Seasonal allergy is a reaction of the human immune system to environmental stimuli that come into contact with the body at certain times of the year. This phenomenon is also called "pollinosis" (pollen), which means "pollen". The disease has long-standing roots: even the ancient Greeks (both ordinary people and members of the elite) suffered from ambrosia, which caused suffocation and skin rashes. Seasonal ragweed allergy is the scourge of modern society. This attractive bright green plant with carved openwork leaves is today the No. 1 enemy among representatives of a diverse flora.
Its tiny pollen is considered one of the most powerful allergens that can cause allergic reactions: just 25 grains of the substance per 1 cubic meter of air are enough. One plant is able to produce several million of these particles that can cause asthma in a person, a dangerous respiratory disease.
Historical background
Returning to history… Mention of a condition similar to seasonal allergies is found in the works of Claudius Galen, a Greek doctor. Association between massive coughing fits andflowering trees were also observed by the Dutch healer and naturalist Jan Baptist Van Helmont.
In 1819, the first descriptions of hay fever appeared - this is how the seasonal allergic reaction was officially designated by the English healer John Bostock, who associated it with such a provoking factor as hay. Half a century later, in 1873, his compatriot David Blackley proved that pollen is actually the cause of hay fever. After 16 years, at an open meeting of the Society of Russian Doctors, which took place in St. Petersburg, Dr. L. Silich spoke with information about hay fever, and for the first time, massive seasonal allergies manifested themselves in the 1960s on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. Its causative agent was ragweed, brought to Russia from the United States with wheat grains.
Today, according to official statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is familiar with seasonal allergies that do not distinguish people by age, gender and region of residence. The actual number of people suffering from hay fever is actually much larger and, despite significant advances in the study of ways to combat this disease, is growing inexorably every year. How to treat seasonal allergies?
Causes of seasonal allergies
The causes of hay fever, the provocateur of which is plant pollen and fungal spores (from 500 to 700 species), are:
- hereditary factor;
- compromised immunity;
- presence of chronic broncho-pulmonary diseases;
- the presence in the body of an allergy of anotherspecies (for food, medicines, chemical compounds);
- harmful working conditions;
- unfavorable ecological state of the external environment.
Which plants should be avoided?
Seasonal allergies are caused by plants that are unpretentious in terms of location and climatic conditions, but aggressive towards humans from an allergic point of view: maple, alder, oak, cypress, birch, ash, linden, willow, walnut, elm, hazel. From meadow grasses - timothy, alfalfa, clover during flowering. Rye, buckwheat, wheat, oats are cereals that provoke the occurrence of such a dangerous condition in a person as seasonal allergies. Ambrosia and mugwort pollen should also be avoided.
Change of seasons is also one of the causes of hay fever. The most acute disease manifests itself in the spring and autumn periods, in summer - much less frequently, in winter - extremely rarely. Seasonal allergies in August, the treatment of which is quite a lengthy process, may occur due to the flowering of the aforementioned herbs.
Spring allergy symptoms
Spring is the time of the awakening of nature and pollinosis at the same time. How seasonal allergies manifest:
- Eyes - redness, tearing, sensation of "mote", fear of light, itching.
- In the nose - runny nose, reduced sense of smell, sneezing, itching and stuffiness. The mucus secreted from the sinuses is characterized by a liquid, transparent consistency.
- In the respiratory system - shortness of breath, difficulty in inhaling, rapid breathing, asthma attacks (with pollenbronchial asthma), frequent, dry and exhausting cough.
Less often there is a rash on the body, urticaria, severe itching dermatitis in the form of dry or weeping blisters. Such physical manifestations are accompanied by weakness, headache, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, and in all respects resemble SARS, characteristic of this season.
The difference between a viral infection and a seasonal allergy is the absence of fever. With pollinosis, it is not. It is especially dangerous in children and the elderly, as it is characterized by latent symptoms at the initial stage and the rapid development of an exacerbation in the future.
Seasonal allergies, the treatment of which is quite a long process and requires a lot of patience, sometimes accompanied by migraine attacks, irritability, abdominal pain and nausea (when pollen enters the digestive system). Exacerbation of symptoms can be angioedema, which develops in about 10% of allergy sufferers and requires immediate medical attention. Also referred to as "Quincke's edema" or "giant urticaria", it is characterized by an abrupt onset, spontaneous course, unpredictable ending caused by swelling of the subcutaneous tissue, mucous membranes and skin. The upper body, neck and face are most commonly affected by this dangerous reaction.
Seasonal allergy of the spring period begins in early April, when birch and alder blossoms begin, and ends in May. By the way, birch pollen is capable ofspread over long distances. A person suffering from pollinosis sometimes comes to amazement, realizing that he is suffering from a birch allergen, while there are no white-bodied beauties nearby.
Wrong opinion about the harmfulness of poplar fluff as an allergen. Early-blooming poplars at the end of May cover the soil with white fluff, which is an excellent vehicle for the heavy pollen that settles from nearby trees. People who suffer from seasonal allergies generally begin to notice their symptoms about a week before rush hour. How to get rid of seasonal allergies?
Autumn hay fever
Autumn hay fever is caused by allergens that become active during this period of time:
- pollen from plants that bloom in the autumn season;
- mold fungi that appear at high humidity;
- variety of ticks.
Plant pollen enters through the human respiratory organs, forcing the immune system to actively produce antibodies. Their action is aimed at attacking foreign cells and causing the release of histamines into the blood, which, in turn, are the cause of various allergic manifestations. In addition to the main symptoms, autumn allergies can be manifested by itching in the mouth and throat, which in medical practice sounds like “oral allergic syndrome.”
Seasonal allergies in a child
Pollinosis in the children's population is quite common and can develop for reasons:
- hereditarypredisposition;
- viral and infectious diseases of the mother during childbearing;
- incorrect or untimely vaccination;
- artificially fed;
- contact with bacterial infections and virus carriers;
- lowered immunity;
- dysfunction of the digestive system.
In children, seasonal allergies, the treatment of which should have an integrated approach, can proceed non-specifically, representing a “disguised” pollinosis and expressed in:
- partial reddening of the eyes;
- pain and congestion in the ears;
- cough;
- The habit of constantly touching the nose.
The exact cause of this symptomatology can only be established by an allergist using special diagnostics that can determine a specific allergen.
Pollinosis or SARS?
Seasonal allergies, reviews of the treatment of which confirm its temporality, in some cases may still be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which greatly complicates the accurate diagnosis of the disease, since the observed clinical picture is very similar to SARS and acute respiratory infections, especially at the beginning illness. And the patients themselves, noticing a runny nose, headache, malaise, lack of a rash, mistakenly take allergic manifestations for a cold and are taken for self-treatment.
The consequence of uncontrolled use of drugs is the erasure of symptoms inherent in hay fever, complication of the course of the disease and manifestation by the bodymore aggressive reaction to the present inflammatory process.
Fever is most common in young children, along with hives and skin rashes. Also, seasonal allergies can be accompanied by feverish conditions, especially in babies 2-7 years old.
Diagnosis of hay fever
Identification of the root cause of seasonal manifestations of an allergic nature is carried out by interviewing the patient and comparing the timing of flowering of the carminative flora, which may have provoked the appearance of this disease. An allergist medical specialist conducts an examination of the respiratory system and nasal cavity, general clinical diagnostics with mandatory sputum and blood tests, allergy tests to identify the “culprit” of physical ailment, as well as consultations with a dermatologist, immunologist, ENT doctor, pulmonologist.
How to avoid allergies?
Seasonal allergies, the symptoms of which are sudden and dangerous, are a disease that must be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, the following recommendations take place:
- avoid and exclude contact with the allergen;
- take antihistamines;
- carry out specific immunotherapy, during which the body "learns" to resist the allergen less intensely.
It is not recommended to apply the method in a state of exacerbation, namely from the beginning of spring to the end of autumn. Winter is the most favorable time to receive a full course of treatment for such a dangerous disease as seasonal allergies.
Treatment, drugs
Therapy of seasonal allergies, the task of which is to reduce the brightness of symptoms and protect internal organs from the influence of allergens, depends on the period of its manifestation, the stage of the disease, and the individual specifics of the patient's body.
Official medicine recommends the use of a number of remedies that can effectively cure a disease such as seasonal allergies.
Treatment (drugs)
Antihistamines:
- 1 generation: Diphenhydramine, Chloropyramine, Pipolfen, Suprastin, Diprazine.
- 2nd generation: Khifenadine, Clemastine, Oxatomide, Azelastine, Doxipamine.
- 3rd generation: "Astemizol", "Acrivastin", "Norastemizol", "Terfenadine";.
- 4th generation: Loratadine, Cetirizine, Ebastin.
Their action is aimed at inhibiting the very initial stage of the body's immune defense against the allergen. Literally immediately after taking the drug, the discharge from the sinuses stops, their swelling decreases.
The most harmless and effective drugs are 3rd and 4th generation. Medicines are indicated throughout the entire flowering period of plants, even if there are no allergic symptoms. The positive features of antihistamines are the speed of action (up to 60 minutes), the high activation of their absorption by the digestive organs, and the lack of addiction.
- Vasoconstrictive, well suppressing the symptoms of rhinitis and normalizing the tone of the circulatory system. This is"Galazolin", "Sanorin", "Otrivin", "Oxymetazoline" - drugs that cause the neutralization of nasal congestion and get rid of allergic rhinitis. Duration of treatment - no more than 7 days. Next, the doctor should recommend a more effective remedy.
- Promoglycate sodium preparations, available in the form of sprays and drops for the eyes and nose, and prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. Reduce aggressive manifestations of the body's immune system in the nasal cavity and eyes.
- Glucocorticocosteroids. Prescribed in cases of ineffective action of antihistamine drugs. Used in a short course until the complete disappearance of acute symptoms; the treatment is gentle and gentle. Relieve inflammation quickly. These are Rhinocort, Baconase, Betamethasone, Nazacort, Sintaris.
Traditional medicine: recipes
Seasonal allergies in August, the treatment of which is effective with traditional therapy, is successfully treated with folk methods. It is recommended to use them only after consultation with the attending physician and only during the period of relief of the disease. Natural products should be used very carefully, as most of them are allergens.
Effective infusion based on the leaves and shoots of blackcurrant. Dried raw materials in the amount of 2 tablespoons are required to be poured with 1.5 cups of boiling water, insisted for an hour, filtered, diluted with boiled warm water to a volume of ½ liter. Take the infusion for a week, one tablespoon every 2 hours. This toolis aimed at activating the immune system and freeing the body of toxins.
Horsetail is characterized by a positive effect on the body. 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials should be poured with a glass of boiling water, left to infuse for half an hour, then strain. Drink throughout the day hourly. Then 2 days break. In total, horsetail tea should be taken for 2 weeks.
According to many who have recovered from pollinosis, fresh or dried figs, which must be taken daily, have a good effect.
The product causes the normalization of the digestive system, strengthening the immune system and activating the metabolism. Figs should be eaten on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast and dinner, one fruit each.
A good result is shown by such a medicine for seasonal allergies as celery root juice, which contains beneficial amino acids. The healing agent removes toxins, restores metabolism, and has a renewing effect on the composition of the blood. For the preparation of juice, you should choose a freshly picked root crop. The resulting composition to drink a teaspoon before meals for half a month.
A component of many traditional medicine recipes is honey. Allergists do not recommend treatment with such a pollen product that can cause an allergic attack. Even if no negative reactions were observed with the use of honey, it is possible that they may appear as a symptom.
Seasonal allergy treatment will show good results with regular use of proven recipes and great patience. Sometimes, in order to wait for a positive result, herbal preparations should be drunk for months, or even more. Relief of pollinosis symptoms may be observed after a few weeks, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and the intensity of the allergy.
Preventive measures
According to people who know firsthand with seasonal allergies, an important factor is the observance of preventive measures, namely:
- Avoid contact with provocative plants. During their flowering, if possible, you should rarely go outside, reduce walking time, especially on hot and windy days.
- Closing indoor windows and doors. Curtaining them with a transparent, damp cloth that absorbs pollen is effective.
- Thorough washing of hands and entire body after coming from outside.
- Move to places with humid air (vacation by the sea or river coast) during the period of active flowering of plants.
- Strengthen the immune system by consuming vitamin-containing preparations a few months before the flowering period.
