Manifestations of seasonal allergies and methods of their treatment. Seasonal allergies: symptoms, treatment, medications How seasonal allergies manifest in children

Seasonal allergies are a protective reaction of the immune system to certain environmental irritants that occurs during the warm season. This disease has another well-known name - hay fever, which comes from the Latin word with the root pollen, and this is not accidental, since the cause of intolerance to seasonal allergies is various parts of plants and their components released during their growth or flowering. ICD 10 code J30.2.

Seasonal allergies are most often expressed in the form of rhinitis and conjunctivitis; in some patients, skin manifestations of the disease are recorded; in severe cases, bronchial asthma is formed.

The disease was first described by the English physician John Bostock in 1819. It received an official name - seasonal fever. At first it was assumed that the symptoms characteristic of a cold were caused by hay, but as it turned out later, plant pollen caused sneezing and nasal congestion. But this was proven only 54 years later in 1873, also by a doctor from Great Britain, David Blackley.

In Russia, people first started talking about seasonal allergies in 1889. This happened in St. Petersburg at a meeting of the society of Russian doctors. Dr. Silich L. gave a report on this topic. At the same time, he was the first to draw attention to the relationship between allergies and the human nervous system.

In the late 50s and early 60s, wheat and other grain crops from the USA began to be imported en masse to the USSR. Together with them, ambrosia was first brought to the territory of Russia, and then to other republics.

Pollen from this particular plant caused massive allergy attacks in the Krasnodar region in 1960.

Nowadays, there are more and more people suffering from seasonal hay fever every year. According to official data, 20% of the world's population suffers from this disease. But according to unofficial data, there are much more of them.

And despite the fact that modern medicine has achieved certain successes in the fight against eliminating the symptoms of seasonal allergies, this pathology has not yet been completely overcome.

Causes of hay fever

The main reason for the development of an atypical reaction in the body is pollen components; about 50 subspecies of trees, grasses, shrubs and flowers have been identified, widespread everywhere and capable of causing hay fever.

Flowering of plants begins in mid-spring and ends at the end of August. A list of them is presented later in the article.

Therefore, the likelihood of seasonal allergies occurring during this period is very high. In some patients suffering from hay fever, the disease also develops on rare plants, including indoor plants, which can bloom several times a year.

Due to the high prevalence and severity of seasonal allergies, numerous studies have been carried out; during their conduct, it was possible to find out that the pathology most often develops in people with genetic heredity. In these cases, hay fever can occur in the first years of the baby’s life.

It also happens that the disease first begins to appear in adulthood, and a specific reaction of the immune system can be caused by the following provoking factors:

• Changes in the body's defense reactions under the influence of other allergic diseases. Hay fever can occur in people who have suffered for a number of years from intolerance to a certain type of food, medicine, cosmetics, or household chemicals.
• Deterioration of the environmental situation.
• Chronic diseases of the broncho-pulmonary system.
• Production factors.
• Significant weakening of the immune system after suffering infectious and inflammatory diseases, due to poor nutrition, disorders in the nervous system.

When does it most often appear?

Symptoms of seasonal allergies are most pronounced in spring and autumn, and are less severe in mid-summer. In the spring, the disease develops during the flowering of birch, maple, hazel, sycamore, and alder trees.

In summer, allergies intensify with intolerance to cereals, wildflowers and garden flowers. At the end of summer and beginning of autumn, wormwood and quinoa begin to bloom profusely and produce seeds.

At the same time, you need to understand that the pollen of some plants, for example, ragweed, can be carried very far in a strong wind, so if it does not grow in your region, this does not mean that you will not sneeze.

Flowering plants per year by month:

1. Spring – maple, birch, willow, hazel, poplar (May), oak, acacia, alder, hazel, wildflowers (May);
2. Summer - rye, sorrel, fescue, pine needles, other cereals.
3. August, early autumn – ragweed, quinoa, wormwood.

Influence of weather conditions

Weather conditions have a significant impact on the well-being of patients with hay fever. In rainy weather, pollen remains on the ground and overall health improves. On windy and hot days, pollen components are carried through the air, easily enter rooms and provoke the occurrence of rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

The pollen of some plants has minimal weight and can be carried by the wind for tens of kilometers, which explains the development of hay fever in response to a certain irritant, even if it does not grow in the patient’s area of ​​residence.

Seasonal allergies develop not only to pollen, but also to fungal spores, which are also quite easily carried by the wind. Fungi also include mold that forms in damp areas.

Mold hay fever can occur year-round, since in residential buildings it multiplies and grows regardless of the season.

Symptoms of hay fever

Seasonal allergies manifest themselves in different forms - it can be a slight deterioration in health or a rapidly developing picture of the disease with all the ensuing symptoms.

It is always necessary to treat any hay fever, since mild forms of the disease quickly turn into severe ones; only timely therapy with specially selected groups of drugs can prevent this process.

Seasonal allergies manifest themselves in the form of damage to the respiratory organs, eyes and skin:

• occurs when pollen enters the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Sneezing, itching in the nasal passages, congestion, and the release of copious mucous secretions appear. Without the use of antihistamines, this condition can occur throughout the entire warm season, with periods of subsidence and exacerbation of the process.
• Conjunctivitis is manifested by redness and lacrimation, itching, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eyes.
• Rashes on the skin can be either small pinpoints or large blisters. The rash itches, which leads to irritation.

The most severe manifestations of hay fever include bronchial asthma, a disease manifested by attacks of shortness of breath. The general well-being of patients also suffers - insomnia, irritation, and decreased performance.

Sometimes seasonal allergies, along with characteristic symptoms, can manifest as an increase in temperature, which makes diagnosing the disease difficult.

Fever usually subsides once the acute symptoms of the disease subside.

Temperature for seasonal allergies

Let's take a closer look at temperature for seasonal allergies. It can either be completely absent or increase.

A slight increase in temperature during hay fever to 37.5 degrees indicates that the immune system is trying to fight the allergen. As a rule, this temperature does not change.

Here it is important not to panic, but to figure out whether the temperature is provoked by ARVI or another disease. If not, then it will be enough to take an antihistamine and in 1-2 hours everything will return to normal.

Diagnosis of hay fever

It is not difficult for an experienced allergist to diagnose seasonal allergies. The patient is examined and interviewed, other ailments are excluded. To confirm the disease and to accurately determine the allergen, special skin tests are performed.

The doctor can suggest testing only in those months when there is no influence of the suspected allergen, that is, in late autumn or winter.

For a more accurate diagnosis and identification of the causes of allergies, additional medications may be prescribed.

Treatment of seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies should be treated both during the period of exacerbation and in other seasons to prevent relapse. During an exacerbation, antihistamines are used in the form of tablets, drops, sprays, ointments.

Groups and lists of drugs

To treat seasonal allergies, medications from one of three groups may be prescribed:

1. Antihistamines are divided into drugs of 1, 2, 3 (4) generations. Available in the form of tablets, drops, sprays, syrups. They block the release of histamine in the body - a reaction to an allergen irritant, which is manifested by the symptoms described above.
2. Corticosteroids are hormonal agents. Available in the form of ointments, sprays, drops. They are very effective, but are prescribed in severe cases when conventional medications are unable to suppress the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Children, pregnant and lactating mothers are prescribed very rarely in particularly severe cases (, Quincke's edema) as they have many side effects.
3. Stabilizers - histamine, which causes unpleasant symptoms, is produced as a result of the destruction of cell membranes. Drugs from this group strengthen cell membranes and prevent the release of histamine.

List of effective antihistamines that quickly relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies:

1. Suprastin;
2. Tavegil;
3. Diazolin;
4. Loratadine;
5. Zodak;
6. Fenistil;
7. Pipolfen;
8. Diphenhydramine;
9. Xymelin (spray);
10. Fenistil;
11. Blogger 3;
12. Ezlor;
13. Cetrin;
14. Astemizole (Gismanal);
15. Terfenadine;
16. Aqua Maris Sense (for rinsing).

Despite their good effectiveness, some of them cause drowsiness (especially the first five points), so they are best taken before bed.

If the symptoms of seasonal allergies manifest themselves as bronchial asthma, then they can be relieved with the help of Salbutamol, Farmoterol, Budesonite.

List of cell membrane stabilizers, available in the form of drops and tablets:

1. Ifiral;
2. Intal;
3. Cromolyn;
4. Ketotifen;
5. Tailed.

New generation antihistamines

Drops and sprays

Since the symptoms of seasonal allergies are often manifested by rhinorrhea, swelling of the nasal mucosa, and redness of the eyes, doctors attach special importance to drops and sprays in its treatment.

We have prepared two materials on this topic in detail:

1. List of nasal drops for allergies, instructions for use.
2. List of sprays.
3. List of eye drops for allergies. For example, Azelastine has good effectiveness.

1. Vasoconstrictors - Navtizin, Noxprey, Nazivin, Nazospray, Galazolin, Tizin Xylo, Otrivin and others.
2. Antihistamines - Allergodil, Levocabastine, Fenistil, Kromhexal, Levocabastine, Sanorin (Analergin), Vibrocil.
3. Immunomodulatory – IRS 19, Derinat.

It is important to understand that it is not recommended to take vasoconstrictor nasal drops for more than 5-7 days, as they become addictive and burn out the nasal mucosa, which is then difficult to restore.

List of eye drops for seasonal allergies:

1. Vasoconstrictors - Okumetil, Visin, Octilia, Polinadim, Visomitin, Tsipromed, Tobrex, Alomid.
2. Antihistamines - Azelastine, Lecrolin, Opatanol, Montevisin, Allergodil, Ketotifen, Cromohexal, Dexamethasone, Kromofarm.

Hormonal drugs

If there is no expected effect from the therapy, drugs with glucocorticosteroids are prescribed - hormones effectively relieve swelling, inflammation and itching.

List of hormonal drops prescribed for seasonal allergies:

1. Prevalin;
2. Forinex;
3. Flix;
4. Baconase;
5. Ethacid;
6. Nasonex;
7. Metaspray;
8. Nazophan;
9. Glenspray S.

The peculiarity of these hormonal sprays is that they act only on the nasal area, and not on the entire body. The therapeutic effect occurs on the 3-4th day of administration.

They can be used for a long time, almost the entire flowering period of the allergen plant. But in any case, such drugs should be prescribed by a doctor. And before you drip them, you need to carefully study the instructions for use. This is especially true for age restrictions, side effects and contraindications.

Ointments and creams

For seasonal allergies, ointments and creams are used if the symptoms of the pathology manifest themselves in the form of itchy skin and urticaria. They are simple and hormonal.

TOP most effective means

Many people are looking for the most effective remedies that will help them quickly get rid of seasonal allergies. This is the wrong approach. All modern drugs listed above and found in the links, especially the new generation, do their job well. But the point is:

1. First, they may not suit everyone. Therefore, you need to try taking one drug, if it does not help, change to another, and it is important to look at the active substance.
2. Secondly, there is an addiction to a certain drug, and specifically to its active substance. Those. if you were saved for one year, the active ingredient is Loratadine. Then next year it may not help and you will have to switch to (active ingredient Levocetirizine) or another drug.

Of course, hormonal drugs are considered the most effective, especially injections, drops in the nose and eyes, but they must be taken as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor.

Treatment experience of one of our readers

One of our readers shared his experience of treating seasonal allergies. We will skip preventive measures, we will talk about this below, and will dwell in detail on the course of treatment.

In the first few years, salvation from seasonal hay fever was found in. But since this hormonal drug is addictive, at one point the drug only lasted for a week instead of two months. Just during the period of exacerbation it became a disaster. Since regular antihistamines did not help, I had to go to the doctor again.

The manifestation of symptoms did not extend to the eyes and skin, so the following treatment was prescribed:

1. Avamis spray (an analogue is possible, see above) – in the morning, spray a spray into each nostril.
2. In the evening, Cetrin tablet.

After two days the symptoms began to subside and disappeared on the fifth day. The treatment lasted a month and a half until the ragweed stopped blooming.

If Cetrin is not suitable, the treatment can be adjusted and a medicine with a different active ingredient can be selected.

Preventive treatment prescribed a month before a possible exacerbation of the disease helps reduce the severity of seasonal allergies in the warm season. All this time, enterosorbents are taken, for example, Polysorb, in order to remove toxins that cause hay fever from the body as much as possible.

Two to four weeks before the allergen plant begins to bloom, you need to start dropping Avamis spray (Flix, Forinex) into your nose.

Specific immunotherapy

Features of the treatment of seasonal allergies in children

When treating seasonal hay fever in children, it is important to choose the right antihistamine, which is taken based on the age of the baby.

For example, a doctor may prescribe the following nasal drops for children under one year of age:

1. Vibrocil;
2. Allergomax;
3. Marimer (for washing);
4. Grippostad Rhino (vasoconstrictors);
5. For oral administration – Allergonix, Pheniden, Fenistil, Zyrtec.

From one year and older:

1. Desal;
2. Rolinosis;
3. Parlazin;
4. Zodak.

Often prescribed to children before and after one year of age with seasonal allergies. They have a pleasant taste, but at the same time the same therapeutic effect as drops and tablets.

From two years:

1. Momat Reno;
2. Nosephrine;
3. With the hormones Nasonex and Desrinit.

From 6 to 12 years of age, as a rule, treatment is no longer different from that of an adult, it is only important to select the correct dosage of drugs. Of course, hormonal drugs fall under the exception.

Antihistamines in the form of tablets should be selected for a child by a doctor based on the presence of concomitant diseases.

Features of treatment during pregnancy

Treatment of seasonal allergies during pregnancy must be supervised by a doctor. He must select a treatment regimen with antihistamines. It is important to exclude, and if this does not work, then minimize the use of hormonal agents.

You need to drink more water, up to 2 liters per day, rinse your nose more often with saline solutions, which you can make yourself (1 teaspoon of kitchen or sea salt per 200 ml of warm water) or purchase at the pharmacy, for example, the Dolphin complex, Aqua Maris, Linaqua , Marimer et al.

More time needs to be devoted to preventive measures.

Folk remedies for the treatment of seasonal allergies

The use of folk remedies in the treatment of seasonal allergies is an additional method that does not exclude the use of antihistamines.

It is worth using natural remedies in advance, not during the period of exacerbation of the disease, in order to strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body of toxins, and ensure proper functioning of the digestive system.

An infusion of dried blackcurrant shoots and leaves will help strengthen the immune system.

2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are poured with 300 ml of boiling water and infused for 1 hour. Then you need to pass everything through cheesecloth and add another 200 ml. warm water. Take a tablespoon every 2 hours for 7 days.

Celery and nettle also help strengthen the immune system. You can make juice from both plants with a 1:1 ratio. To do this, the raw materials need to be ground in a meat grinder and then squeezed manually through cheesecloth.

Celery can be taken as a vitamin supplement before meals. Consume ½ teaspoon of the plant three times a day.

Horsetail also helps improve health. 2 tbsp. spoons of dry raw materials are poured with 200 ml of boiling water. After 30 minutes, the infusion is filtered. Take 20 ml every hour for 14 days. Every 2 days you need to take a break.

Nettle has similar properties. A sprig of the plant is infused in 200 ml. boiling water for an hour. Do not add sugar. You need to drink every day for 2 weeks.

Dry or fresh figs help normalize the digestive system. The product should be consumed twice a day before breakfast and dinner on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals. The norm is 1, 2 fruits.

There are many other traditional medicine recipes that help strengthen the body; there is no point in listing them all here. However, it is worth mentioning that honey should be used with caution to treat seasonal allergies, since this product is a strong allergen and can, on the contrary, provoke serious attacks of the disease.

Allergy to pollen of trees and other plants (hay fever) is a disease that occurs in the midst of spring and often does not subside until autumn. Allergies to flowers most often manifest as a runny nose and are often combined with allergies to certain foods. How to understand that a child has hay fever? Is it possible to alleviate his condition?

Hay fever is one of the most common allergic diseases in children, which can appear at almost any age. Hay fever is a consequence of the body's increased sensitivity to the effects of certain allergens. When they get on the mucous membranes of the body, inflammation occurs.

Signs of a pollen allergy

If every spring at the same time a child exhibits symptoms of ARVI: nasal congestion, runny nose, redness and itching of the eyes, general malaise, then this may be an allergy. Tree pollen allergies are often disguised as cross-food allergies. There are a number of foods that allergy sufferers react to in the same way as pollen. These are apples, pears, stone fruits (cherries, plums, peaches, etc.). Often, an allergy begins with a reaction to these fruits - discomfort when swallowing, itching of the palate. Pay close attention to your child's complaints.

In children, seasonal allergies are also often combined with household allergies - to house dust mites. If a child has a frequent runny nose without fever, then an allergic disease can also be suspected. With a high concentration of dust, allergies can occur with an increase in temperature to 37.1 - 37.2 °C. If this is a reaction to pollen, then this temperature will remain throughout the entire flowering period.

Experts consider skin allergy tests to be the most reliable method for identifying sensitivity to specific allergens. They are made in the fall, when everything has already faded, starting approximately in October. During flowering, skin tests are not performed, but during this period you can donate blood for specific immunoglobulins. If we compare these two methods, allergy tests are more informative. Ideally, you need to give your child both tests and compare the results.

How to help your child during the flowering period

1. The best option is to take the child to a different climate zone for the flowering period. For example, at sea. Remember that at this time you are weakened. Even if you are traveling to a visa-free country, do not forget to purchase health insurance. It will protect you from possible expenses for doctors.
2. If you still remain in the city, then you should not walk with your child in dry, windless weather, and it is also better not to travel outside the city. At home, keep the windows closed, ventilate only in the evening or after rain, when the concentration of pollen in the air is reduced. Do wet cleaning at least once a day. After a walk, be sure to take off your child’s clothes; it is advisable to wash them immediately. Dry washed items only indoors. Also, immediately after a walk, be sure to wash your child’s head, rinse his nose and throat. An air purifier helps (air conditioning is not recommended).
3. If you are driving with a child in the car, make sure that all windows are tightly closed.
4. Monitor your diet by eliminating “cross” foods both during the flowering period and a few weeks before and after it. Even if the child usually tolerates apples, pears, stone fruits, nuts (especially hazelnuts), fresh carrots (including in juices), new potatoes, celery, olives, kiwi, during the spring exacerbation of allergies, it is recommended to exclude these products from the diet.
5. There are websites that publish reports on pollen concentration measurements in the air. They update the data every two days. Review this information periodically. On unfavorable days, it is better not to take children for a walk.

The most unpleasant and dangerous companion to allergies is the risk of bronchial asthma in a child. According to statistics, if a person suffers for 5-6 years and is not treated in any way (taking antihistamines is not considered treatment), then the likelihood that he will develop bronchial asthma is very high - up to 80%.

If you do not carry out high-quality treatment of allergies, then, in addition to the risk of bronchial asthma, there is a danger of expanding the spectrum of allergens (household allergens, allergies to field grasses and weeds).

Discussion

The most correct rule is to prevent allergens from entering the child’s body. I personally do the following for this: firstly, I use Prevalin Kids. This spray very well protects the mucous membrane from the penetration of pollen into the body. Secondly, I still try not to walk with the child where there are a lot of flowers (fields and dachas) and thirdly, after the walk, all the clothes, even the underpants, go to the wash, and the child takes a shower and washes his head and puts on clean clothes. This simple approach allows me to protect my child from seasonal allergies, to which he is susceptible from birth.

And I would also like, as a mother, to advise from my experience not to neglect barrier agents. If you spray Prevalin Kids on your child's nose during the flowering period, it will greatly make the child's life easier, because... The product protects the body well from allergens.

Yes, I liked the article and find it useful. Allergies are actually not just a mild and passing ailment, as many believe, but still a big threat to our health.

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Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. Cross allergy to flowers and products. Hay fever: when to do allergy tests. Vaccination calendar. News feed.

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. In children, seasonal allergies are also often combined with household allergies - to house dust mites. If a child has a frequent runny nose without fever...

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. In children, seasonal allergies are also often combined with household allergies - to house dust mites. If a child has a frequent runny nose without fever...

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. Vaccination calendar. News feed. The most correct rule is to prevent allergens from entering the child’s body.

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. Hay fever: when to do allergy tests. There are a number of foods that allergy sufferers react to in the same way as pollen.

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. Cross allergy to flowers and products. Hay fever: when to do allergy tests.

Spring allergies in a child: rules of behavior for hay fever. Vaccination calendar. News feed. The most correct rule is to prevent allergens from entering the child’s body.

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:

1. Autumn is when the asteraceae bloom: wormwood, ragweed, quinoa.
2. Spring, when maples, plane trees, and hazel trees bloom.
3. 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:

1. Pathology from the organs of vision: redness, swelling, itching, lacrimation, photophobia.
2. General pathologies: irritability and general fatigue, weight loss.
3. Multiple organ disorders: Quincke's edema, increased blood pressure, rapid pulse, nausea, constipation, colitis.
4. Symptoms of irritation of the upper respiratory tract: sneezing, difficulty breathing, runny nose, swelling of the mucous membranes.
5. 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:

1. Have pets recently appeared in your apartment?
2. Have you changed cosmetics or perfumes?
3. Are there carpets in the apartment?
4. 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:

1. 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”.
2. Sorbents. They are indispensable when treating seasonal allergies. Sorbents bind and remove toxic products from the body: “Enetrosgel”, “Multisorb”, “Polifepam”.
3. Glucocorticosteroids. Indispensable for severe conditions. They are available in the form of ointments: “Flucinar”, “Sinaflan”, “Lorinden”.
4. Sedatives. Indispensable if neurosis or restless sleep occurs due to allergies: tinctures based on motherwort and valerian.
5. 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.

Seasonality of allergies is a concept that is relevant in relation to two types of allergic reactions: to insect venom and plant pollen (). And if the danger of an allergy to insects persists for a long period (from mid-spring to mid-autumn), then manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions to plants can last for different periods of time - from a week to 4 months.

Seasonal allergies Allergies occur as a result of increased sensitivity of the immune system, which protects the body from the penetration of bacteria and viruses. In some cases, the immune system raises a “false alarm”, reacting to the penetration of certain substances (allergens) into the body that do not pose any harm to health, as if they were an enemy, and takes appropriate protective measures. Such an inadequate reaction is called an “allergy”.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Hay fever can appear at any age, but more often between 8 and 20 years of age (less often after 40 years of age).

It can only manifest itself as itching in the eyes, nose and throat, as well as signs of rhinitis: nasal congestion, sometimes. Possible loss of smell, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses () and the addition of bronchial asthma (especially in humid summers). Atopic is caused by hyperreactivity of the bronchi when inhaling an allergen, which leads to bronchospasm, accumulation of mucus and swelling of the mucous membrane, which provokes suffocation and paroxysmal cough.

Plant pollen can cause allergic skin reactions, for example, acute. It usually lasts from several hours to several days. Unlike acute urticaria, chronic urticaria, which lasts for weeks or months, is very rarely an allergic reaction. It is most often associated with food allergens and additives, as well as medications.

Urticaria can take many forms, but it is always characterized by the presence of blisters that can merge with each other. The rash can appear on any part of the body and is accompanied by severe itching.

Quincke's edema is one of the types of allergic skin reactions. Quincke's edema Another manifestation of allergic skin reactions is angioedema or Quincke's edema. It can affect the face, lips, eyelids, mucous membranes and other parts of the body. Itching is often absent, and a painful burning sensation is felt. Quincke's edema becomes life-threatening if it spreads to the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx: the swollen tongue and back of the throat block the airways and can lead to suffocation.

Plants whose pollen often causes allergies

Most often develops with sensitization to pollen of cereals (timothy, foxtail, oats, rye, etc.), trees (birch, maple, alder, hazel, beech, elm, willow, poplar, ash) and weeds (ragweed, dandelion, plantain , sorrel, goldenrod, quinoa, wormwood, etc.).

Diagnosis of seasonal allergies

The main diagnostic methods are examination and questioning of the patient. The survey of the patient or his parents is very detailed, including an analysis of complaints and possible provoking factors, medical history, information about illnesses of relatives, lifestyle and work, and treatment provided.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe various additional research methods depending on the specific case.

Determination of immunoglobulin E concentration in blood

To diagnose allergies, determining the concentration of IgE (immunoglobulin E) in the blood is of great importance. An increase in its content indicates that the body produces specific antibodies against allergens. Determination of IgE is carried out in blood serum taken from the patient from a vein. Over 200 allergens are used for the test, both general and allergen-specific IgE are determined, thus indirectly determining the allergen that caused the formation of group E immunoglobulins and is responsible for the allergy.

Provocative tests

If an allergic reaction develops in response to the introduction of a suspected allergen, then the allergen can be considered causally significant (specific).

Skin tests

By introducing small amounts of purified allergens in known concentrations into the skin (forearm or back), the results of an allergic reaction can be assessed after 20 minutes. The test is considered positive if the formation of a papule, erythema (redness) or rash is noted.

Basic principles of seasonal allergy treatment

When a dangerous period begins, the first and most logical precaution is to limit your contact with the allergen. Keep windows in your home closed. Use conditioners whenever possible. While in the car, roll up the windows. When returning from the street, take a shower and rinse your hair. Do not dry clothes outside. When working in the garden, you can wear a protective bandage over your nose and mouth.

Minimize your time spent outdoors, especially outside the city. If you are allergic to fungal spores, it is not recommended to stay in places where there is rotted hay, as well as in forests and parks with fallen wet leaves. If possible, spend this time on vacation in a different climate zone, where flowering has already ended or has not yet begun, or where there is less pollen, for example, on the sea coast.

If possible, go outside at the most favorable time. The least amount of pollen in the air occurs on rainy, damp days, and fungal spores, on the contrary, occur in dry and sunny weather. On windy days, the amount of pollen and fungal spores in the air is much greater, and they are transported over long distances. Therefore, quiet, windless days are more suitable for being outdoors. The safest time of day is morning, while pollen is still damp. Most fungal spores in the air occur in the evening.

Contact an allergist. He will conduct testing, determine what is causing your allergic reaction, and prescribe treatment. Antihistamines are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of allergic diseases. They block the action of histamine, a substance responsible for allergic reactions. Some antihistamines - suprastin, diphenhydramine, tavegil - can often cause drowsiness, this should be taken into account by people driving a car. New generation drugs (loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, ebastine, kestin) do not have a sedative effect. You can significantly reduce the effect or even completely get rid of allergies using allergen-specific immune therapy. It lies in the fact that before a dangerous period, certain doses of causative allergens are injected under the skin - this promotes hyposensitization, that is, a decrease in sensitivity to a given allergen.

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.

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?

1. Allergies are almost never accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
2. Symptoms of spring allergies appear annually at approximately the same time;
3. 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;
4. The well-being of a child with allergies worsens on a dry and warm day, improves in rainy weather;
5. Nasal discharge is thick and thin, as opposed to the thick, cloudy discharge associated with a viral or bacterial infection;
6. In case of allergies, the cough is not accompanied by sputum production;
7. The acute respiratory infection lasts no more than a week. Symptoms of hay fever may appear over several spring and summer months;
8. 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;

1. Antihistamines;
2. Local hormonal agents (ointments and creams);
3. 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:

1. Carry out wet cleaning in the house as often as possible;
2. Maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels in the house;
3. Wipe your shoes with a damp cloth and wash your clothes every time you go outside;
4. Wear a medical mask while walking;
5. Go outside in calm weather;
6. Walking after the rain;
7. Ventilate the room only in the evening;
8. Use air filters;
9. Comb and wash pets;
10. Do not wear synthetic clothing;
11. Minimize the use of cosmetics and household chemicals;
12. As prescribed by a doctor, take antihistamines or membrane-stabilizing drugs for preventive purposes;
13. Prevent the development of respiratory diseases, receive timely treatment, preventing diseases from becoming chronic;
14. 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.

1. What is hay fever?
2. Signs of spring allergies
3. 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:

1. genetics;
2. frequency of interaction with a particular substance;
3. 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:

1. drugs stabilizing mast cell membranes (Cromoglin, Ifiral, Lecrolin, etc.) for local action in the form of drops;
2. antihistamines for oral administration (Tavegil, Eslotin, Claramax, etc.);
3. treatment of an allergic reaction from the nose.
4. contact with the allergen is eliminated;
5. 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

1. chamomile (25 g);
2. St. John's wort (25 g);
3. 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:

1. meat dishes: lean beef or poultry. Boiled or baked;
2. egg dishes: no more than 1 egg per day;
3. low-fat fermented milk products;
4. 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.