Seasonal allergy is a reaction of the human immune system to stimuli of the surrounding world that come into contact with his body at certain times of the year. This phenomenon is also called "pollinosis" (pollen), which means "pollen." The disease has long roots: the ancient Greeks (both ordinary people and representatives of the elite) suffered from ragweed, which caused suffocation and skin rashes. Seasonal allergy to ragweed is the scourge of modern society. This attractive bright green plant with carved openwork leaves is today the enemy No. 1 among representatives of a diverse flora.
Its tiny pollen is considered one of the most powerful allergens that can cause
allergic reactions: only 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 humans - a dangerous
disease of the respiratory tract.
Historical reference
Returning to history ... Mention of a condition similar to seasonal allergies is found in the works of Claudius Galen, the Greek doctor. The connection between massive coughing attacks and flowering trees was 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 linked it with such a provoking factor as hay. Half a century later, in 1873, his compatriot David Blackley proved that the cause of hay fever is actually pollen from plants. After 16 years, at an open meeting of the Society of Russian Doctors in St. Petersburg, Dr. L. Silich made information about pollinosis, and for the first time a mass seasonal allergy manifested itself in the 1960s on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. Its causative agent was ragweed, brought to Russia from the United States with wheat.
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, in fact, is much larger and, despite significant advances in studying 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;
- weakened immunity;
- the presence of chronic bronchopulmonary diseases;
- the presence in the body of another type of allergy (for food, medication, chemical compounds);
- harmful working conditions;
- unfavorable ecological state of the environment.
Which plants should beware?
Seasonal allergy is caused by plants that are unpretentious to the location and climatic conditions, but are aggressive towards the person from an allergic point of view: maple, alder, oak, cypress, birch, ash, linden, willow, walnut, elm, hazel. Of meadow grasses - timothy, alfalfa, clover during flowering. Rye, buckwheat, wheat, oats - crops that provoke the emergence of a person in such a dangerous condition as seasonal allergies. The ragweed and wormwood pollen should also be avoided.
The change of seasons is also one of the causes of hay fever. The disease is most acute in the spring and autumn, in summer - much less often, in winter - extremely rare. Seasonal allergies in August, the treatment of which is a fairly lengthy process, may occur due to the flowering of the above herbs.
Spring Allergy: Symptoms
Spring is a time of awakening of nature and hay fever at the same time. How does seasonal allergy manifest:
- Eyes - redness, lacrimation, sensation of "mote", fear of light, itching.
- Nose - runny nose, decreased smell, sneezing, itching and nasal congestion. Mucus secreted from the sinuses is characterized by a liquid, transparent texture.
- In the respiratory system - shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, rapid breathing, asthma attacks (with pollen bronchial asthma), frequent, dry and exhausting cough.
Less commonly, a rash on the body, urticaria, severely itchy dermatitis in the form of dry or weeping vesicles are observed. Such physical manifestations are accompanied by weakness, headache, increased fatigue, loss of appetite, and in all respects resemble SARS characteristic of this season.
A distinctive feature between viral infection and seasonal allergies is the absence of elevated body temperature. 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 exacerbation in the future.
Seasonal allergy, the treatment of which is a rather lengthy process and requires considerable patience, is sometimes accompanied by migraine attacks, irritability, abdominal pain and nausea (when pollen enters the digestive system). An aggravation of symptoms can be angioedema, which develops in about 10% of allergic people and requires immediate medical attention. Named differently as “Quincke’s edema” or “giant urticaria”, it is characterized by a sharp onset, spontaneous course, unpredictable termination caused by edema of the subcutaneous tissue, mucous membranes and skin. Most often, the upper body, neck and face are affected by such a dangerous reaction.
The seasonal allergy of the spring period begins in early April, when the flowering of birch and alder begins, and ends in May. By the way, birch pollen can spread over long distances. A person suffering from hay fever is sometimes amazed, realizing that he suffers suffering from a birch allergen, while white-trunked beauties are not observed nearby.
The opinion about the harmfulness of poplar fluff as an allergen is erroneous. Blooming early poplars in late May cover the soil with white fluff, which is an excellent mobile means of heavy pollen settling from trees growing in the neighborhood. People suffering from seasonal allergies, for the most part, begin to notice its manifestations about a week before rush hour. How to get rid of seasonal allergies?
Autumn hay fever
The cause of autumn hay fever is the allergens that are activated during this period of time:
- pollen of plants blooming in the fall season;
- mold fungi, appearing with high humidity;
- a variety of ticks.
The pollen of plants through the respiratory organs of a person gets inside, forcing the immune system to actively produce antibodies. Their action is aimed at attacking foreign cells and causes the release of histamines into the blood, which, in turn, are the cause of various allergic manifestations. In addition to the main symptoms, autumn allergy can be itchy in the mouth and throat, which in medical practice sounds like an “oral allergic syndrome”.
Seasonal allergies in a child
Hay fever in the children's population is quite common and can develop for reasons:
- hereditary predisposition;
- viral and infectious diseases of the mother during the bearing of the baby;
- incorrect or untimely vaccination;
- artificial feeding;
- contact with bacterial infections and virus carriers;
- low immunity;
- digestive system dysfunction.
In children, seasonal allergies, the treatment of which should have an integrated approach, can be non-specific, representing a “masked” hay fever and expressed in:
- partial redness of the eyes;
- pain and stuffiness in the ears;
- coughing
- the habit of constantly touching your nose.
The exact cause of this symptomatology can only be determined by an allergist by using special diagnostics that can determine a specific allergen.
Hay fever or SARS?
Seasonal allergy, the reviews of the treatment of which confirm its temporality, may in some cases be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which makes it difficult to accurately diagnose the disease, since the observed clinical picture is very similar to acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, especially at the beginning of the disease. Yes, and the patients themselves, noticing a runny nose, headache, malaise, lack of rash, mistakenly take allergic manifestations for a cold and are taken for self-treatment.
The consequence of uncontrolled administration of drugs is the erasure of the symptoms inherent in hay fever, complication of the course of the disease and the manifestation by the body of a more aggressive reaction to the present inflammatory process.
Elevated temperature is most often observed in young children, along with the manifestation of urticaria and skin rash. Also, seasonal allergies can be accompanied by febrile conditions, especially in babies 2-7 years old.
Diagnosis of hay fever
The root cause of the seasonal manifestations of an allergic nature is identified by interviewing the patient and comparing the timing of flowering of the carminative flora, which possibly provoked the appearance of this disease. A specialist allergist examines the respiratory system and nasal cavity, general clinical diagnosis with mandatory tests of sputum and blood, an allergy test to identify the “culprit” of physical ailment, as well as consultations with a dermatologist, immunologist, ENT doctor, pulmonologist.
How to avoid allergies?
Seasonal allergy, the symptoms of which are sudden and dangerous, is a disease that needs to beware as much as possible. Therefore, there are such recommendations:
- 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 use 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, stage of the disease, and the individual specificity of the patient's body.
Official medicine recommends the use of a number of agents that can effectively cure a disease such as seasonal allergies.
Treatment (drugs)
- 1st generation: “Diphenhydramine”, “Chloropyramine”, “Pipolfen”, “Suprastin”, “Diprazin”.
- 2nd generation: Hifenadine, Clemastine, Oxatomide, Azelastine, Doxipamine.
- 3rd generation: “Astemizole”, “Akrivastin”, “Norastemizole”, “Terfenadine” ;.
- 4th generation: “Loratadin”, “Cetirizine”, “Ebastin”.
Their action is aimed at inhibiting the very initial stage of the body's immune defense against an allergen. Literally immediately after taking the drug, discharge from the sinuses stops, their swelling decreases.
The most harmless and effective drugs are 3 and 4 generations. Medicines are indicated throughout the flowering period of plants, even if allergic symptoms are absent. 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 absence of addiction.
- Vasoconstrictive, well suppressing symptoms of rhinitis and normalizing the tone of the circulatory system. These are "Galazolin", "Sanorin", "Otrivin", "Oxymetazolin" - medicines that neutralize nasal congestion and get rid of an allergic rhinitis. The duration of treatment is no more than 7 days. Next, the doctor should recommend a more effective remedy.
- Sodium Promoglycate preparations, produced in the form of sprays and drops for eyes and nose, and prescribed by a doctor for the treatment of conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis. Reduce the aggressive manifestations of the body’s immune system in the nose and eyes.
- Glucocorticosteroids. Prescribed in cases of ineffective antihistamines. Used in a short course until the acute symptoms disappear completely; the treatment is mild and gentle. Quickly relieve inflammation. These are Rinocort, Bekonase, Betamethasone, Nazacort, Syntaris.
Traditional medicine: recipes
Seasonal allergy in August, the treatment of which is effective with traditional therapy, is successfully treated with alternative methods. It is recommended to use them only after consultation with the attending physician and only during the period of easing the disease. Use natural remedies very carefully, since most of them are allergens.
Effective infusion based on the leaves and shoots of black currant. Dried raw materials in the amount of 2 tablespoons must 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 tool is aimed at enhancing immunity and freeing the body of toxins.
A positive effect on the body is characterized by horsetail. 2 tablespoons of dry raw materials need to pour a glass of boiling water, leave to brew for half an hour, and then strain. Drink throughout the day hourly. Then a 2 day break. In total, horsetail decoction should be taken within 2 weeks.
According to the reviews of many cured of hay fever, fresh or sun-dried figs, which are required to be taken daily, have a good effect.
The product determines the normalization of the digestive system, strengthening immunity and enhancing metabolism. Figs should be eaten on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast and dinner, one fruit at a time.
Such a cure for seasonal allergies as celery root juice, which contains beneficial amino acids in its composition, shows a good result. The healing agent removes toxins, restores the metabolism, has a renewing effect on the composition of the blood. For the preparation of juice, you should choose a freshly picked root crop. Drink the resulting composition a teaspoon before meals for half a month.
A component of many recipes of traditional medicine 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 when using honey, it is possible that they can manifest 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 the symptoms of hay fever can be observed after several weeks, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and the intensity of the allergy.
Preventative measures
According to reviews of people who know firsthand the seasonal allergy, an important factor is compliance with preventive measures, namely:
- Avoid contact with provocative plants. During their flowering, if possible, you should rarely go outside, reduce the time for walking, especially on hot and windy days.
- Closing windows and doors indoors. They are effectively curtained with a transparent, damp cloth that absorbs pollen.
- Thorough washing of hands and the whole body after coming from the street.
- Moving to places with moist air (vacation by the sea or river coast) during the period of active flowering plants.
- Strengthening immunity by consuming vitamin-containing drugs a few months before the flowering period.