WHAT IS POLLINOSIS

Almost a quarter of the world’s population suffers from this disease. Doctors call it pollinosis or hay fever.

There are several peaks of the disease.

As a rule, spring allergies are the most noticeable . The aggravation begins at the end of March and continues in April-May. Trees and bushes begin to bloom, grass and weeds make their way out of the ground. Pollen from flowering is carried by the wind for many kilometers and settles on the mucous membranes of a person. Through them, it enters the bloodstream and begins mass sneezing, runny nose, cough and other delights of allergies.

From the point of view of physiology, sneezing and mucus are aimed at protecting the body, their purpose is to “wash out” the irritant, not to let it inside the body.

It is especially difficult in dry windy weather. Rain is a lifesaver for pollen-sensitive patients, as it washes away major irritants and purifies the air.

SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGY TO POLLEN (HOLLINOSA)

Symptoms of a pollen allergy are:

• Runny nose
• Choking cough with wheezing
• Itching and redness of the eyes
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• lacrimation
• Headaches. Migraine
• Seasonal bronchial asthma.

In some cases, a severe runny nose provokes inflammation of the maxillary sinuses (sinusitis). Upon contact with the surface of the skin, pollen can cause a rash and, in severe cases, even Quincke’s edema.

August-September is also considered a dangerous period. During these months, weeds “dust” – wormwood, ragweed and other multicolor plants. Doctors advise using invisible nasal filters that trap allergens, at least to get to your destination. They can be purchased at pharmacies.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM MANIFESTATIONS OF HOLLINOSIS

Methods of struggle can only be:

• compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, diet
• measures aimed at increasing immunity, if we are talking about minor manifestations of an allergy to plant pollen
• it is not recommended to dry washed clothes outside, because pollen will settle on them
• make it easier for allergy sufferers to take a shower twice a day
• avoid walking in forests and parks, especially in dry windy weather
• try not to open windows at work and at home during the peak of flowering.

In difficult cases, if the symptoms distract you from your usual way of life, you must agree to medical treatment.

TREATMENT OF HOLLINOSIS

Depending on the severity, this may be:

• The use of special creams, ointments, solutions for the treatment of skin rashes.
• The use of therapeutic aerosols for injection into the respiratory tract.
• Use of saline solutions to wash and clean the sinuses.
• The use of antihistamines and hormonal drugs.
• Use of nose filters.

also, in severe manifestations, allergen-specific immunotherapy is used (gradual introduction into the patient’s body of increasing doses of the extract of the allergen to which the patient has hypersensitivity and which is responsible for the clinical manifestations of the disease is the cause of the disease) [5].

MAIN PLANTS CAUSING ALLERGY (HOLLINOSIS)

Allergic reactions are caused only by plants that are pollinated by the wind. They can be divided into three groups:

• trees and shrubs (for example, poplar, birch, hazel) – they cause a spring wave of allergies
• wild cereals (for example, wheatgrass) and cultivated (rye, corn) – the cause of the spring-summer exacerbation of hay fever;
• weeds such as ragweed and wormwood have the most pronounced allergenic activity.

To be armed, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the names of some of the culprits of spring allergies.

Trees: alder, ash, aspen, beech, willow.

Herbs and weeds: timothy, fescue, foxtail, bluegrass, rye, sunflower, corn; ragweed (the most powerful allergen), wormwood, quinoa, nettle, white quinoa and others

It will be difficult for you to determine the main allergen for you, but if you know the flowering time of insidious plants, you can find out which one provoked the ailment.

 Allergy to poplar fluff. Contrary to popular belief, poplar fluff itself is not an allergen and cannot cause unpleasant symptoms other than physical ones (sticking to the face, getting into the eyes). Down is a powerful carrier of plant pollen and other allergens. Despite its weight and structure, it carries allergens over long distances. Therefore, even if there are no poplars in your area, you are still not protected from allergic manifestations.

To protect yourself from poplar fluff, hang doors and windows with fabrics soaked in water. Wipe the floor often. And when you come into the house from the street, rinse your nose with saline solution (0.5 tsp per glass of water) or buy ready-made at the pharmacy. Please note that during the rinsing procedure, the nose must breathe, otherwise inflammation of the inner ear (otitis media) can be provoked. Use vasoconstrictor drops.

   Do not forget that an effective course of treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy should be carried out at least one and a half months before flowering.

During this period, it is recommended to pay special attention to nutrition. Stick to a hypoallergenic diet. Eliminate fried, spicy, spices, seasonings, fatty meats, sweets from the diet, even if you have no food allergies.

Non-traditional methods of treatment, especially taking preparations based on honey, herbs can only worsen the situation.

To establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, be sure to consult a doctor.