in a child, his interaction with the provocateur should be limited as much as possible. To do this, during the period of pollen allergies, you need to limit the time you walk in strong winds and give preference to indoor games. To remove the uncomfortable manifestations of the reaction, the doctor prescribes medications approved for children: tablets and sprays. The child will feel better if he follows a special diet. Pollen allergies in children are often inherited from their parents.

Pollen allergies should be treated promptly. By following a number of preventive measures and a hypoallergenic diet, you can improve the patient’s condition during seasonal allergies and reduce the chance of a reaction to other allergens.

Cross allergy

Any causally significant allergen can cause anaphylactic reactions in a person, so it is very important to follow an individual hypoallergenic diet during the dusting period. During dusting, allergy sufferers should avoid products that cross-react with pollen allergens. How can I explain what this is?

For example, a person has been suffering from an allergy to birch blossoms for many years and suddenly develops similar symptoms after eating apples and pears. The reason for this phenomenon is that the genetic structure of many food and inhalant allergens is similar. Because of this similarity, the immune system confuses pollen, for example, with similar molecules in foods.

For example, if the main allergen is birch, alder or elm pollen, then apples, apricots, cherries, kiwis, peaches, carrots, potatoes, etc. are associated with it. That is, sooner or later the body may produce an allergic reaction when eating these products. Many medical sources publish special tables in which different allergens are collected based on the similarity of symptoms. Those with pollen allergies should be sure to familiarize themselves with the counterparts of their allergens in order to prevent the development of an acute form of allergic reactions.