Runny nose

How to survive seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies - features and prevention Seasonal allergies in children medications

Prevention of scoliosis.

Make sure your student wears the backpack with the straps on both shoulders. During a break between lessons, invite your child to walk around with a book on his head, imagining himself as a sultan. Monitor the height of the table and chair, as well as the firmness of the mattress on which your child sleeps.

While healthy children enjoy the warm sun and collect bouquets of spring flowers, children with allergies suffer from painful symptoms of hay fever.

Causes of allergies in spring

Hay fever is a seasonal (spring) allergic reaction of the body to flowering plants.

The cause of allergies in the spring is the penetration of allergens into the child’s body.

Plant pollen gets on the skin, the mucous membrane of the eyes and respiratory tract (nose, larynx). Penetrating into the body, allergens irritate the immune system, promote the production of antibodies, and the release of histamine and other biologically active substances into the blood. As a result, symptoms of hay fever appear.

What is the source of spring allergies?

More than 100 types of plant allergens can cause an allergic reaction! Most often, allergies occur to the spring flowering of trees, shrubs, and flowers. For example, in April, walnut, oak, alder, birch bloom, in May - poplar, linden, apple tree, dandelions, coltsfoot. From spring to autumn, quinoa, ragweed, and wormwood bloom.

Symptoms of spring allergies in a child

The most common symptoms of spring allergies in a child:

Swelling and nasal congestion;
Frequent sneezing;
Itching and burning in the nose;
Clear and liquid discharge from the nose;
Itching, irritation, redness of the eyes;
lacrimation;
Swelling of the eyelids;
Photophobia, frequent blinking;
Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath;
Cough;
Rashes, redness, swelling, itching of the skin;
Dryness, flaking of the skin;
Moodiness and irritability;
Drowsiness or insomnia;
Lack of appetite.

How to distinguish an allergy from an acute respiratory disease?

Allergies are almost never accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
Symptoms of spring allergies appear annually at approximately the same time;
A child suffering from allergies feels much better at home. His health worsens on the street, especially when surrounded by flowering plants - in the park, in the forest. For a patient with an acute respiratory infection, the location does not matter;
The well-being of a child with allergies worsens on a dry and warm day, improves in rainy weather;
Nasal discharge is thick and thin, as opposed to the thick, cloudy discharge associated with a viral or bacterial infection;
In case of allergies, the cough is not accompanied by sputum production;
The acute respiratory infection lasts no more than a week. Symptoms of hay fever may appear over several spring and summer months;
If you notice that your child has allergies in the spring, consult a doctor immediately. Timely prevention and treatment of hay fever will help make you feel better and prevent the progression of the disease.

Treatment of allergies to spring blooms

The choice of treatment for hay fever depends on the stage of the disease and the flowering season of the plants causing the allergic reaction.

A month before the start of the flowering season, specific immunotherapy is carried out - antibodies that cause symptoms of hay fever are removed from the child’s body;

During the flowering period, drugs are used that protect the body from the effects of allergens and relieve allergy symptoms: Antihistamines;

Antihistamines;
Local hormonal agents (ointments and creams);
Non-hormonal antiallergic drugs.

Important! Only a doctor should prescribe medications for the prevention and treatment of allergies in a child!

Close windows and doors to prevent pollen from flowering plants from entering the premises. Instead of ventilation, use an air purifier;
Frequently do wet cleaning of premises;
Minimize walks in dry, windy weather;
Frequently wash the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, take a shower - to remove pollen from flowering plants from the body;
Dry bedding and clothes indoors to avoid pollen getting on things.

While healthy children enjoy the warm sun and collect bouquets of spring flowers, children with allergies suffer from painful symptoms of hay fever.

Hay fever is a seasonal (spring) allergic reaction of the body to flowering plants.

The cause of allergies in the spring is the penetration of allergens into the child’s body.

What is the source of spring allergies?

Symptoms of spring allergies in a child

The most common symptoms of spring allergies in a child:

Swelling and nasal congestion;
Frequent sneezing;
Itching and burning in the nose;
Clear and liquid discharge from the nose;
Itching, irritation, redness of the eyes;
lacrimation;
Swelling of the eyelids;
Photophobia, frequent blinking;
Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath;
Cough;
Rashes, redness, swelling, itching of the skin;
Dryness, flaking of the skin;
Moodiness and irritability;
Drowsiness or insomnia;
Lack of appetite.

How to distinguish an allergy from an acute respiratory disease?

Allergies are almost never accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
Symptoms of spring allergies appear annually at approximately the same time;
A child suffering from allergies feels much better at home. His health worsens on the street, especially when surrounded by flowering plants - in the park, in the forest. For a patient with an acute respiratory infection, the location does not matter;
The well-being of a child with allergies worsens on a dry and warm day, improves in rainy weather;
Nasal discharge is thick and thin, as opposed to the thick, cloudy discharge associated with a viral or bacterial infection;
In case of allergies, the cough is not accompanied by sputum production;
The acute respiratory infection lasts no more than a week. Symptoms of hay fever may appear over several spring and summer months;
If you notice that your child has allergies in the spring, consult a doctor immediately. Timely prevention and treatment of hay fever will help make you feel better and prevent the progression of the disease.

Treatment of allergies to spring blooms

The choice of treatment for hay fever depends on the stage of the disease and the flowering season of the plants causing the allergic reaction.

A month before the start of the flowering season, specific immunotherapy is carried out - antibodies that cause symptoms of hay fever are removed from the child’s body;

During the flowering period, drugs are used that protect the body from the effects of allergens and relieve allergy symptoms: Antihistamines;

Antihistamines;
Local hormonal agents (ointments and creams);
Non-hormonal antiallergic drugs.

Important! Only a doctor should prescribe medications for the prevention and treatment of allergies in a child!

Close windows and doors to prevent pollen from flowering plants from entering the premises. Instead of ventilation, use an air purifier;
Frequently do wet cleaning of premises;
Minimize walks in dry, windy weather;
Frequently wash the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, take a shower - to remove pollen from flowering plants from the body;
Dry bedding and clothes indoors to avoid pollen getting on things.

schoolofcare.ru

What are you allergic to in spring - a review of allergens and treatment methods

Allergies are more severe in spring than in any other season of the year. According to statistics, 85% of all allergy sufferers suffer from its exacerbation during this period. We’ll talk about why this happens, what the threat is and how to deal with the manifestations of this disease in this article.

Seasonal allergies are a serious problem. Each season has its own list of the most aggressive allergens that cause the greatest number of problems. The peculiarity of this time of year is that the body, being weakened after the winter cold, lack of sunlight and vitamins, easily responds to the influence of any irritants.

The immune system is in a rather deplorable state; colds and exacerbations of any chronic diseases occur immediately.

In addition, the concentration of allergens is highest during this season. Thus, plants do not bloom in winter, there is no cold in summer, but in this “transitional” time of year absolutely all irritants can “work.” The air temperature outside is still unstable, there are frosts, and snow can fall even in May in some regions. And people, sensing the approaching heat, neglect warm clothes. Hence the allergy to cold.

So, what can you be allergic to in spring?

Spring allergens

Flowering plants cause a lot of trouble for allergy sufferers

As already mentioned, any known allergen can have its negative effects on susceptible people. Distributing them in order of decreasing influence during this season, you can get the following list:

pollen from plants (flowers, grasses, trees);
Pets;
food allergens;
medicines;
contact allergies (both to clothing and household chemicals);
mold fungus (activates by mid-May);
insects (also appear towards the end of spring).

Looking at this list, one can understand that allergies in early spring before plants bloom are quite likely, since allergy sufferers suffer not only from hay fever. It is difficult to judge when allergies end in spring, because the flowering time does not end on May 31, but continues until the end of September.

Hay fever

First of all, in the spring people are worried about reactions to pollen. Hay fever brings maximum inconvenience: allergies to flowering in the spring are rightfully considered by WHO to be a pathology that largely disrupts the usual way of life. To find out what blooms in spring during this period, you need to refer to the allergy sufferer's calendar.

It should be remembered that for each region of the Russian Federation this document is compiled separately. After all, the periods of activation of the plant world in Norilsk and Rostov-on-Don are significantly different.

However, by averaging the indicators, the most generalized flowering schedule can be identified:

Spring-autumn plant flowering calendar (can be enlarged)

hazel;
alder;
cypress.

birch;
ash;
maple;
dandelion;
cherry;
poplar;
lilac.

birch;
maple;
alder;
lilac;
beet;
pine;
Linden;
chestnut;
dandelion.

Despite the fact that there are quite a lot of allergens, there is an encouraging fact: weeds, which are the most powerful irritants, begin to bloom only in mid-summer.

It cannot be denied that this type of allergic reaction is relevant at any time. And if a person suffers from an allergy to oranges, then it will manifest itself in spring, summer, and autumn.

However, it is at this time of year that cross-allergies become most relevant.

Thus, in case of a hypersensitivity reaction to birch, symptoms may occur when consuming:

Photo: Rash on hands as a symptom of food allergy

apples;
cherries;
drain;
peaches;
carrots;
celery
and even potatoes.

Under “normal conditions,” severe allergies to these products do not develop. But as soon as birch pollen begins to hover in the air, it becomes simply impossible to consume these vegetables and fruits.

Household allergies

Allergies to dust and mold are not as common in the spring as they are in the fall. The fact is that fungi begin to become active only towards the end of spring, and the process of sporulation starts even later. Therefore, “mold allergy” is more of a problem at the end of the year.

But dust mites have an autumn-spring seasonality. People, “raking up rubble” in corners after winter, inhale large amounts of dust. As a result, many of them experience worsening allergies.

As for pets, they are especially “dangerous” at this time. First, active molting begins. And despite the fact that wool itself is not an allergen, it contains particles of proteins that cause negative reactions. With fur scattered throughout the apartment, they get into the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.

In addition, spring is the period of searching for a partner for reproduction. This means that all the animal’s hormonal and enzyme systems are activated in order to attract a “spouse”. The substances secreted by the beast become more active and “aggressive”.

Contact allergy

The seasonality of this disease is, of course, very arbitrary, but it does occur. On the one hand, people are starting to clean their house, wash windows, someone is doing repairs - hence the abundance of household chemicals, cleaning products and even building materials.

On the other hand, spring is also a time of love for people. This means that women are starting to use decorative cosmetics and perfume twice as actively. Skin dried out by winter weather requires intensive care. All these are “danger factors” for the development of allergic reactions.

In addition, people change from woolen clothes to lighter ones. But it's still too cold to wear cotton blouses. Hence the abundance of synthetics. And it very often causes skin allergies.

Medicines and insects

Photo: Red rash on the body - a severe allergic reaction to a drug

By the end of spring, mosquitoes and ticks are already beginning to become more active, but for this time of year this problem is not so relevant.

But medications used to treat acute respiratory diseases and exacerbations of chronic ones may well cause unwanted reactions.

For example, pneumonia very often appears in the spring, and it requires treatment with antibiotics. People suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases (for example, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis) require hormonal therapy, which also causes allergies.

Thus, allergies in spring are multifaceted and varied in their causes. What are its manifestations?

Symptoms of the disease

Allergy symptoms in spring, as at any other time of the year, are determined by its cause.

Pollinosis is characterized by:

cough;
nasal congestion;
runny nose and sneezing;
conjunctivitis (the eyes turn red, watery eyes begin, and there is a feeling of sand in the eyes);
the appearance or increase in frequency of attacks of bronchial asthma is possible.

Among the manifestations of contact allergies:

skin itching;
peeling;
redness, inflammation of areas of the skin in contact with the allergen.

Food allergies manifest themselves:

abdominal pain;
nausea, vomiting;
diarrhea;
flatulence,
as well as symptoms from “other groups”.

If we talk about how allergies can worsen in the spring, it is worth noting the high variety of symptoms. Often, allergy sufferers have reactions to several different irritants, so a person whose skin is red and itchy and sneezing while having a sore stomach is not that uncommon.

Allergies in children and pregnant women

Children are the most susceptible category of people. Allergies in children in spring differ in the intensity of symptoms and their diversity. After walking down the street during the period of allergen dust, a child may become worse literally before his eyes:

within a few hours a severe runny nose appears,
frequent sneezing,
sore throat, cough,
redness of the eyes and nose.

The main danger of spring allergies for the children's population is that hay fever in them turns into bronchial asthma with incredible ease, especially if there is a hereditary predisposition for this.

Allergies to spring during pregnancy are especially dangerous in the first trimester, when all the main organs and systems of the fetus are developing.

Treatment of “spring allergies”

It is quite difficult to completely get rid of allergic reactions at home. Often (though not always) this requires the use of special immune methods, for example, allergen-specific immunological therapy. This is a kind of “vaccination” against allergens.

However, such treatment is used infrequently. In most cases, symptomatic remedies are used - those that eliminate the main manifestations of allergic reactions. These include antihistamines.

Preparations from the 2nd and 3rd generations of antihistamines, available in the form of tablets and syrups, are easy to use and have a minimum of side effects. Effective remedies for spring allergies:

Fenkarol,
Zyrtec,
Xizal.

There are also mast cell stabilizers, but drugs from this group can only be prescribed by a doctor to avoid irreversible consequences.

Enterosorbents are used to eliminate the symptoms of food allergies. For example:

Smecta,
Polyphepan,
Polysorb.

They help quickly remove the allergen from the body.

To relieve skin itching and inflammation, you can use local antihistamine and hormonal ointments.

The first include Fenistin, Gistan;
The second ones are Beloderm, Advantan.

However, uncontrolled use of glucocorticosteroid drugs can lead to a decrease in local immunity and the development of skin pustular infections.

Treatment with folk remedies is also acceptable.

However, it will be effective only in contact forms; it will not be possible to relieve general symptoms; it is only possible to support the body.

So, decoctions of chamomile, string, and bay leaves will help get rid of itching and flaking. They can be used in the form of compresses, lotions, and homemade ointments. Mumiyo, rosehip decoction, improves immunity well.

But extravagant means like vinegar should not be used. And it is important to remember that if you have an “allergy to spring,” folk remedies are not a panacea. After all, they can also cause undesirable effects. The reaction is the same as the original allergens, having exactly the same natural plant origin. Do not get carried away with herbs for coughs and intestinal manifestations.

Treatment of children and pregnant women

Most antihistamines are contraindicated in both categories. There is a very narrow group of medications that can be given to children:

Diphenhydramine,
Suprastin,
Pilpofen,
Fenistil.

They are available in the form of syrups and suppositories, so administering the drug will not cause problems.

Women expecting a baby can only take antihistamines from the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

An earlier appointment can be made exclusively by a doctor and for health reasons. To cope with allergies, only local treatment is used - zinc ointment, nasal rinses, vitamin complexes.

Starting from the 2nd trimester, in serious cases, an antihistamine may be recommended, for example:

Zyrtec,
Allertek,
Pilpofen.

But Zyrtec is contraindicated for women who have already given birth, because it passes into breast milk.

In general, it is difficult to answer the question of what nursing mothers can do for allergies. The optimal solution is to stop breastfeeding for the duration of treatment and then return to it (if possible), or switch to mixed or artificial feeding.

Prevention

How to prevent allergies in spring? There are quite a lot of preventative measures:

Carry out wet cleaning in the house as often as possible;
Maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels in the house;
Wipe your shoes with a damp cloth and wash your clothes every time you go outside;
Wear a medical mask while walking;
Go outside in calm weather;
Walking after the rain;
Ventilate the room only in the evening;
Use air filters;
Comb and wash pets;
Do not wear synthetic clothing;
Minimize the use of cosmetics and household chemicals;
As prescribed by a doctor, take antihistamines or membrane-stabilizing drugs for preventive purposes;
Prevent the development of respiratory diseases, receive timely treatment, preventing diseases from becoming chronic;
Follow a diet.

What should you not eat if you have allergies in spring?

There is no definite answer to this question - it depends on what you are allergic to. However, you should avoid consuming potentially dangerous foods:

chocolate;
citrus fruits;
fish;
nuts;
wheat;
unripe fruits.

Where to go in the spring for allergies?

It is best to go to the northern regions or countries, where plants have not yet begun to bloom, where nature is still in a frozen state.

Thus, allergies in the spring are a serious problem that can cause a lot of inconvenience to susceptible people. She makes her own changes to the usual way of life. However, by following some preventive measures, you can reduce the inconvenience to a minimum.

allergy-center.ru

Insidious spring pollen. Allergies in spring in children

Spring has come, the sun is warming. Mothers are happy that their children will get colds less often. What if, with the arrival of spring and the flowering of plants, the child becomes less active, scratches his eyes, and sneezes?

Such symptoms may indicate a seasonal allergy to the insidious pollen of flowering trees and plants.

What is hay fever and how to live with it?

Today we will talk about spring allergies in children.

What is hay fever?
Signs of spring allergies
Tips for parents: what to do if children have spring allergies

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergic disease that appears at any age. This is the so-called seasonal rhinitis, conjunctevitis, which occurs due to pollen from flowering plants and trees.

Pollen is weightless and is carried by the wind over long distances. In allergy sufferers, it causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

Most often, hay fever is observed in the month of April, when most trees begin to bloom.

The child begins to sneeze and has a runny nose. Many parents think that it is a common cold and begin to treat it themselves. And the cause of this condition is seasonal allergies.

What plants cause allergies in children?

One of the common allergens is plant pollen. Seasonal allergies or hay fever are the body's reaction to a protein that is part of plant pollen.

Dangerous plants that cause allergies

Trees and shrubs: birch, oak, alder, ash.

Herbs: ragweed, dandelion, wormwood, chamomile.

Cereals: rye, wheat, buckwheat.

More often, allergies are caused by pollen from wind-pollinated plants. It is small and quickly spread by the wind, entering the respiratory tract. Fruit tree pollen can also cause allergies. But it is larger and is not carried by the wind and does not enter the respiratory tract.

At what age does allergies begin?

In children who are predisposed to allergies, it is usually detected in the first year of life. For those less predisposed - on the second and third.

Much depends on the conditions in which the child lives. If there are animals in the house, cleaning is not done often, and the house is located next to a highway, then the risk of allergies is very high.

Allergies are the body’s response to poor ecology, dust and other harmful factors.

Factors influencing the occurrence of allergies

Parents smoking
Genetic predisposition
Bad ecology
Artificial feeding of a child in childhood
Vitamin D deficiency
Insufficient humidity in the room
Poor ventilation
Child obesity

If one parent suffers from allergies, then the child may also become allergic. By following the recommendations of doctors, you can get rid of allergies.

During pregnancy, a woman should monitor her diet and not overuse foods that cause allergies: chocolate, citrus fruits, honey, halva. Smoking and alcohol are not allowed for expectant mothers. In large cities, the number of people suffering from allergies is increasing.

Biologists noticed an interesting feature. There are more trees in the villages and there should be more pollen. But there are fewer allergy sufferers in villages than in big cities. Why is that?

Scientists have found that city trees generate dust more intensely and their pollen is “more evil” than village trees.

And the point here is carbon dioxide - ordinary carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide in the air is found in small quantities and is not harmful, but in large quantities it becomes dangerous. There are a lot of cars in cities and exhaust gases increase the concentration of carbon dioxide. And the trees begin to become very dusty; their pollen contains a lot of certain proteins, which are allergens.

Signs of spring allergies

This is severe paroxysmal sneezing, nasal discharge or, conversely, nasal congestion. All this is complemented by itching of the eyes, rashes on the skin, and sometimes a cough.

Such signs are often not accompanied by an increase in temperature and appear spontaneously. Therefore, you need to be careful and not confuse seasonal allergies with acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections.

Allergies usually begin at the same time of year, usually in spring or summer.

If a child has allergies to dust, animals or food, the likelihood of hay fever increases.

How to help a child with a pollen allergy

This includes frequent wet cleaning, removing rugs and soft toys from the floor, changing and washing bed linen more often. Be sure to install humidifiers. Hang a net on the windows and wipe it clean.

Children attending childcare centers will need to be given antihistamines.

Avoid contact with flowering plants that cause allergies. In summer, it is better to go to an area where there are no flowering herbs.

Firstly, do not delay contacting a specialist who will conduct research and prescribe treatment.

Many parents expect that hay fever will go away on its own in a couple of days; they treat their children on their own, on the advice of friends.

Only a doctor, based on the examination and tests, can prescribe the correct treatment.

Therefore, the main advice is to immediately contact an allergist if you have seasonal allergies!

What else needs to be done?

In hot, windy weather, it is better not to go out for a walk, as the pollen concentration is high at this time.

Rinse your child's nose and eyes.

Today we talked about spring allergies in children and looked at its signs.

Be healthy! Write your comments.. Share the information with your friends if the article was useful to you.

Best regards, Olga.

deti-i-vnuki.ru

Spring allergies – to flowers, pollen, treatment, prevention, in the eyes, in the throat, in the nose, diet

We recognize spring allergies and take measures to prevent exacerbations and prevent serious diseases.

Causes

Allergy is a complex and complex immune reaction of the body of an individual nature to some aggressive factors of the external and internal environment.

Upon a quick assessment, it is a rather harmless ailment, and is just a trigger that causes much more dangerous diseases: asthma, edema.

With the active development of the food and chemical industries, the growth of allergic morbidity has increased sharply.

According to doctors, today more than 20% of people worldwide suffer from this disease. A colossal figure.

The causes of its occurrence are a subject of debate among both practitioners and theoreticians around the world.

Some experts assign a large role to genetic factors, others to the nature of potential allergen substances, and still others will say that the root of the problem lies in endogenous causes.

Everyone will be right, but only partly.

Allergies should not be considered as a common disease caused by one specific cause. There is a whole range of reasons involved here.

The combination of reasons is determined by the following factors:

genetics;
frequency of interaction with a particular substance;
psychosomatic factors.

How do allergens affect the human body?

At the cellular level, an allergic reaction looks like this:

Concomitant factors causing exacerbation

Among the factors that initiate the occurrence of an allergic reaction there are many household and environmental components.

Climate component

It is situational in nature.

In a warm climate, the level of ultraviolet radiation is higher, as well as the flowering of local flora is more active and diverse.

When they come into contact with the skin and are exposed to ultraviolet light, they cause an immune reaction.

Flowering activity and a variety of vegetation in warm climates mean many pollen particles, which in themselves are a powerful allergen.

Increased air humidity (in humid climates) can also cause exacerbations.

Region

If the region is characterized by changing seasons, the problem of exacerbation will be seasonal.

It is especially difficult for allergy sufferers in spring and autumn.

Allergies to spring flowering occur most frequently and are almost the most common, along with allergic reactions to animal fur and food irritants.

Environmental component

Industrial emissions of chemically active substances into air and water are one of the main causes of exacerbations in people with chronic allergies.

The impact of the environmental component on residents of large industrial cities is especially significant.

Exhaust gases cause no less harm, about 70% of which are fuel particles.

In regions with significant deposits of peat and other fossil fuels, people are exposed to smoke (especially in the spring and summer).

It is problematic to exclude these aggressive external factors.

Lifestyle and diet

Even a natural product can cause allergies. Honey, nuts, etc.

The problem of consuming allergenic foods is especially pressing in the spring.

To increase yields, unscrupulous producers use dangerous chemical fertilizers.

Salts - nitrates (salts with an acidic NO3 residue) are aggressive and cause severe allergic reactions.

Past illnesses

The immune response may be stronger after a viral illness.

In spring and autumn, human immunity is weakened, and susceptibility to colds increases.

As a result, there is a risk, even after recovering from an acute respiratory infection, of getting a severe complication of an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of manifestation

Before our eyes

Allergic eye damage is a common phenomenon and is due to the openness of the mucous membrane and a small amount of protective tissue.

In spring, the eye most often reacts precisely to plant pollen, which is deposited on the unprotected membranes of the eye.

Among the symptoms:

inflammation of the eyelids The severity of inflammation depends on the degree of individual reaction to the irritating substance;
inflammation of the conjunctiva (can provoke allergic conjunctivitis);
unbearable itching in the eyes;
active production of lacrimal gland secretion;
fear of light;
dryness and burning of the eyes caused by drying out of the mucous membrane;
with allergic conjunctivitis, rejection of purulent contents is also possible;

In the throat

Symptoms occur as a result of swallowing or inhaling an allergen substance.

Example: inhaled pollen is partially deposited on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

Or, when swallowed, particles of food and liquid irritate the mucous membranes.

Among the manifestations:

discomfort in the throat;
swelling (including the palate, uvula) and redness;
pain when trying to swallow;
the appearance of dense, painful blisters with liquid on the mucous membrane (ulcers in the throat arise as a result of the massive death of leukocytes and damaged cells, which, mixed with the cellular fluid, are rejected);
change in voice (up to complete loss);
cough and tickling sensation.

With a strong immune reaction, inflammation of the larynx or trachea is also possible.

As a result, the gaps narrow and suffocation increases. Such swelling is dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.

From the nose

Symptoms:

Are common

In the absence of a serious immune reaction to the allergen, general symptoms are limited to increased fatigue or none at all.

An individual reaction can occur at the level of the whole organism (in case of serious allergic diseases and conditions, such as Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock)

In this case, the following symptoms may occur:

significant drop in blood pressure. In severe cases - to critical levels, which can lead to collapse;
dizziness and nausea;
difficulty breathing;
slow reaction;
pallor of the skin (or redness, as with Quincke's edema);
confusion;
noise in ears.

The presence of general symptoms indicates a fairly serious allergic reaction, which means immediate medical attention is required.

Diagnostic methods

You can diagnose and determine the allergen either independently or with the help of qualified specialists:

The first and easiest way is to stop coming into contact with the allergen. If, presumably, there is an allergic reaction to a particular substance, you should limit contact with it as much as possible, and based on observations, draw a conclusion about the presence and nature. This is the so-called elimination test;
If we are talking about pollen, it is quite difficult to exclude interaction with it in the spring. Therefore, conclusions must be drawn on the basis of seasonal observations (if in winter the symptoms disappear under the same other conditions, there is reason to assume a reaction to pollen);
conducting skin tests. During the tests, the upper layers of the dermis are damaged (by scarification or subcutaneous injection). Then a solution of various allergens is applied to the damaged areas (or injected subcutaneously) and the nature of the immune reaction is observed.
as a result, if an individual reaction of the body is present, local symptoms appear: redness and inflammation, and the more intense they are, the higher the degree of immune reaction;
lg E antibody analysis. Allows, based on the analysis of specific antibodies contained in venous blood, to identify types of allergens;
provocative tests. The most dangerous method, requiring the constant presence of a doctor in a hospital setting. It is carried out by introducing a particular allergen into the body in small quantities. Then observation is carried out.

Video: Disease Prevention

Treatment

Drugs

Treatment for spring allergies should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Without the necessary knowledge, the patient is more likely to harm himself than to help:

treatment of allergic eye reactions;
first of all, it is necessary to eliminate contact with the allergen (remove the foreign body, rinse the eyes with running water, and if you wear contact lenses, remove them first);

Local medications are used to relieve symptoms:

drugs stabilizing mast cell membranes (Cromoglin, Ifiral, Lecrolin, etc.) for local action in the form of drops;
antihistamines for oral administration (Tavegil, Eslotin, Claramax, etc.);
treatment of an allergic reaction from the nose.
contact with the allergen is eliminated;
Next, you need to restore nasal breathing. For this purpose, drugs of the following classes are used:

to relieve swelling and constriction of blood vessels: Nazivin and others;
topical immunomodulatory drugs: Vilozen, etc.;
hormonal drugs (for severe or chronic forms): Flexonase, Avamis;
Lecrolin spray and Kromhexal drops perform well;
to alleviate the general condition, take antihistamines;
treatment of an allergic reaction from the throat;
due to their danger, they require more serious treatment. First, the allergen that caused the reaction is eliminated;
then it is necessary to relieve the swelling, otherwise the further development of suffocation may threaten a person’s life. Glucocorticoid hormones, as well as MgSo4 (magnesium sulfate), are administered intravenously;
antihistamines are taken.

Folk remedies

If the allergic reaction is mild, it causes more discomfort than danger.

You can relieve such an attack yourself, knowing a few simple folk remedies:

ocular manifestations. The most effective is chamomile infusion. When preparing, the following proportion is used: 1 tablespoon per 400 grams of water. Infusion time is 25 minutes. Rinse 2-3 times a day;
to relieve swelling and redness - lotions made from grated vegetables (potatoes, apples, etc.);
manifestations from the nose:

Bran decoction. A decoction is prepared in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of bran per 400 g of hot water and infused for an hour and a half. Taken on an empty stomach.

Another effective recipe:

calamus root (25 g);
elecampane root (25 g);
mother and stepmother (50 g);
wild rosemary (50 g);
citvar seed (125 g).

Proportion – 1 tablespoon per 400 g of water. Infuse for 12 hours, after which it is taken 2-4 times. You can rinse your nose with chamomile infusion that has been left for 8 hours.

manifestations from the throat. An herbal tincture is used to relieve throat swelling

chamomile (25 g);
St. John's wort (25 g);
sage or string – 25 g.

The crushed collection is brewed in the proportion of 1 tablespoon per 500 g of water and infused for 8 hours.

Use for rinsing 3-5 times a day.

Simple recipes will help relieve mild symptoms.

But you need to be aware that an allergic reaction can be observed to the medicinal plants themselves, and then the effect will be the opposite.

You should not abuse traditional methods.

Diet for spring allergies

In the spring, when the likelihood of exacerbation is especially high, it is necessary to remove foods that have allergenic properties from the diet. However, if an exacerbation does occur, you need to establish a strict diet.

Of course, the diet must be selected strictly according to the individual characteristics of the body and its specific reactions to allergens. However, general, universal rules still exist.

Acute period

During the acute period, you can include the following foods in your diet:

bakery products: wheat bread (not freshly baked);
cereal soups, or soups prepared with vegetable decoctions;
oat and buckwheat porridge with water;
water, weak tea.

As symptoms subside, you can expand your diet to include:

meat dishes: lean beef or poultry. Boiled or baked;
egg dishes: no more than 1 egg per day;
low-fat fermented milk products;
fruits: fresh or dry. No more than 0.5 kg per day;

Fatty meat products, offal, as well as coffee, chocolate, products that have bright pigmentation or are flavored with artificial colors should be completely excluded.

Prevention

Since there is no single correct and radical treatment for allergies, prevention is more important in the fight against it.

To prevent the disease from occurring (or exacerbation during remission) in the spring, you need to follow a few simple tips:

Stay outside as little as possible. Spring is the peak of flowering. Consequently, in the presence of a pollen disease, an exacerbation is almost guaranteed. In addition, in the spring, the sun's activity increases, and the level of air humidity fluctuates sharply (it is already undesirable for allergy sufferers to breathe excessively humidified air, but increased humidity also causes the development of mold in the house, the spores of which are the strongest allergen);
Plants most actively spray pollen particles between 20.00 and 11.00. In the late evening and at night. You should not go out during these hours;
exclude brightly pigmented foods and the first fresh fruits and vegetables from the diet, due to the high content of salts and nitrates;
When going outside, it is best to wear sunglasses. Then there will be at least some kind of barrier between the eye and the external environment. This will prevent pollen from settling on the mucous membrane of the eye;
wash your face more often. After each visit to the street, wash yourself thoroughly, rinsing your eyes and nose. Adhering pollen particles may not cause a reaction immediately, but later.

In addition to specific measures to prevent allergies in the spring, it is worth adhering to more general tips:

In spring, it is almost impossible to hide from plant pollen. It is better not to open windows and doors unless necessary. It is better to ventilate in the early morning hours, after covering the openings with gauze soaked in water;
A normal level of humidity should be ensured in the house. It shouldn't be too dry or too humid. Special household appliances will help with this;
You should not dry clothes outside;
in the spring, you need to increase the amount of water consumed. When the body is dehydrated, histamine is produced more actively;
Wet cleaning should not be neglected. House dust allergen is no less aggressive;
If possible, avoid using synthetic substances (household chemicals). Its fragrances can act as a secondary allergen;
limit contact with pets. Epidermal allergens can cause an immune reaction;
Under no circumstances should you independently change the dosage or stop taking medications prescribed by your doctor;

Predisposition

An individual's predisposition is genetically determined.

If the parents are allergy sufferers, the probability of the child developing the disease will be from 50 to 75% or more. If one of the parents is susceptible to the disease or has a predisposition to it, the probability is up to 50%.

And even when the parents have no symptoms and are completely healthy, the chance of having a child predisposed to this disease is 20%.

This is especially evident when parents have specific allergies.

But even if both the father and mother are allergic, this does not mean that the disease will necessarily manifest itself in the child.

The disease itself is not inherited, only a predisposition is possible, which, with proper prevention, will remain unrealized.

Despite all that has been said, the role of genetic factors on the mechanism of occurrence has not been fully studied.

How to distinguish from a cold

Allergies can be distinguished from colds by the following signs:

speed of symptoms. The incubation period of an infectious disease can last from several tens of hours to several days or more. Allergies develop rapidly. It takes several hours;
Allergies cause severe itching in the nose, and the amount of secretion increases sharply;
cough without sputum (not counting manifestations of bronchial asthma). The attacks are obsessive in nature. With a cold, the cough is almost always constant in intensity;
ocular manifestations. During an allergic reaction, the eyelids quickly swell and the mucous membranes take on a reddish tint. Eyes itch and itch;
skin manifestations. Allergies are accompanied by rashes;
symptoms occur situationally, upon contact with an allergen (for example, seasonally);
A cold is characterized by a headache, as well as a “hissing” sore throat;
heat. No allergies;
colds take a long time to heal. Symptoms may persist for up to 2 weeks;
The discharge from a cold has an opaque consistency. Yellow or brown. The nose is unevenly stuffed;

Consequences of self-medication

Treatment of allergies requires special knowledge and a competent, comprehensive approach.

By prescribing treatment for yourself, a person risks encountering a number of problems:

inefficiency. Symptomatic treatment can suppress the main manifestations, while the disease itself will not go away and will develop. At best, allergic symptoms will recur periodically (as a result of an acquired chronic disease), at worst, a serious disease may develop: bronchial asthma, Quincke's edema, etc. And then the disease will not become a temporary spring problem, but a constant companion that complicates life;
the likelihood of complications. Symptoms that seem harmless at first glance can cause complications (for example, with an allergic eye infection, corneal erosion is possible, etc.);
side effects of drugs. Hormonal and other drugs used in the treatment of allergic diseases have serious side effects;
the likelihood of emergency conditions. If symptoms appear, you should urgently seek medical help to avoid the development of emergency conditions;

FAQ

What causes the disease?

As a rule, the basis is an immune reaction, since the immune system switches from solving the problem of combating truly dangerous external factors (viruses, bacteria) to responding to the allergen.

Why is this happening?

Because the immune system of a person of the 21st century is not sufficiently loaded with work.

Is the disease related to vaccination?

There is no such connection.

Is it possible to be completely cured?

To date, no such treatment exists.

Seasonal allergies are the name given to the immune system’s response to foreign substances in the inhaled air. Most often, allergies occur to substances that are found in the open air: pollen or mold.

Year-round and seasonal allergies - differences

There are no striking differences between seasonal and year-round allergies. They are also based on the reaction of the immune system to the interaction between antigens and antibodies. But in the case of year-round allergies, there is no connection with the biological rhythms of plants and encounters with them turn out to be accidental. And in the case of a seasonal outbreak, allergens are closely related to temperature, air humidity, season of the year, etc.

During a seasonal exacerbation, allergens can enter the body through breathing and through the skin, settling on it. The route of penetration can be easily determined through external signs of the disease, for example, runny nose, conjunctivitis, swelling. In children, this seasonal illness can be very similar to a cold.

In children, seasonal allergies usually occur at certain times of the year, but can also occur year-round. The latter is possible if the child has close contact with the allergen. It is important to pay close attention to your baby’s health if he has allergic reactions to fruit juices and purees. In this case, after 3 years of age, a child may develop an allergy to pollen. When a baby has “diathesis” from citrus fruits, he may experience redness of the eyes and a runny nose from a bouquet of ordinary daisies.

Causes

It is often difficult to determine the allergen. After contact with it, the body begins to produce antibodies, which subsequently produce a reaction in the body in the form of a runny nose, sneezing, red eyes, and skin rash.

Pollen is the most common allergen. It is carried by air to fertilize plants of its own species. The pollination period for different plants depends on climatic conditions. Some of them pollinate in early spring, others in mid-summer. Closer to the north, pollination occurs later. There are certain herbs, trees, and shrubs whose pollen causes allergic reactions more often than others. However, insect-pollinated plants are less likely to cause allergies than wind-pollinated plants.

Mold is another powerful allergen. Mold spores are constantly present in the air. Their concentration depends on current conditions. Mold can also live in the open air, in residential and agricultural buildings. Mold takes root in damp, insufficiently ventilated rooms.

The risk of a seasonal allergic reaction increases if a person has relatives suffering from this disease.

The most dangerous periods:

Autumn is when the asteraceae bloom: wormwood, ragweed, quinoa.
Spring, when maples, plane trees, and hazel trees bloom.
Summer is when cereals and flowers bloom.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

It is advisable to determine them in advance. This will help minimize the risk of discomfort and get rid of negative consequences.

The main symptoms include:

Pathology from the organs of vision: redness, swelling, itching, lacrimation, photophobia.
General pathologies: irritability and general fatigue, weight loss.
Multiple organ disorders: Quincke's edema, increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, nausea, constipation, colitis.
Symptoms of irritation of the upper respiratory tract: sneezing, difficulty breathing, runny nose, swelling of the mucous membranes.
Pollen asthma: difficulty breathing with signs of suffocation.

Separately, it is worth saying that an increase in temperature is not at all typical for seasonal allergies. Fever can only be observed with a prolonged course of the disease.

If a person has a cough for no reason, you need to pay close attention to your health. Perhaps along with this there was redness of the skin and itching.

A cough may begin as a result of inflammatory changes in the upper respiratory tract. This reaction can also be caused by a wasp or bee sting, intolerance by the body of certain food components, or by the flowering of certain plants. Food allergies may first appear at night.

This cough may disappear suddenly if contact with the allergen is stopped.

How to treat seasonal allergies?

First you need to carefully study the state of your body recently. Answer the following questions:

Have pets recently appeared in your apartment?
Have you changed cosmetics or perfumes?
Are there carpets in the apartment?
Has anything changed in your home or work environment lately? When were the first symptoms of the disease noticed?

Treatment methods should be aimed at the general mechanisms of the disease, necessarily taking into account specific features. Seasonal allergies, the treatment of which requires a careful approach, can disappear quite quickly. The following describes the main treatment methods and medications.

To get rid of seasonal allergies, you first need to eliminate contact with the allergen.

An allergy sufferer suffering from seasonal attacks of the disease will need to avoid visiting forests, parks, and flower beds.

Ideally, it is worth changing your place of residence while the plants are flowering. You can use personal protective equipment (respirators and masks), install mosquito nets on windows. Take a shower and do wet cleaning every day. It is worth removing carpets, dusty blankets, and soft toys from the living area. It is important to give up herbal medicines, perfumes, and cosmetics with fragrances (you can use hypoallergenic ones).

These measures can serve not only as the beginning of treatment, but also as prevention of exacerbation of the disease.

How to deal with seasonal allergies? During the season, it is important for allergy sufferers to follow a hypoallergenic diet. The fact is that pollen allergies can also cause a cross-reaction to certain food components. Therefore, doctors prescribe avoidance of foods that cause the “wrong” reaction. It is necessary to exclude citrus fruits, strawberries, milk, coffee, mushrooms, nuts, smoked meats, and alcohol from the diet.

You cannot do without treatment with drugs:

Antihistamines. This medicine is an ideal start to treating seasonal allergies. Tablets from this category will help reduce the effect of inflammatory mediators on tissues. They eliminate external signs as much as possible. These drugs include: “Tavegil”, “Suprastin”, “Diphenhydramine”, “Telfast”.
Sorbents. They are indispensable when treating seasonal allergies. Sorbents bind and remove toxic products from the body: “Enetrosgel”, “Multisorb”, “Polifepam”.
Glucocorticosteroids. Indispensable for severe conditions. They are available in the form of ointments: “Flucinar”, “Sinaflan”, “Lorinden”.
Sedatives. Indispensable if neurosis or restless sleep occurs due to allergies: tinctures based on motherwort and valerian.
Vasoconstrictors. They help: “Sanorin”, “Galazolin”, “Naphthyzin”.

Recently, the concept of desensitization has become popular. Development of a tolerant reaction of the body through the introduction of an allergen into the patient’s body. Such vaccination is possible only in the absence of current allergies.

Traditional medicine offers seasonal allergy sufferers the use of herbal preparations based on celery, chamomile, and string; the effectiveness of such treatment has not been proven. You need to consult an allergist.

Allergies in children in the spring are a very common occurrence. Sneezing and a runny nose in a baby causes concern among parents, and they immediately begin treatment. Having made the diagnosis herself, the worried mother begins giving cold medicine. And the cause of coughing or sneezing may be. Therefore, it is necessary to learn to distinguish colds from allergic manifestations.

Seasonal allergies mean a disease that occurs during some period of the year. Another name for this type of allergy is hay fever. Seasonal allergies are officially recognized as a disease that negatively affects productivity, school performance and can cause serious complications in the form of bronchial asthma. Most patients experience.

Starting from the spring flowering period, a large amount of pollen from various plants and trees is released into the air. For allergy sufferers, spring becomes a real challenge. They cannot walk or sleep freely, and young patients become capricious, restless, and eat poorly, which worries parents even more. Flowering begins in mid or late April. During the warm season, the flowering of some plants ends and the period of others begins. Therefore, the concentration of allergens can be maintained in the air for a long time.

What factors influence the occurrence of allergies?

Sometimes allergies can appear in people who have never had one before. The occurrence of an allergic reaction in a child is influenced by:

genetic predisposition;
bacteriological and viral diseases;
environmental degradation;
artificial feeding;
improper behavior of the mother during pregnancy;
general health;
lack of vitamin D.

With a genetic predisposition, the child is at risk from the same allergens as the parents. But kids can outgrow the allergic age. After 13 years, children’s immunity goes through a developing stage. If the parents followed the doctors' instructions, the disease may disappear. But the problem is that most parents may not know or remember which pollen they had a negative reaction to.

At first, the baby may be prone to an allergy to the pollen of a particular plant. This is called monoallergy. When there is no treatment, a reaction to other allergens occurs (polyallergy). For example, a child develops allergies to food, animal hair, household dust, and chemicals. Clothes washed with powder can cause rashes on the baby's body.

The presence of bacteriological and viral diseases weakens the immunity of children, so they need to be treated on time so that other ailments do not develop. Doctors recommend not switching to artificial feeding unless necessary, as this doubles the risk of seasonal allergies. Breast milk contains many beneficial substances that strengthen the body of children, which increases resistance to disease.

During pregnancy, a woman must monitor her diet and routine. You should not overuse certain foods, as they most often cause allergies. Such products include chocolate, nuts, halva, honey, citrus fruits. The expectant mother should avoid foods that contain preservatives, flavors, and dyes. It is unacceptable to smoke and abuse alcohol.

Which trees are dangerous for children?

Any tree or plant can become dangerous for a child. But there are trees whose pollen most often annoys people. Birch comes first. In addition, allergies can be caused by:

alder;
maple;
hazel;
ash;
Apple tree;
apricot;
cherries;
ambrosia;
sagebrush;
pine.

The condition of allergy sufferers during flowering vegetation is worsened by weather factors. When it rains, pollen settles and its concentration in the air decreases sharply. In windy, dry weather the reverse process occurs. The wind carries microparticles of flowers to areas where there is no park area.

To make it easier to determine which allergen causes a reaction in the baby, the mother needs to observe what foods she is allergic to even before the flowering period. For example, if a baby has an allergic reaction to fruit puree or juice, then these are prerequisites for the occurrence of hay fever. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that fruits and pollen contain identical protein molecules.

Such a connection is observed between alder and carrots, melon and dandelion, citrus fruits and some types of daisies. If it occurs after eating plum jam, then a walk through a birch grove can provoke a cough and runny nose. Avoid apple blossom areas if your child cannot eat kiwi or potatoes. Dandelions and wormwood pose a danger to honey.

Manifestations of seasonal allergies

Symptoms of hay fever vary depending on the stage of the disease, age and health status of the little patient. The main signs of the disease are:

runny nose with clear discharge;
swelling of the nasopharynx;
lacrimation;
redness of the eyes;
insomnia;
itching and burning in the nose (the child rubs his nose);
allergic conjunctivitis;
rashes on various parts of the body;
dry skin;
irritability;
lack of appetite;
slight increase in body temperature (rare).

These signs may also be accompanied by stuffy ears, hyperactivity, coughing, and sneezing. Skin rashes usually appear on the stomach, groin, and between the fingers. Insomnia as a symptom appears when the baby has a stuffy nose and cannot breathe. Breathing may be impaired with the development of bronchial asthma. In this case, treatment must be started immediately.

An allergist will help diagnose the disease. Diagnostic measures include skin tests for allergens and blood tests for antibodies. No tests are carried out during the flowering period. During the examination, it is necessary to inform the doctor about all manifestations of allergies that the child may have had before, but have passed. Since there is a connection between hay fever and food allergies, reactions to certain foods may persist in winter. For example, if you were allergic to buckwheat pollen in the summer, then the reaction to honey collected during this period may persist in the winter.

How is hay fever treated?

Treatment of spring allergies in children requires a serious approach. An advanced disease will lead to complications that may affect the future. All that is required is to avoid contact with allergens. This is easier to do if you have a food allergy. It is enough to remove foods to which you have a reaction from your diet. But in the case of a pollen allergy, this cannot be done.

Therefore, doctors prescribe antihistamines. These can be drops, syrups or tablets. The dose is set individually depending on the age and weight of the baby. For skin rashes, antiallergic gels are used, and for allergic rhinitis, nasal drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect are used.

Children may be advised to take vitamin D, probiotics, and immune-boosting medications. In addition to treatment, parents should take certain measures to reduce the manifestations of the disease. In order not to aggravate the child’s condition, it is necessary to get rid of pets (cats, dogs). Don't get fish or parrots instead. Bird feathers are also allergens.

The baby's room should always be clean. Remove household dust daily. You should not cover the floor in the room with carpet. Pillows should be synthetic, not feather. Wash your baby's clothes with soap without additives or strong odors. Remove all plants from the children's room.

Additional Reminders for Parents

Walking will have to be shortened or taken after rain. You should not walk in parks or through heavily polluted areas.

If possible, change your place of residence during flowering.

Some parents take their children from big cities to the sea. When driving a car, close the windows.

Set a routine for your child. Let him go to bed and get up at the same time. Ensure drinking regime. Water procedures are important during such a period. Rinse your baby every 2 hours. By following these measures, you can significantly influence the patient’s condition.

Seasonal allergies are a reaction of the human immune system to environmental irritants that come into contact with the body at certain times of the year. This phenomenon is also called “hay fever” (pollen), which means “pollen”. The disease has long roots: even the ancient Greeks (both common people and members of the elite) suffered from ragweed, which caused suffocation and skin rashes. Seasonal allergies to ragweed are the scourge of modern society. This attractive bright green plant with carved openwork leaves is still enemy number 1 among representatives of various flora.

Its tiny pollen is considered one of the most powerful allergens, capable of causing the appearance of just 25 grains of the substance per 1 cubic meter of air. One plant can produce several million of these particles that can cause asthma in a person - a dangerous path.

Historical reference

Returning to history... Mention of a condition similar to seasonal allergies is found in the works of Claudius Galen, a Greek doctor. The connection between mass 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 associated 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 was actually pollen. 16 years later, at an open meeting of the Society of Russian Doctors, which took place in St. Petersburg, Dr. L. Silich spoke about hay fever, and for the first time seasonal allergies manifested themselves on a large scale in the 1960s in the Krasnodar Territory. Its causative agent was ragweed, brought to Russia from the United States with wheat grain.

Today, according to official statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is familiar with seasonal allergies, which do not distinguish people by age, gender or region of residence. The actual number of people suffering from hay fever is actually much higher and, despite significant advances in the study of ways to combat this disease, is inexorably growing every year. How to treat seasonal allergies?

Causes of seasonal allergies

The causes of hay fever, which is provoked by plant pollen and fungal spores (from 500 to 700 species), are:

hereditary factor;
weakened immune system;
the presence of chronic bronchopulmonary diseases;
the presence of another type of allergy in the body (to food, medications, chemical compounds);
harmful working conditions;
unfavorable ecological state of the external environment.

What plants should you watch out for?

Seasonal allergies are caused by plants that are unpretentious to location and climatic conditions, but are aggressive towards humans from an allergic point of view: maple, alder, oak, cypress, birch, ash, linden, willow, walnut, elm, hazel. Meadow grasses include timothy, alfalfa, and clover during the flowering period. Rye, buckwheat, wheat, oats are grain crops that provoke the development of such a dangerous condition in humans as seasonal allergies. Ragweed and artemisia pollen should also be avoided.

The change of seasons is also one of the causes of hay fever. The disease manifests itself most acutely in the spring and autumn, much less frequently in summer, and extremely rarely in winter. Seasonal treatment, which is a rather lengthy process, may occur due to the flowering of the above-mentioned herbs.

Spring allergies: symptoms

Spring is the time of awakening of nature and hay fever at the same time. How seasonal allergies manifest themselves:

Less commonly observed is a rash on the body, urticaria, and severely itchy 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 ARVI, characteristic of this season.

The distinguishing feature between a viral infection and seasonal allergies is the absence of elevated body temperature. With hay fever it is not present. It is especially dangerous in children and the elderly, as it is characterized by hidden symptoms at the initial stage and rapid development of exacerbation in the future.

Seasonal allergies, the treatment of which is a fairly lengthy process and requires considerable patience, are sometimes accompanied by migraine attacks, irritability, abdominal pain and nausea (when pollen enters the digestive system). An exacerbation of symptoms can develop in approximately 10% of allergy sufferers and require immediate medical attention. Otherwise called “Quincke’s edema” or “giant urticaria”, it is characterized by an abrupt onset, spontaneous course, and unpredictable completion caused by swelling of the subcutaneous tissue, mucous membranes and skin. Most often, the upper body, neck and face are susceptible to such a dangerous reaction.

The seasonal period begins in early April, when birch and alder begin to bloom, and ends in May. By the way, birch pollen can spread over long distances. A person suffering from hay fever sometimes becomes amazed, realizing that he is suffering from a birch allergen, while there are no white-trunked beauties nearby.

The opinion that poplar fluff is harmful as an allergen is erroneous. Poplars that bloom early at the end of May cover the soil with white fluff, which is an excellent transport vehicle for heavy pollen settling from trees growing in the neighborhood. People who suffer from seasonal allergies generally begin to notice symptoms 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 activated during this period of time:

pollen of plants that bloom in the autumn season;
mold fungi that appear at high air humidity;
various mites.

Plant pollen enters through the human respiratory organs, causing 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, cause various allergic manifestations. In addition to the main symptoms, autumn allergies can manifest as itching in the mouth and throat, which in medical practice sounds like “oral allergy syndrome.”

Seasonal allergies in a child

In children, seasonal allergies, the treatment of which should have an integrated approach, can occur nonspecifically, representing a “camouflaged” hay fever and manifesting itself in:

partial redness of the eyes;
pain and congestion in the ears;
cough;
habit of constantly touching your nose.

The exact cause of these symptoms can only be determined by an allergist through the use of special diagnostics that can identify a specific allergen.

Hay fever or ARVI?

Seasonal allergies, reviews of the treatment of which confirm its temporary nature, in some cases may still be accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which significantly complicates the accurate diagnosis of the disease, since the observed clinical picture is very similar to acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections, especially at the onset of the disease. And the patients themselves, noticing a runny nose, headache, malaise, lack of rash, mistakenly take allergic manifestations for a cold and begin self-treatment.

The consequence of uncontrolled use of drugs is the erasure of the symptoms inherent in hay fever, the complication of the course of the disease and the body’s manifestation of a more aggressive reaction to the present inflammatory process.

Fever is most often observed in young children, along with the manifestation of hives and skin rashes. Also, seasonal allergies can be accompanied by feverish conditions, especially in children 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. A medical specialist-allergist conducts an examination of the respiratory system and nasal cavity, general clinical diagnostics with mandatory sputum and blood tests, conducting allergy tests to identify the “culprit” of physical ailment, as well as consultations with a dermatologist, immunologist, ENT doctor, and pulmonologist.

How to avoid allergies?

Seasonal allergies, whose symptoms are sudden and dangerous, are a disease that you need to be careful about. Therefore, the following recommendations apply:

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 for 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.

Treatment (drugs)

Antihistamines:

1st generation: “Diphenhydramine”, “Chloropyramine”, “Pipolfen”, “Suprastin”, “Diprazine”.
2nd generation: “Hifenadine”, “Clemastine”, “Oxatomide”, “Azelastine”, “Doxypamine”.
3rd generation: “Astemizole”, “Acrivastine”, “Norastemizole”, “Terfenadine”;.
4th generation: Loratadine, Cetirizine, Ebastine.

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 nasal sinuses stops and their swelling decreases.

The 3rd and 4th generation drugs are considered the most harmless and effective. Medicines are indicated throughout the entire flowering period of plants, even if there are no allergic symptoms. Positive features are the speed of action (up to 60 minutes), high activation of their absorption by the digestive organs, and lack of addiction.

Vasoconstrictors, well suppressing the symptoms of rhinitis and normalizing the tone of the circulatory system. These are “Galazolin”, “Sanorin”, “Otrivin”, “Oxymetazoline” - medicines that neutralize nasal congestion and get rid of 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 forms 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.
Glucocorticosteroids. Prescribed in cases of ineffective action of antihistamines. Used for a short course until acute symptoms disappear completely; The treatment is gentle and gentle. Quickly relieve inflammation. These are Rhinocort, Beconase, Betamethasone, Nazacort, Sintaris.

Traditional medicine: recipes

Seasonal allergies in August, the treatment of which is effective with traditional therapy, are successfully treated with traditional methods. It is recommended to use them only after consultation with your doctor and only during the period of easing of the disease. Natural products should be used very carefully, since most of them are allergens.

An infusion based on black currant leaves and shoots is effective. Dried raw materials in the amount of 2 tablespoons must be poured with 1.5 cups of boiling water, left 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 remedy is aimed at activating the immune system and ridding the body of toxins.

Horsetail is characterized by a positive effect on the body. Pour 2 tablespoons of dry raw material into a glass of boiling water, leave to brew for half an hour, then strain. Drink hourly throughout the day. Then a 2-day break. In total, horsetail decoction should be taken for 2 weeks.

According to reviews from many who have recovered from hay fever, fresh or dried figs have a good effect, which must be taken daily.

The product normalizes the functioning of the digestive system, strengthens the immune system and activates metabolism. Figs should be eaten on an empty stomach, half an hour before breakfast and dinner, one fruit at a time.

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. To prepare the juice, you should choose a freshly picked root vegetable. Drink the resulting composition one teaspoon before meals for half a month.

Honey is an ingredient in many traditional medicine recipes. Allergists do not recommend treatment with such a pollen product, which can cause an allergic attack. Even if no negative reactions were observed when consuming honey, it is possible that they may appear as a symptom.

Treatment of seasonal allergies will show good results with regular use of proven recipes and great patience. Sometimes, in order to wait for a positive result, herbal infusions should be taken for months, or even more. Relief of symptoms of hay fever can be observed after several weeks, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient and the intensity of the allergy.

Preventive measures

According to reviews from people who are familiar first-hand with seasonal allergies, an important factor is compliance with preventive measures, namely:

Avoiding contact with provoking plants. During their flowering, if possible, you should rarely go outside and reduce your walking time, especially on hot and windy days.
Closing windows and doors indoors. It is effective to cover them with a transparent, damp cloth that absorbs pollen.
Thoroughly wash your hands and entire body after coming from outside.
Moving to places with humid air (vacation by the sea or river coast) during the period of active flowering of plants.
Strengthening the immune system by consuming vitamin-containing preparations several months before the flowering period.