Sinusitis

Hay fever is an allergic disease caused by. Symptoms and causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis, the connection between hay fever and plant flowering in summer

What are the causes of the disease? Is it possible to prevent the appearance of negative symptoms? How to treat hay fever in adults and children? The answers are in the article.

Hay fever: what is it?

Reasons for the development of an allergic reaction

Signs and symptoms

General rules and methods of treatment

Allergen removal

Medicines

Specific immunotherapy

Hay fever in children

Preventive recommendations

An immediate allergic reaction develops in people who are sensitive to pollen components of certain plants. Seasonality of the disease is a characteristic sign of hay fever: lacrimation, damage to the conjunctiva, cough and runny nose appear during the flowering period of poplar, ragweed, wormwood, and quinoa.

The name “hay fever” was not given to the allergic reaction by chance: it affects not only the respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal passages, which are in direct contact with the allergen, but also other organs. In severe cases of spring catarrh, Quincke's edema develops, negative reactions appear on the skin, and sometimes internal organs swell.

The ICD code for hay fever is J30–J39 (disease block “Other diseases of the upper respiratory tract”).

ICD-10 is used in international practice for clear systematization and analysis of diseases.

The disease develops when the body is oversensitized to the action of a tiny irritant - pollen from wind-pollinated plants. The size of the allergen is no more than 0.04 mm; inhalation or contact of the smallest particles on the conjunctiva, nasal passages, and oral mucosa is sufficient to penetrate the body.

Learn about the common symptoms of cat allergies in children and how to treat your body's reaction.

For instructions for use and dosage of Suprastin in ampoules for children of different ages, see this page.

Process Features:

the reason for the active action of pollen is “permeability factors” that facilitate the introduction of microscopic elements into areas of the epithelium;
after the development of a local inflammatory process, soluble allergic components quickly penetrate into the blood, enter different parts of the body, firmly attach to mast cells, and provoke the release of serotonin and histamine;
the result is an active reaction of the body in the form of spasms of smooth muscles, swelling of the mucous membranes, abundant production of mucus, and difficulty breathing;
no more than a third of an hour passes from contact with pollen to the development of clear symptoms;
with increased sensitization and weak immunity, manifestations of allergies in various parts of the body, including internal organs, are often added.

The tendency to have a negative reaction to plant pollen is often inherited. A genetically determined disease is highly likely to develop in more than half of children if the father and mother are diagnosed with hay fever.

Pollen bronchial asthma, as the allergic disease is often called by people, is often confused with a cold. In late spring - early summer and from August to mid-September, acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and other colds are diagnosed less frequently, but not all patients know the signs of hay fever and allergies are rarely suspected.

Without consulting a doctor, it is difficult to choose the right treatment method. Cough tablets and syrups do not help; a runny nose cannot be cured even with the help of high-quality sprays and drops with an active therapeutic effect. Patients are confused; they do not understand why the symptoms of a cold do not go away. The reason is simple - it is an allergic reaction; other methods of therapy are needed.

How to recognize hay fever? Main symptoms:

redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes;
copious discharge from the nasal passages, liquid, transparent mucus;
irritability;
coughing attacks, in severe cases suffocation develops;
redness of the epidermis, allergic rash;
sore throat.

If symptoms similar to a cold appear, it is important to visit a physician in time. If the doctor suspects that a persistent runny nose or cough with attacks of suffocation are signs of pollen bronchial asthma, he will definitely refer you for a consultation with an allergist. Using special tests, after a conversation with the patient, the doctor will determine the type of allergy and prescribe comprehensive treatment.

Note! Hay fever has a strong seasonal character; symptoms appear from the beginning of flowering of plants until the end of this period. From October to April, allergy patients suffering from a reaction to pollen do not experience noticeable discomfort.

Allergen removal

Lack of contact with plant pollen is a prerequisite for reducing or completely disappearing negative symptoms. Often, after weeding a flower garden or fighting ragweed near the house, attacks of pollen bronchial asthma stop.

Sometimes pollen exposure cannot be stopped by landscaping an area or city with allergenic plants. What to do? You will have to leave the populated area during flowering.

Some patients do not have this option. You need to adapt to living near allergenic trees or flowers.

How to proceed:

leave the house less often on a sunny, windy day;
close windows;
ventilate the apartment during rain, when pollen settles down and is not carried by the wind;
use air purifiers;
do not go out into nature;
do wet cleaning indoors more often;
wear a medical mask outside;
avoid contact with plants that have similar allergic effects;
take medications prescribed by your doctor to prevent allergic reactions. The best option is long-acting tablets. Syrup or drops are suitable for children.

Taking modern medications allows patients to lead a normal lifestyle and experience less discomfort from seasonal allergies. Antihistamine compounds belonging to the third and fourth generation do not cause drowsiness, and the negative effect is minimal. Taking many medications does not interfere with work and study, concentration is maintained, there are no delayed reactions, and driving is allowed.

Effective drugs for the rapid elimination of symptoms of Quincke's edema, allergic dermatoses, conjunctivitis, rhinitis:

Terfenadine.
Loratadine.
Astemizole.

Components of topical glucocorticosteroids with high anti-inflammatory activity stop sneezing, unblock the nasal passages, and reduce itching. Potent drugs are allowed to be used only as prescribed by an allergist. Glucocorticosteroids are recommended for severe forms of seasonal rhinitis. For allergic conjunctivitis, combination medications show a positive effect.

Drugs with anti-inflammatory effect:

Flucticasone.
Garazon.
Beclamethasone.
Triamcinolone.

Important! The selection of medications for seasonal allergies is carried out only by an experienced doctor. It’s not always possible to find the best option the first time, but you can’t stop trying. The pharmaceutical industry offers many antihistamine formulations for patients of different ages. Most allergy sufferers find “their” drug after a while and successfully use the medicine throughout the flowering period of dangerous plants.

Specific immunotherapy

One of the effective methods of therapy, the duration of treatment using SIT is from three to five years. The essence of the method is to rebuild the patient’s immune system so that the body stops perceiving pollen as an allergen.

Features of the method:

the patient receives small doses of the irritant subcutaneously, the immune response is adjusted, and with each new portion the pollen irritates the body less and less;
gradually the allergic reaction disappears or the manifestations are very weak and do not cause serious inconvenience in everyday life;
the dosage and method of administration (subcutaneously, sublingually or into the nasal passages) are chosen by the allergist. The treatment is long-term, regular visits to a specialist are required, you should not miss an appointment, you need to adjust the dose in time in case of an acute reaction;
During treatment, complications are possible: skin itching, redness at the site of pollen injection, tissue swelling.
If the rules are strictly followed, most patients almost completely forget about such an unpleasant disease as seasonal allergies. Of course, there are also failures: it is important to remember that none of the methods provides a 100% guarantee of a cure, especially if you have chronic diseases or live in areas with poor ecology.

How to treat an allergic cough? Look at the list of medications and recipes for folk remedies.

Find out what acute urticaria looks like in children and how to treat an allergic reaction from this article.

High sensitivity to pollen often provokes the following upper respiratory tract lesions in young allergy sufferers:

tracheitis. The main symptom is a painful, “barking”, dry cough;
allergic pharyngitis. Granularity of the pharynx, itching and sore throat, cough without sputum discharge;
laryngitis. The voice is hoarse, the child is periodically tormented by a cough, and expectoration is difficult.

Weak children show skin signs of seasonal allergies:

hives;
Quincke's edema;
atopic and contact dermatitis.

With a severe reaction to pollen, diseases of the internal organs develop:

hepatitis;
colitis;
cystitis;
myocarditis.

With hay fever in children, seizures or Meniere's syndrome are rarely recorded. An aggravated reaction to pollen in young patients, just like in adults, manifests itself in the summer.

Treatment is carried out with antihistamines, drugs from the glucocorticosteroid group, taking into account age. You cannot give a small allergy sufferer the same compounds that your neighbor’s child takes: the body’s reaction is individual, and dangerous manifestations are possible, especially before one year of age. When treating infants, it is recommended to mix the drops with mother's milk or formula to reduce the risk of side effects.

It is important to choose the appropriate form of medication. For example, the drug Zodak for allergies has three varieties: drops, tablets and medicinal syrup, but up to two years only drops are allowed to be used.

Allergists offer several preventative measures to prevent hay fever or reduce the risk of developing the disease. Some actions are available to a specific person; to eliminate other factors, the participation of sanitary services and green management workers is required.

Doctors distinguish two types of prevention:

primary. The task is to prevent negative reactions and remove harmful factors. Beneficial actions: hardening the body, rational nutrition, reasonable physical activity, limiting contact with allergens. Greening populated areas with non-allergenic plants and controlling weeds, especially ragweed, is the task of public utilities;
secondary. Responsibility lies with the patient and the allergist observing a patient diagnosed with hay fever. Objectives: reduce negative symptoms during seasonal exacerbations or prevent their occurrence, prescribe and take a course of medications in a timely manner that reduce the influence of allergens.

Hay fever is quite difficult to overcome; many patients visit an allergist for many years, monitor the course of the disease, and adapt to life complicated by seasonal allergies. When selecting optimal medications and following all recommendations for the patient, negative signs appear with less force. The use of specific immunotherapy in the absence of contraindications increases the chances of cure. Patience, a positive attitude towards the result, and trust in the doctor improve the outcome of therapy.

Next video. Elena Malysheva and the TV show “Live Healthy” about the manifestations and treatment of hay fever:

Due to the deteriorating environmental situation, the number of patients with allergies is growing every day. The most common disease is hay fever, which can cause painful allergy symptoms in both adults and young children.

In different countries, it affects up to 30% of the population. To deal with the problem, you need to know what hay fever is and how to eliminate its manifestations or reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory reaction. Let's look at this in more detail.

Hay fever(the second name is seasonal allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis) is a group of allergic diseases that occur seasonally and are characterized by acute allergic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and eyes, and less often of the skin. Sometimes the pathological process can affect other organs and systems (allergic gastritis, cystitis, etc.).

Some sources call this disease hay fever. This name is a tribute to the historical past. When this disease was first described, doctors believed that its development was associated with the influence of hay. It has now been established that hay plays virtually no role in the development of the disease, and fever practically does not occur with this pathology.

Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen from various plants. There are several groups of allergenic plants: cereals, weeds and trees.

The incidence and exacerbation of the disease occurs during the flowering period of these plants:

first wave (April-May). During this period, active flowering of trees is observed. The most common causes of an allergic reaction are: poplar, hazel, birch and alder pollen;
second wave (beginning of summer). Cereal plants begin to bloom. One of the most active allergens is rye and wheat. This type of disease occurs mainly in rural residents;
third wave (late summer-early autumn). Weeds (quinoa, timothy, wormwood, etc.) actively produce pollen.

Sensitization to a particular type of pollen depends largely on geographic location. So in the USA, allergies to ragweed are more common, and in the south of Russia to sunflower and corn.

In addition, the following factors are important in the development of the disease:

family history of allergies;
birth trauma and infectious diseases in young children;
unhealthy diet and bad habits;
frequent viral infections;
geographic climate and month of birth (children born in regions with abundant pollen activity during the spring and summer months are more likely to develop hay fever);
harmful industrial and domestic conditions.

Pollen allergies can present with a variety of symptoms. The most common signs of pathology are:

Allergic rhinitis. This form of the disease is accompanied by:

runny nose;
nasal congestion and swelling;
clear mucous discharge;
decreased or loss of sense of smell;
constant sneezing;
stuffy ears.

Allergic conjunctivitis. The patient is concerned about the following symptoms:

lacrimation;
photophobia;
inflammation of the conjunctiva;
discomfort and pain in the eyes.

A combination of the two previous forms - rhinoconjunctivitis
Bronchial asthma. Occurs in 20-30% of patients. Its common symptoms:

cough;
attacks of suffocation;
shortness of breath at rest and during exercise;
wheezing in the lungs, rapid breathing and tachycardia.

Skin manifestations of the disease:

such as various rashes;
itchy skin;
hives;
swelling of the subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes.

Rare manifestations of hay fever also include:

disorders of the digestive tract and damage to the genitourinary system (nephritis, cystitis, etc.).

All these manifestations of the disease are characterized by one common feature - they develop exclusively in the same season, have a favorable course and respond well to treatment with antihistamines.

Important! Often, an allergy to pollen of certain plants is combined with a food allergy to certain foods. So, if a patient is allergic to wormwood, then he often develops an allergy to potatoes, sunflower oil and seeds. Such patients need to use allergenic foods like honey with caution and it is better not to be treated with herbal medicine.

In pregnant women, hay fever often develops against the background of hormonal changes in the body, especially when the first trimester of pregnancy occurs during the flowering season of plants.

The disease manifests itself in various forms, but usually pregnant women are bothered by a runny nose and eye problems. Severe attacks of bronchial asthma develop less frequently.

Pregnant patients are prescribed to adhere to the regimen and, if necessary, medications are selected. Cases have been recorded in which, after childbirth, hay fever was cured on its own and in the future did not remind of itself with a single symptom. Most likely, this is due to the normalization of hormonal levels.

to the content?

Hay fever can occur in a child of any age, but the disease most often occurs in children 4-8 years old. Early onset of the disease is observed in children who had diathesis or atopic dermatitis in early childhood. Hay fever is more common in bottle-fed children than in breastfed children. In addition, diseases during pregnancy and infection during childbirth are important. Males get sick more often than females.

In children, the disease manifests itself as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or a combination thereof. A runny nose is accompanied by sneezing, nasal congestion and mucous clear discharge. Conjunctivitis begins with discomfort and itching in the area of the eyeballs, then lacrimation, pain and pain in the eyes. When these two syndromes are combined, the baby may experience increased fatigue and drowsiness. The child begins to sleep poorly and loses weight.

Bronchial asthma as a manifestation of hay fever in children is quite rare. This form usually occurs together with other variants of the disease and is accompanied by chest discomfort, asthma attacks and a dry cough.

Skin manifestations of hay fever develop more often in children than in adults. This may be urticaria with various elements of a rash, skin itching or Quincke-type edema. Allergic contact dermatitis is rare.

In children, the pathology is accompanied by pronounced changes in the nervous system, since children are more emotional and unstable. They become capricious, whiny, irritated for no reason, their sleep and appetite are disturbed. Against this background, an increase in temperature to subfebrile levels may occasionally be recorded. Sometimes there are problems with the functioning of the digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Diagnosis of hay fever occurs in several stages:

The history of a small patient is studied. To do this, the child himself and his parents are interviewed. They focus on the connection of the disease with the time of year and the flowering season of dust plants. The child is examined by various specialists: ENT, ophthalmologist and others.

The likelihood of hay fever is high with the following anamnestic data:

allergies in parents and close relatives;
the disease and its symptoms occur once a year during the flowering period of plants;
at other times there are no signs of the disease.

Based on the data received suggest a diagnosis of hay fever.

For this purpose, various methods are used:

skin tests. Do not carry out during the period of exacerbation of the disease and in children under 3 years of age. Before the study, the patient should not take hormonal or antihistamine medications.
determination of specific immunoglobulin E in blood serum;
immunoblotting. The air panel includes the most common pollen allergens, such as birch, alder, poplar, ragweed, wormwood, etc.
provocative tests. They are used only in hospital settings for patients with complex diagnoses. Practically not used in childhood.

At the last stage, the doctor assesses the severity of the disease (mild, moderate or severe) and develops an individual treatment regimen for the patient separately for the period of exacerbation and remission.

Approaches to treating the disease depend on the severity and manifestations of hay fever. Various tablets and medications are used to eliminate symptoms.

To eliminate the symptoms of rhinitis and nasal congestion, various drops and sprays are used:

hormonal (Avamys, etc.). Use a week before flowering so that the effect of the hormone can accumulate and manifest itself in full. Use for a month. Can be used in children after the age of three. They do not have a systemic effect on the body;

decongestants (vasoconstrictors). Used in emergency situations when it is completely impossible to breathe. Use no more than a week. Many sprays and drops with different active ingredients and dosages have been developed for children and adults (Sanorin, Nazol-baby, etc.);

antihistamine drops (Vibrocil, Allergodil). The composition includes a local antihistamine, which effectively eliminates the manifestations of allergic rhinitis. Use for about 2 weeks;

sprays and washes based on sea water. They remove part of the allergen from the nasal mucosa, partially relieve swelling and wash out mucus from the nose. Used in children of any age, pregnant and lactating women.

You can relieve eye symptoms using drops and ointments:

rinsing with decoctions of antiseptic herbs: chamomile baths, rinsing with calendula decoction, etc.);
hormonal ointments (prednisolone, etc.) relieve inflammation and relieve itching;
eye allergy drops (Lecrolin, etc.);
when an infection occurs, use eye drops with an antibiotic (Sofradex).

For severe itching and rash use:

antihistamine ointments (Fenistil);
hormonal ointments (hydrocortisone, etc.);
baths and lotions with decoctions of antipruritic herbs (oak bark, chamomile).

Local remedies are used only for mild cases of the disease, or as part of complex therapy. Antihistamines are used as a systemic treatment for allergies. These drugs block the release of histamine and prevent an allergic inflammatory reaction from starting.

To treat hay fever, antihistamines of various generations are used:

I-th ( Tavegil and others.). The main side effects are sedation and severe drowsiness. They work for 6 hours. A side effect in the form of dry mucous membranes can have a positive effect in the treatment of a runny nose with copious discharge;
II ( Loratadine and others.). The main group of drugs for the treatment of hay fever. They act quickly and for a long time. These tablets have a negative effect on the heart, which must be taken into account in patients with problems in this area. Do not cause a hypnotic effect;
III-e ( Tsetrin and others.). Deprived of most of the side effects of the two previous groups. They act for a long time and gently.

Systemic hormones in the treatment of the disease can be used to relieve attacks of bronchial asthma (intravenously or inhaled). In addition, hormones are indicated for severe hay fever, accompanied by the development of life-threatening conditions, for example, Quincke's edema.

Specific immunotherapy can have a good effect in the treatment of hay fever when the causative allergen is accurately identified. It is carried out in courses outside of exacerbation (late autumn, winter or early spring).

Primary prevention is aimed at preventing people at risk from developing hay fever. For this we recommend:

balanced diet;
normal sleep and rest patterns;
living in ecologically clean areas;
planning pregnancy at a certain time of the year (outside the flowering season);
choosing a place to live taking into account plants and trees (avoid allergenic plants in the immediate vicinity of housing).

If the patient is already sick with hay fever, then secondary prevention comes into force, aimed at preventing the deterioration of his condition and alleviating the symptoms of the disease. Recommendations for patients with this type of allergy:

Limiting or eliminating contact with the allergen, up to moving to another region during the flowering season;
Control of dust and pollen content in living spaces. The use of vacuum cleaners with hepa filters, humidifiers and other air purifying devices.
Limiting outdoor visits during the period when allergenic plants are active.
Regular showering and rinsing your nose after coming from outside.
Hypoallergenic diet. It has been proven that with hay fever, cross-allergy to certain foods occurs. For example, with an allergy to birch pollen, a cross-reaction to apples and nuts often develops.
The patient and his relatives need to be taught the treatment regimen during exacerbation and prevention during remission.
Do not plan operations and trips during the flowering period of plants and do not travel outside the city or into nature at this time.

Question: What is nasal hay fever and how does this disease manifest itself? Answer: Hay fever is an allergic disease caused by pollen from various plants. The disease manifests itself in the nasal cavity with rhinitis, congestion, swelling and clear watery discharge from the nose, as well as constant sneezing. Question: What does the diagnosis of “allergic hay fever” mean? Answer: This is the wrong term, since hay fever is an allergy to pollen, so there is no need to use the word allergic, because hay fever is not just non-allergic. Question: Can such seasonal allergies develop into bronchial asthma or not? Answer: Yes, there is such a possibility; 20-30% of patients with hay fever develop bronchial asthma of an allergic nature. Therefore, the disease needs to be monitored, prevented and treated in a timely manner.

Hay fever- These are allergic diseases caused by the body's reaction to pollen from various plants. Its symptoms cause many problems for both adults and children. Various groups of medications are used for treatment.

Hay fever (code according to the international classification of diseases ICD-10) is one of the most common allergic diseases and occurs in 2-20% of the world's population. The first official information about this disease appeared back in 1819. The disease was initially called hay fever, as hay was thought to be the cause of its occurrence.

Hay fever in children occurs a little differently than in adults: the main symptoms differ. There are several thousand plant species on our planet, but only about 50 of them have pollen, which causes hay fever. Hay fever is a seasonal disease that affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and eyes. The pollen of all plants has allergenic activity, which is why after contact with it, sensitive people prone to allergic reactions develop this disease (ICD 10).

After contact with an allergen - pollen, an inflammatory process begins on the nasal mucosa. Pollen particles settle on the mucous surface of the respiratory tract, causing the following symptoms:

frequent sneezing,
allergic rhinitis,
swelling in the nose (impossible to breathe through one or both nostrils),
itching of the palate, eyes, nose,
increased salivation,
tearfulness.

Hay fever - an allergic reaction to pollen

Also, the patient gradually begins to show general symptoms of the disease (ICD 10):

irritability,
increased fatigue,
loss of appetite,
sleep problems,
depressive state.

It is very important to distinguish the signs of hay fever from a common cold in time, since the principles of treatment for these ailments are different.

First, the patient begins to sneeze; a person can sneeze up to 10 times in a row. This is how pollen affects the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. While the allergen is in effect, the patient is also bothered by a runny nose. Usually, blowing your nose does not help ease nasal breathing, since nasal congestion occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane.

The duration and severity of the allergy (ICD 10) depends on the individual characteristics of the body: for some it can manifest itself as a mild allergic runny nose, and for some people hay fever significantly spoils the quality of life for a week or more.

If the allergen reacts with the mucous membrane of the eyes, inflammation and severe swelling occur. As a result, the eyes become inflamed, red, baked, and the patient is bothered by constant tearing.

In rare cases, hay fever leads to quite serious consequences:

Bronchial asthma.
Quincke's edema.

Also, during seasonal flowering, allergic dermatitis worsens and urticaria appears on the skin.

Hay fever in children manifests itself differently than in adults:

In preschool children, hay fever occurs almost unnoticed. The only symptom is severe congestion in the ears, which can sometimes lead to temporary hearing loss,
in some children the allergy manifests itself only as conjunctivitis,
for the rest - a runny nose and frequent sneezing,
In rare cases, seasonal allergies can manifest as attacks of bronchial asthma.

Main signs of the disease

Diagnostics

If you suspect that you or your child has hay fever, the first step is to rule out diseases with similar symptoms. You need to make an appointment with a therapist or allergist.

If the doctor confirms the diagnosis (ICD 10), the next step will be to determine the source of the allergy. To effectively treat hay fever, it is necessary to find out which plant pollen caused the allergic reaction. This can be done using special tests that accurately determine which type of plant your body is allergic to.

It is best to carry out such tests in winter, when there is no irritating factor and the body does not receive medications to treat allergies. It is in this case that the results of this study will be most reliable.

Allergen determination is carried out using 2 methods:

injection,
prick test.

Diagnosis of hay fever

The test is carried out as follows:

The doctor makes several small scratches on one of the patient's forearms.
Drops of preparations containing high concentrations of various allergen plants are applied to them.
Such solutions can be administered under the skin by injection.
After some time (about 20 minutes), the doctor determines by the size of the scratches which allergen the body reacts to most.

But children undergo such tests only from the age of five. For younger children, an alternative method is used - a blood test for antibodies, which are produced by the body in response to exposure to allergen pollen. The same method is used to diagnose hay fever in pregnant women.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure hay fever once and for all. Treatment comes down to alleviating the patient’s suffering - this is symptomatic therapy. Since the allergy is seasonal and occurs due to pollen, it goes away after the plants stop blooming.

To treat hay fever, doctors most often prescribe the following medications:

Loratadine is an antihistamine that helps treat

You need to know this

To alleviate your condition during the flowering period of plants, follow these useful recommendations:

Avoid country walks. The further you get from the pollen source, the better you will feel. Wait until the allergenic plants bloom, and only then go to the barbecue.
Remember that in windy weather the concentration of pollen in the air is maximum.
Try to walk in cloudy weather or after rain: at this time, all pollen is washed away by water, and there is practically no pollen in the air.
Do wet cleaning at home and humidify the air as often as possible.
You will have to change your diet a little while you are sick. Exclude from your menu:
- chicken meat, eggs,
- apples, pears, plums,
- bee products,
- products with food coloring.

What is the danger of hay fever for people?

During the flowering period, plants and trees release pollen, which contains proteins. If there are no disorders in the human body, then plant pollen is retained in the nasal cavity by mucus and then removed. When the immune system malfunctions, the protective barrier is destroyed. Foreign proteins, thanks to the special molecular structure of pollen, penetrate into the upper layers of the mucous membranes of the nose.

In response to the invasion of a foreign protein, the immune system produces antibodies, which it then directs to the site of the “attack.” As a result, foreign substances are broken down, and the body’s own cells also suffer. An inflammatory reaction begins, which changes the composition of the blood. It is for this reason that the disease manifests itself as a complex of symptoms indicating disruption of the functioning of various organs and tissues, and not just the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity. Even the organs of the lower respiratory system, which do not have direct contact with the allergen, are involved in the pathological process.

Symptoms appear within 10-15 minutes after contact with the allergen, and an immediate allergic reaction occurs.

Hay fever can occur at any age, regardless of a person’s gender. Children are most susceptible to the disease, the reason lies in the weakness of the immune system. If measures are not taken in time, hay fever progresses. With age, this will manifest itself as more pronounced symptoms, and an allergic reaction to those antigens that previously did not cause an inflammatory process is possible. A person who suffers from an allergy to ragweed pollen in his youth may also react painfully to birch pollen in adulthood.

Doctors find it difficult to say why the immune system at some point stops functioning normally. Therefore, the primary factor is unknown. There is a suspicion that genetic abnormalities play a leading role. This theory is supported by the high likelihood of developing hay fever in children whose parents suffered from this form of allergy.

A secondary factor is pollen from plants and trees. It is small in size, appears during flowering and is easily carried by the wind, including landing on human mucous membranes. The most potent allergen is pollen from the following trees and plants:

ambrosia
poplars
birch trees
sunflower
wormwood

A number of factors have also been identified that weaken the body’s protective barriers, thereby facilitating the introduction of pollen elements into the mucous membranes. The most dangerous are infectious diseases and polluted atmosphere. It has been established that children born in the city during the flowering period of trees have an increased risk of developing the disease.

Hay fever is a seasonal and recurrent disease. In most cases, the exacerbation stage alternates with remission every year. In more rare cases, an allergic reaction occurs once every two years.

Most often, sick people complain of the following symptoms:

severe runny nose
eye inflammation
itching and burning at the beginning of the nasal passages
repeated sneezing
tearfulness

These are the first symptoms of hay fever, occurring 20 minutes after contact with the allergen. Then the pathological process spreads to other tissues and after 5-6 hours the clinical picture becomes more obvious. For example, if the bronchial mucosa is affected, signs of bronchial asthma appear. People complain of attacks of severe coughing, choking, burning in the throat and chest.

In most cases, symptoms disappear after the trees bloom. After just a few weeks, swelling subsides, breathing and vision are restored, and heart function returns to normal.

First of all, the patient must be protected from contact with the allergen. If possible, it is better to move to another region, and if this is not possible, you need to stay indoors and not open the windows. For most people, this measure leads to the disappearance of symptoms.

If the signs of hay fever are not eliminated or a person is unable to stay in the apartment for weeks, the doctor prescribes symptomatic treatment. Currently, the following drugs are used to combat hay fever:

cromohexal
aldecine
nasonex

Currently, specific immunotherapy is widely used to treat hay fever. In this case, a person who has a hypersensitive reaction to allergens is given medications that reduce sensitivity to irritants. The course of treatment ranges from three to five years. The drugs can be administered subcutaneously or applied to the nasal mucosa.

An alternative method of restoring the functioning of the immune system is the use of products containing transfer factors. These are molecules consisting of amino acids that carry immune information. Strengthening the cells of the immune system occurs due to the introduction into the body of molecules containing the correct data. They seem to “teach” the immune cells the desired reaction.

Among the immunocorrector products, the 4Life Research line with the logical name Transfer Factor stands out. To combat allergic reactions and prevent hay fever, it is recommended to use TF Classic and Protein PRO-TF.

Transfer Factor Classic is a classic immunocorrector that specifically improves the body's protective functions. When identifying the presence of infections or viruses in the body, as well as after previous illnesses, to prevent hay fever, it is recommended to use a product with a higher content of transfer factor molecules - TF Advance.

As a result of this adjustment, the immune system better recognizes pathogenic microorganisms and quickly responds to a potential threat. In the future, the immune system will “remember” the attacking pests and will not allow their activation. As a result, an allergic reaction to irritants will be excluded.

Protein PRO-TF will also be an indispensable product for symptoms of allergic reactions. Due to its protein and amino acid composition, the body will be completely balanced in proteins and will not react to proteins that cause allergies. An ideal program for restoring the proper functioning of the body's defenses. Life without allergies kit.

There are often cases of complete recovery of people suffering from hay fever after taking immunocorrectors. Immune correctors should act as an auxiliary agent. Before use, it is recommended to consult with your doctor.

Also called seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis , is a seasonal disease that occurs due to a person’s allergic reaction to pollen from flowering plants. Another well-known name for this disease is hay fever.

This disease has been officially known since the nineteenth century - it was then, in 1819, that a certain doctor John Bostock from England described the disease as hay fever, suggesting its connection with hay. However, at the end of the same century it was proven that the cause of the development of this disease is plant pollen.

Today, hay fever is one of the most common allergic diseases. Experts say that a fifth of all people in the world are susceptible to it. The cause of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis is fine plant pollen , which are pollinated by the wind. There are about fifty species of such plants today. As a rule, the disease manifests itself in people before the age of fifty; at a later age, people are practically not susceptible to hay fever. Basically, the symptoms of the disease appear in those patients who previously had a tendency to . Inhalation of plant pollen affects many systems in the body. The disease is characterized by a strictly seasonal manifestation.

Symptoms of hay fever

Under the influence of an allergen, in this case pollen, an inflammatory process occurs in the nasal mucosa. Inside the nose there is a mucous membrane, the main function of which is to remove any particles from the exhaled air in order to prevent them from entering the human lungs. Plant pollen particles settle on the mucous membrane and cause allergic manifestations.

Thus, the human immune system reacts to a “collision” with plant pollen. Symptoms of this disease usually include runny nose , violation or absence possibilities breathe through your nose , itchy eyes , nose , sky , increased salivation . Watery discharge appears from the nose. A person also exhibits general symptoms of hay fever: high level of fatigue , irritability , bad , weight loss . With allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, other organs may also be affected. It is very important to distinguish between the symptoms of hay fever and the manifestation of normal colds .

Before the onset of an attack of hay fever, the patient often experiences multiple sneezing due to irritation of the nasal mucosa by pollen: sometimes patients sneeze several dozen times. As long as the exposure of the nasal mucosa to pollen continues, a person will experience a runny nose.

In most cases, this disease begins in childhood or adolescence. The disease often affects boys. Depending on the individual characteristics of each organism, symptoms may be more severe or less pronounced. It happens that the disease goes away a few years later, but in many cases hay fever continues throughout life.

Causes of hay fever

Plant pollen particles contain male reproductive cells. Pollen for fertilization of eggs is carried to other plants by gusts of wind or insects. It is pollen, which falls on plants with the help of the wind, that is the most threatening allergen for patients with hay fever. There is simply a huge amount of such pollen in the atmosphere during the flowering period of plants. At the same time, pollen from plants that are very common in our country provokes allergic reactions. In European countries, the most common cause of this allergic disease is grass pollen.

The season of active manifestation of hay fever occurs during the period of pollen ripening, which directly depends on weather conditions. So, if the spring months were cold, then the pollen may ripen later. The so-called " hay fever season “Occurs in different countries depending on geographical differences: in the south - earlier, in the north - later.

Also, the presence of pollen in the air directly depends on the climatic conditions at the moment. Thus, the highest concentration of pollen in the atmosphere is observed on dry days in fairly windy weather. Warm air currents during such a period can transport pollen over very long distances, sometimes raising it high, sometimes lowering it lower. If the air temperature drops sharply, the pollen falls down, as a result of which peculiar clouds of pollen appear below, close to the surface. If the weather is calm or raining, the pollen content in the air decreases noticeably. The concentration of pollen in the air increases greatly before a thunderstorm begins. Hay fever can also occur due to exposure to mold fungi present in the air.

Plants that cause hay fever

Plants that are pollinated by wind are dangerous from an allergic point of view. This is a row of deciduous trees, weeds and grasses. It is extremely rare that hay fever is caused by pollen from coniferous trees. The most highly allergenic is the pollen of hazel, alder, oak, ash, and birch. Among herbs, allergies are caused by pollen of fescue, bentgrass, timothy, foxtail and other weeds. Also, in the last months of summer and in the first months of autumn, herbs that are dangerous for people sensitive to pollen bloom: wormwood, nettle, quinoa, ragweed.

Diagnosis of hay fever

Due to the fact that the symptoms of this disease appear seasonally, its diagnosis does not present any particular difficulties for specialists. Taking into account the exact period in which the attacks appeared, the doctor helps the patient to determine which flowering plant affects a person in this way. However, it should be noted that people who are susceptible to allergic reactions to plant pollen very rarely suffer from only one specific type of pollen.

When making a diagnosis, it is sometimes necessary to study the contents of nasal discharge. With hay fever they contain, as well as, that is white blood cells that are involved in allergic reactions. Also, to make a diagnosis and establish the type of pollen that provokes such a reaction, skin tests are taken.

Treatment of hay fever

To relieve the symptoms of a runny nose and itching, patients are prescribed antihistaminesV . It should be noted that such medications cannot eliminate swelling. Such drugs, as a rule, have a sedative effect on a person, so patients quite often complain of fatigue and fatigue during treatment. Today there are a number of antihistamines ( , ), are very effective in the treatment of this disease.

To relieve swelling, patients with hay fever are prescribed decongestants. They act on the vessels in the nasal mucosa, narrowing them. Such products are released in the form of drops into the nose, and they act very quickly. But at the same time, the effect of using such a medicine lasts for a relatively short time, as a result of which the drugs need to be used very often. This approach can, after some time, significantly reduce the effectiveness of such funds. In this regard, such medications are recommended to be taken for no more than two weeks. These medications may affect your , raising it. Therefore, people with high blood pressure should be very careful when taking them. Often, decongestants and antihistamines are prescribed in combination.

Subject to regular use antiallergic drugs effectively prevent the release histamine and other chemical mediators. However, such remedies should be used before the onset of the allergic principle. Thus, people who experience seasonal hay fever every year associated with flowering grasses should start taking such medications in early May. Those who suffer from a reaction to pollen from flowering trees should start taking anti-allergic drugs in February. Similar drugs are also used in the treatment of children.

If all attempts to treat the disease with the means described above have not produced the desired effect, then the doctor may prescribe an appointment corticosteroids . Such drugs affect the formation of mucus and swelling, reducing such manifestations. Corticosteroids are prescribed during hay fever to reduce its attacks. Such drugs should be taken long before flowering begins, similar to antiallergic drugs. Such drugs, as a rule, do not cause side effects during the treatment of hay fever. The use of corticosteroids is justified in particularly severe cases.

Today, allergen-specific therapy is also actively used to treat this disease. A person suffering from hay fever is introduced into the body, which is made from plant pollen that provokes an allergic reaction. The doses of the vaccine are gradually increased, which ultimately causes a kind of “addiction” to pollen. Such treatment is carried out only by an allergist. It should be used regularly for several years, vaccination should be carried out during the period when flowering is not observed. Today, this method is considered practically the only way to achieve long-term remission and prevent the development and complications of hay fever.

Doctors also recommend the use climatotherapy . If there is such an opportunity, patients are recommended to leave this climatic zone during the flowering period of plants in order to prevent human contact with pollen that causes an allergic reaction.

Doctors

Medicines

Prevention of hay fever

To prevent the development of hay fever during the flowering period, a number of simple rules should be followed. Thus, the patient should, if possible, stay at home until eleven o'clock in the morning. It is not recommended to go outdoors outside the city during this period. It is advisable to curtain the windows in the house with a very fine mesh and throw away all the dry bouquets. Before going outside, be sure to take sunglasses, and at home, after returning from the street, immediately wash the mucous membranes of your nose and eyes with clean water. People prone to allergies should not use cosmetics, shampoos, and soaps made from allergenic plants. Similarly, you should not eat food from these plants. Long before the start of the flowering season, you need to take a course of medications prescribed by your doctor.

Diet, nutrition for hay fever

List of sources

Goryachkina L. A. Hay fever: Textbook. manual for doctors / L. A. Goryachkina, E. V. Peredkova, E. V. Khramtsova. - M., 2004.
Gushchin I.S., Kurbacheva O.M. Allergy and allergen-specific immunotherapy. - M.: Farmarus Print Media, 2010.
Patterson, R. Allergic diseases: diagnosis and treatment / R Patterson, L.K. Grammer, P.A. Grinberger P.A; M.: Geotar Medicine, 2000.
Goryachkina L. A., Peredkova E. V., Astafieva N. G. Clinical allergology and immunology / ed. L.A. Goryachkina, K.P. Kashkina. - M.: Miklos, 2009.

Education: Graduated from Rivne State Basic Medical College with a degree in Pharmacy. Graduated from Vinnitsa State Medical University named after. M.I. Pirogov and internship at his base.

Experience: From 2003 to 2013, she worked as a pharmacist and manager of a pharmacy kiosk. She was awarded diplomas and decorations for many years of conscientious work. Articles on medical topics were published in local publications (newspapers) and on various Internet portals.

Hay fever is a type of allergic disease, which is popularly called “hay fever.” The clinical picture appears most often during the flowering period of shrubs and other plants. The disease has no restrictions regarding age. However, in women living in the city, it manifests itself much more often. If treatment is not started in a timely manner, the allergy may develop into bronchial asthma.

It should be noted that this type of disease has a genetic predisposition. If both parents have such a disease, then the probability of a pathological process in the child is 50%.

Etiology

The main etiological factor in seasonal hay fever is plant pollen. Plant allergens include the following:

poplar;
birch;
sagebrush;
ambrosia;
quinoa.

In addition, the etiological factors of this type of allergy include the following:

weakened immune system;
habitat (allergy of this type occurs only in urban residents);
viral infections that have not been fully treated;
increased concentration of allergens near a newborn baby.

It should be noted that hay fever in children develops only if the parents are allergic or their immunity is too weakened.

Pathogenesis

Hay fever is a type of allergy that is strictly seasonal. People who are hypersensitive react to pollen with an allergic reaction. The mucous membrane of the mouth and nose contains special receptors and immune cells, macrophages. When the mucous membrane comes into contact with pollen, the work of macrophages is activated, which can lead to the development of an allergic reaction.

Due to the fact that this type of disease is only seasonal, the risk of developing allergies exists only in the spring and summer (early autumn) period.

Symptoms

It should be noted that the clinical picture of this type of allergy may indicate several diseases of another type at once. That is why you should not self-medicate or take anti-allergy medications.

In children, the first symptoms of hay fever appear at the age of 5–6 years. This is due to the fact that during this period the child is socially active and the likelihood of infection and weakening of the immune system is more likely.

The initial clinical picture of allergies is as follows:

burning inside the eye;
tearfulness;
sensation of a foreign body in the eye;
photophobia.

These symptoms indicate the initial stage, which can lead to incorrect diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

As the allergy develops, the above symptoms are supplemented by the following signs:

itching in the nose and nasopharynx;
frequent attacks of sneezing - in one “attack” a person can sneeze up to 20 times;
copious discharge of fluid from the nose;
feeling of pain and discomfort in the sinuses.

In more complex clinical cases of manifestation of this allergy, the clinical picture may be supplemented by the following symptoms of hay fever:

nausea;
vomit;
crackling in the ears when chewing food;
general weakness, malaise.

The degree of complexity of the clinical picture largely depends on the general state of health. For example, in one person an allergen can only cause conjunctivitis and tablets alone are enough. For another, pollen can cause a full manifestation of the clinical picture and will require several medications to relieve symptoms.

Symptoms of hay fever appear only if an allergen is present nearby.

Diagnostics

As a rule, diagnosing this type of allergy does not cause any particular difficulties. To determine the type of allergen, the patient is given a special drug that provokes an allergic reaction. Depending on the degree of manifestation of the allergy on the skin, a presumptive diagnosis is made.

Also, the diagnostic program requires the use of laboratory research methods. The standard diagnostic program includes the following:

test for the presence of allergen in the blood;
immunological diagnostics.

In addition to laboratory research methods, the allergist necessarily takes into account the patient’s personal and family history and medical history. Only on the basis of all the information received is a final diagnosis made and treatment prescribed.

Treatment

Treatment of hay fever should be carried out only on the basis of doctor's instructions. Unauthorized use of drugs (tablets) can lead to complications such as. You also need to understand that hay fever cannot be completely cured with any drug or tablet. Moreover, folk remedies are not appropriate.

If a person has hay fever, he is prescribed treatment for almost his entire life. It is almost impossible to reduce sensitivity to an allergen. Taking special pills and medications helps the patient reduce symptoms and lead a more or less acceptable lifestyle.

An allergist can prescribe drugs with the following spectrum of action:

antihistamine type;
vasoconstrictors.

Treatment of hay fever in children, in addition to anti-allergy drugs, involves drugs to strengthen the immune system.

In the event that the clinical picture has particularly complex symptoms (as a rule, this is the spring period), the patient is prescribed drugs and procedures for intensive care. Such clinical measures are aimed at reducing swelling of the eyes and nose.

While the patient is in remission, specific hyposensitization can be used. The essence of this allergy treatment is that the patient is given a drug with a small amount of allergen. As the body adapts, the dose of this drug increases. As a result of this, the body gets used to the allergen and reacts less severely.

Only an allergist knows how to treat hay fever correctly. Self-medication is unacceptable here.

Prevention

Preventive measures for this type of allergy distinguish between primary and secondary types. The primary group is relevant for those who are at risk, but do not suffer from hay fever. As for the secondary type of prevention, it is applicable to patients.

Primary methods of prevention include the following:

protecting a person from a potential allergen, especially for pregnant girls;
children should undergo regular examination by an allergist;
Contact with household chemicals should be minimized.

Secondary methods of prevention include the following:

wet daily cleaning;
minimum textiles and carpets in the interior;
minimum use of household chemicals;
You cannot have pets.

How a person eats is also important. A diet for hay fever involves excluding sunflower products, honey, spices and citrus fruits from the diet. Instead, the diet must include dried fruits and fermented milk products.

Forecast

Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely cure hay fever with any drug. However, if you eat right, monitor your health and follow the allergist’s recommendations, you can prolong remission as much as possible.

Is everything in the article correct from a medical point of view?

Answer only if you have proven medical knowledge

Diseases with similar symptoms:

Migraine is a fairly common neurological disease accompanied by severe paroxysmal headaches. Migraine, the symptoms of which are pain, concentrated on one side of the head mainly in the area of the eyes, temples and forehead, nausea, and in some cases vomiting, occurs without reference to brain tumors, stroke and serious head injuries, although and may indicate the relevance of the development of certain pathologies.

The term nasal hay fever refers to a complex of allergic reactions to pollen from various plants. This condition is seasonal. Clinical manifestations are characterized by the development of a runny nose, dermatitis, conjunctivitis and bronchitis. Without treatment, the disease progresses, and the patient runs the risk of developing bronchial asthma.

Otherwise, nasal hay fever is called hay fever. It appears in childhood and adolescence. The disease is cyclical in nature, worsens under the influence of the allergen during its appearance and goes into remission after stopping contact with it. Most often, hay fever develops in women.

Causes of pathology

The development of hay fever is based on an allergic reaction to plant pollen. While in the air, when inhaled, it reaches the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, as well as the pharynx. This irritant is perceived by the body as a foreign substance. The mucous membrane of the nose and mouth contains special receptors and macrophages. They are the ones who develop a reaction to pollen, as a result of which an inflammatory process begins to develop at the site of contact with the allergen.

Thus, the body tries to limit the penetration of a foreign agent. An allergic reaction can develop to one or several types of plants at the same time. If, along with hay fever, there is food intolerance, then a so-called cross allergy occurs.

The basis for the occurrence of an allergic reaction is sensitization, or increased sensitivity to the effects of certain environmental factors. Therefore, in case of hay fever, pollen from trees and grasses acts as such a factor. In this regard, the period of exacerbation of the disease occurs during their flowering season.

Exacerbation corresponds to the following periods:

April-May: pollen of alder, hazel, birch, oak;
June-July: pollen of cereal crops (fescue, timothy, bluegrass, wheatgrass, foxtail);
August September: ragweed, wormwood, quinoa.

There are a number of factors that predispose to the development of hay fever. Among them, the leading place is occupied by a weakened immune system. The habitat also matters. In this regard, such allergies are more common among urban residents. Viral infections that are not fully treated also increase the risk of developing hay fever. If conditions of increased concentration of allergens are created around a newborn child, then it is possible that he will develop hay fever in the future.

This can happen, for example, if the room where the child is most often is not regularly wet cleaned to remove dust, or the mother uses cosmetics with a strong odor that will irritate the child’s nasal mucosa. Eating foods with artificial colors and ingredients also often causes allergies in the baby.

The main cause of hay fever is intolerance to pollen.

Symptoms and diagnosis

The severity of hay fever symptoms depends on the weather. So, when it is dry and windy, the concentration of pollen in the air increases, and, accordingly, the symptoms intensify. In damp and rainy weather, the wind does not carry pollen, and there is only a small concentration of pollen in the air. Therefore, the manifestations of hay fever are less pronounced.

The development of hay fever goes through 2 stages. At the first stage, the initial signs of the disease appear. This is itching in the nose and throat, ears and trachea. There is swelling and redness of the eyelids. The person begins to sneeze for a long time and often, and liquid discharge comes from the nose. Allergic conjunctivitis develops, which causes photophobia, a feeling of sand in the eyes and profuse lacrimation.

Approximately 8 hours after exposure to the allergen, the second stage of the disease begins. It is characterized by an increased inflammatory response. The following manifestations are also possible:

purulent discharge from the eyes;
increased body temperature;
hives;
violation of nasal breathing;
Quincke's edema;
dermatitis;
diseases of the genitourinary system.

Quite often, hay fever is accompanied by pollen intoxication, which manifests itself as irritability and increased fatigue, depression and headaches, and poor appetite. If pollen has entered the gastrointestinal tract of a patient with hay fever, for example, along with honey, then nausea and vomiting and severe abdominal pain cannot be ruled out.

Among the clinical manifestations of hay fever, the leading ones are rhinitis and conjunctivitis. The patient feels constant nasal congestion. Heavy discharge and sneezing attacks are the main symptoms of the disease. People suffering from hay fever often have adenoids and polyps in the nose.

During the season of exacerbations, hay fever can manifest itself in the development of bronchial asthma. This symptomatology is caused by exposure to the fingers of certain plants during the flowering season. At the same time, hay fever does not manifest itself in the form of bronchial asthma in everyone. It is typical for those patients who have suffered from hay fever for several years in the form of tracheobronchitis and allergic rhinitis.

As a rule, normal bronchial patency is restored after the allergen plants fade. Accordingly, there is no exacerbation during the winter period.

Making a diagnosis is not difficult because it is based on specific symptoms. The determining factor is the seasonality of exacerbation and the presence of the same pathology in close family members. In addition, an examination by an otolaryngologist is carried out. Using rhinoscopy, you can identify narrowing of the nasal passages and swelling of the nasal mucosa, this is one of the signs of hay fever.

In this case, vasoconstrictors do not alleviate the patient’s condition. The detection of eosinophils in the prints of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose indicates the allergic nature of the disease. To identify the allergen, the patient undergoes an allergy test and a provocative test.

The main symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, watery eyes and excessive nasal discharge.

Treatment methods

If a person has developed hypersensitivity to pollen, it is almost impossible to reduce it. Therefore, the main treatment for hay fever is to avoid contact with the allergen. To do this, it is recommended to reduce the period of stay outside in windy and dry weather during the exacerbation season. It is undesirable to open windows to prevent allergens from entering the room.

It is recommended to use special air purifiers. They catch plant pollen. It is also necessary to exclude the possibility of developing cross-allergy, i.e., do not consume foods that may contain pollen. For mild allergic reactions, antihistamines are prescribed in the form of tablets or drops. These are Loratadine, Astemizole or Fexofenadine. If a skin reaction occurs, Levocabastine or Azelastine sprays are prescribed.

If the disease is of moderate severity, the patient is prescribed glucocorticosteroids. These medications come in the form of a nasal spray. The most popular of them are: Fluticasone, Mometasone, Triamcinolone, Beclomethasone.

If a patient with hay fever has developed bronchial asthma, then he needs to use corticosteroid drugs in the form of inhalation. But when hay fever is complicated by fungal viral or bacterial infections, glucocorticosteroids are used with caution after consultation with your doctor.

Severe hay fever occurs. In this case, combined treatment with simultaneous administration of general antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids is necessary. To eliminate concomitant symptoms, for example, severe nasal congestion, vasoconstrictors are prescribed. Their use should not last more than 1 week.

You can use Oxymetazoline, Naphazoline or Xylometazoline. The patient should be aware that long-term use of vasoconstrictors is fraught with the development of drug-induced rhinitis. If a patient with hay fever experiences narrowing of the nasal passages, surgical intervention is necessary for treatment. It consists of partial removal of the nasal turbinates.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is considered an effective remedy in the fight against hay fever. It consists of introducing a small dose of an allergen into the patient’s body. This method helps reduce sensitivity to the allergen. This treatment is combined with medication. It is advisable to carry it out during the period of remission.

Symptomatic therapy

Almost always hay fever is accompanied by eye damage. This manifests itself in lacrimation and photophobia, redness and swelling of the eyelids. A person has the feeling that there is a foreign body in the eyes. Often an infection occurs and purulent discharge comes out of the eye. In this case, additional drug treatment is required.

In this case it is prescribed:

Naphthyzin;
Dexamethasone;
Histimet;
Garazon.

Naphthyzin is a vasoconstrictor, it eliminates swelling of the conjunctiva and reduces eye irritation. Histimet blocks the production of histamine and reduces the manifestation of an allergic reaction in the eyes. Dexamethasone belongs to the group of topical glucocorticosteroid drugs.

It has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antiallergic effects. But its use is advisable for severe hay fever, when other drugs have not had the desired therapeutic effect. Garazon is also a glucocorticosteroid, but contains an antibiotic component. It is prescribed for purulent discharge from the eyes.

Difficulty in nasal breathing caused by swelling of the mucous membrane is eliminated with the help of medications such as Galazolin, Nazivin or Naphthyzin. In case of severe hay fever, hormonal agents (Fluticasone, Budesonide, Flunisolide, Mometasone) are instilled into the nose.

The treatment regimen depends on the severity of the disease

Complications and prevention

Without treatment or insufficient treatment, complications may develop. The most common of them are bacterial conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis. The first means inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, and the second means inflammation of the cornea joins this process. The most severe complication of hay fever is anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

To prevent exacerbation of hay fever, it is recommended to observe the following measures:

avoiding contact with the allergen;
timely use of medications during the season of hay fever development;
preparing the body by reducing sensitization.

Those suffering from hay fever must follow a special diet, which involves excluding from the diet various foods, fruits and vegetables, to the pollen of which they become allergic. Such patients are advised to switch to foods containing low levels of allergens. These are, for example, fermented milk products, stewed or boiled meat, dried fruits.

Seasonal allergies to pollen from various plants are a common ailment in adults and children. The medical name of the disease is hay fever.