Allergies to flowers - there is a solution to the problem!

Spring and summer are not only everyone's favorite seasons, when everything is filled with life, bubbling, fragrant and developing. These are the seasons when almost all plants bloom. How nice it is to go out into the field and pick fragrant, bright flowers!.. But some people do not have access to such benefits, because due to the physiological characteristics of the body, people often develop an allergy to flowering plants. In this case, even a regular walk along the city streets can turn into torture! Scientifically, an allergy to flowers is called pollinosis. This is a chronic disease that causes irritation of the mucous membrane due to flower pollen. An allergy to flowers affects the functioning of many organs and systems - the respiratory, digestive, nervous systems, as well as the mucous membrane, skin and some internal organs.

In medical practice, it has been recorded that 700 species of flowers and 11,000 species of flowering plants can cause allergies. However, their flowering periods do not coincide, and in each climate zone, the period of exacerbation of flower allergies is different. Thus, in many European and North American countries, “floristic maps” are specially compiled that display the period and territory of flowering of certain plant species that cause allergies.

The most favorable time for the production and spread of pollen is the morning, when the air is sufficiently humid and not yet hot. Therefore, in the morning there is the highest concentration of pollen in the air for the day. During a drought or, conversely, during the rainy season, the concentration of pollen in the air decreases significantly.

An allergy to flowers in a patient manifests itself when its particles get on the mucous membrane of the nose. When inhaled, dust particles get into the upper respiratory tract and gradually move to the lower ones. In addition to a pronounced reaction of the respiratory tract to the allergen, a reaction of the mucous membrane of the eyes is also observed.

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Causes of flower allergies

So what are the causes of flower allergies? What and how exactly causes flower allergies in humans? Doctors claim that the main causes of flower allergies are pollen particles that penetrate deep into the body, settle on the nasal mucosa and irritate it. In order for an allergy to flowers to begin in the body, the pollen elements of this flower must have a “permeability factor” that helps the pollen get onto the mucosa, pass through its epithelial layer and disrupt the protective functions of the upper respiratory tract. Usually, people who have allergic reactions to flowers in older relatives are predisposed to flower allergies.

An allergy to flowers in a person predisposed to this reaction acts by the reagin mechanism. When pollen enters the human body, immunoglobulins G and E react. The amount of biologically active substances such as histamine, serotonin, bradykinin and others increases in the blood.

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What flowers cause allergies?

Most plant species produce very small amounts of pollen, which is not capable of causing an allergic reaction. However, among flowering forage and meadow grasses, cereals, and ornamental houseplants, there are a number of names that are the undisputed leaders in allergic reactions to them. It is worth noting that cereal plants can contribute to the appearance of a cross-allergic reaction to the pollen of other plants.

Of the cereal plants, the most active allergens are: wheat, rye, alfalfa, rice, sugar cane and others.

Cross reactions can be caused by sunflowers, wormwood, coltsfoot, dandelion, and flowering weeds.

The most dangerous flowers that cause allergies are those that belong to the ragweed subspecies - daisies, sunflowers, etc. Some medicinal plants are also unsafe for allergy sufferers, for example, the common chamomile, the leaves and flowers of which can cause an attack of allergy. Flowers of the amaranth weed species are extremely unsafe for health. Although their flowers are small, they release a lot of pollen, which can undermine your health.

In addition to the named plants and flowers that cause allergies, it is also worth mentioning wormwood, hops, and nettle. There are also many known cases of allergies to flowers and other plants that appeared after touching cherry leaves or petioles, raspberries, as well as amaranth and garden jasmine.

Of the flowering trees, pollen most often causes allergies: from coniferous trees - spruce, fir, pine, cypress; also from flowering fruit and berry trees - apple, cherry, pear; no less strong allergens are alder, hazel, mimosa, birch, poplar, acacia, sycamore and others. If the trees are in a restless, stressful state, that is, they grow near a busy highway, for example, but pollination occurs more intensively, therefore the concentration of pollen in the air from them increases several times.

Flower allergies occur from plants whose pollen is carried by the wind – the small, inconspicuous flowers of these plants cannot attract insects, so pollination occurs through the air. Plants whose flowers are large and bright are pollinated by insects and do not cause an allergic reaction.

Indoor flowers that cause allergies

Growing beautiful decorative flowers at home, we rarely think about the fact that they can cause an allergic reaction, terrible attacks of runny nose, watery eyes and incessant sneezing. Most often, an allergy to flowers that grow on the windowsill appears due to the spread of essential oils in the air, released by the flowers themselves. The thing is that these essential oils are so light and volatile that they spread extremely quickly in a closed room. When in contact with the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs, essential oils quickly reach their target, causing terrible swelling of the mucous membrane and other allergic horrors.

No less mobile and easily penetrating is the pollen of plants that contain biologically active substances such as alkaloids (nitrogen-containing organic compounds), saponins (nitrogen-free glycosides of plant origin) and others.

Often, the manifestation of allergies caused by houseplants depends solely on individual tolerance or intolerance to a particular type of secretions released by the plant.

So, what indoor flowers that cause allergies do we grow at home:

• Pelargonium (Geranium), which belongs to the Geraniaceae family, contains essential oil in its leaves. They release a special aroma that is perceived individually by each person - either causing an allergic reaction or delighting the sense of smell;
• ferns in all their many species can be extremely allergenic, since during the reproduction period (and they reproduce by spores) the plant's reproductive organs fly all over the room;
• Crinum and Eucharis (which belong to the Amaryllis family) emit a strong aroma during their flowering period, which is explained by the amount of essential oils they contain. When releasing the aroma, essential oils are also released, which can cause allergies;
• the Kutrov family, namely oleander, catharanthus and alamanda, when the period of reproduction and flowering approaches, release a considerable amount of fragrant substances into the environment. Such a release can significantly affect health, causing mild asphyxia, headaches and tachycardia;
• The Araceae family, which is often represented in the world of houseplants by dieffenbachia, colocasia, alocasia, philodendron, aglaonema and other plants, is dangerous because of its juice. When an affected leaf comes into contact with your hands and the juice is then rubbed into your skin, a strong allergic reaction and even damage to the skin and mucous membranes may occur. It is recommended to use gloves and gauze bandages when working with these plants;
• Aristolochia or carcassonne have very interesting flowers that contain enough alkaloids to be considered poisonous. These plants are considered medicinal, but it is still not recommended to keep such plants at home;
• spurge (euphorbia), croton (codeum) and acalypha are plants related to the Euphorbiaceae. The whitish juice that comes out of a broken stem or leaf can cause an allergic reaction in a person who touches it. Usually, contact with these plants should be limited as much as possible and they should be placed further away. An allergy can be caught when replanting plants or when washing leaves;
• Butterwort (crassula), Kalanchoe, Echeveria and Sedum or Stonecrop belong to plants from the Crassulaceae family. Such plants are used by many people as components used in traditional medicine recipes. They undoubtedly have a healing effect, but they can still cause an allergic reaction on the skin, and when taking the juice internally, they can provoke severe swelling of the respiratory system. Cyclamen can please with a similar "healing" effect, which is capable of causing a severe burn to the mucous membrane during its contact with the juice of the plant;
• Agave, on the contrary, cleanses the air in the room from unwanted manifestations of microflora, but its juice, which is usually used to treat lower back diseases and sciatica, can leave burns on the skin;
• Growing rhododendron at home may be unsafe - during the flowering period it emits a very persistent, strong odor, which can affect a person's health in the form of persistent headaches, sometimes accompanied by skin rashes.

Symptoms of flower allergy

What are the symptoms of allergies to flowers and other plants? Is there a symptomatic difference between allergies to flowers caused by wild plants and domestic ornamental plants?

Among the constant symptoms of allergy to flowers, patients experience difficulty breathing (especially nasal), as well as a runny nose and other watery nasal discharge. The most common symptom is sneezing.

Often, pollinosis is accompanied by itching of the mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and itching in the eyes. The eyes also give away the disease when there is abundant lacrimation, often conjunctivitis, and a “sand” effect in the eyes may be observed. If there is noise in the ears or the hearing organs hurt, this is also one of the signs of an allergy to flowers. Recurring seasonal dermatitis or bronchial asthma also indicate an allergy to flowering plants.

A sure symptom of flower allergy is the seasonality of the disease. If there is a cyclical process of repetition of the same manifestations of allergy, this is most likely a chronic allergy that appears during the flowering period of certain plants and the release of a large amount of pollen into the air. Over time, the duration of the symptoms can significantly increase and worsen. It is also possible to develop secondary allergies, for example, intolerance to strong odors, dust or changes in temperature.

Allergy to flowers in children

Hay fever often develops in children, to be more precise, almost every tenth child suffers from allergies to flowers. When pollen or essential oils get into the air, then are inhaled by the child, affecting the mucous membrane and settling on the skin and bronchi, parents and children often go to the doctor. Severe allergic reactions, rashes alarm caring parents and for good reason - allergies, like any other disease, need to be treated! The immune system of children reacts to pollen, harmless to many people, for a foreign invasion and fights against "enemy invaders".

As stated earlier, no one is born with allergies, but if the parents are ill, the child may soon develop an allergic reaction to flowering and the spread of pollen. Preliminary signs of the development of an allergy to flowers in a child are an allergy to improper feeding in infants, when a food allergy occurs. Then, during the development of the baby and the consumption of coarse food, due to the consumption of unwanted products such as sweets, carbonated drinks or chips, such an allergy can worsen. The peak of the development of an allergy to flowers in a child falls on the age of 6, when the immune system is already accustomed to fighting foreign elements in this way.

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Diagnosis of flower allergy

First of all, before starting treatment, it is necessary to diagnose flower allergy. Before treatment, you always need to understand what kind of problem you are facing.

First of all, the nature of the disease is important, that is, what kind of disease you have - allergic or non-allergic. Sometimes patients make a mistake when self-diagnosing, taking the body's reactions to other pathogens as an allergy to flowers. For example, allergies to medications are often confused with pollen allergies.

It is important to establish whether the disease is hereditary. To determine this characteristic, doctors collect anamnesis, which largely determines the connection between the allergy and the environment. Skin tests help determine which plant or type of plant a person is allergic to, as well as the extent of damage to the body and the nature of the disease.

To prescribe an effective course of treatment, it is better to seek help in diagnosing flower allergies from doctors.

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Treatment of flower allergies

Treatment of allergy to flowers is carried out with the help of medications of various pharmacological forms. The most effective antihistamines are: diazolin, suprastin, pipolfen, tavegil, peritol, fenkarol and others.

Diazolin is a tablet form; blocks histamine receptors, is an anti-allergen, reduces the degree of swelling of the mucous membrane. The effect after taking the medicine is visible after 15-30 minutes after taking the tablet, the effect can last up to 2 days. The dragee is taken by children under 5 years old at 0.05 g 2-3 times a day, for adults the dose is 0.3 g one-time, 0.6 g daily.

Suprastin - tablet and injection form; antihistamine drug that blocks histamine receptors. Taken during meals, 0.025 g 2-3 times a day; in severe cases, 1-2 ml of a 2% solution is administered intramuscularly or intravenously.

Pipolfen is a dragee; an antihistamine, eliminates itching, dries mucous membranes, has a pronounced anticholinergic effect on certain areas of the medulla oblongata, and has a sedative effect. The effect appears 20 minutes after administration and lasts up to 12 hours. The maximum daily dose for an adult is 150 mg. Intramuscularly - 25 mg once a day, in severe forms of the disease - 12.5 - 25 mg every 4-6 hours. Children over 6 years old - 25 mg 3-4 times a day.

Tavegil – tablet, injection, syrup form; blocks the production of histamine, antiallergen, prevents smooth muscle contractions, prevents vasodilation. The effect is achieved 5-7 minutes after administration, observed up to 12 hours. Prescribed 1 mg twice a day, if necessary, the dose is increased to 3-6 mg per day. Intravenous and intramuscularly prescribed 2 mg 2 times a day.

Peritol - tablet form, syrup; blocks gastamine, antiallergenic effect, sedative effect, blocks hypersecretion. Dose for adults - 4 mg 3 times a day, for children - from 0.4 to 12 mg per day depending on weight.

Fenkarol – tablet form; blocks the production of histamine, activates the enzyme diamine oxidase. For adults, the recommended dose is 25-50 mg 3-4 times a day. The maximum daily dose is 200 mg. The duration of the course of treatment is 10-15 days.

Nowadays, there are a number of antiallergic drugs whose effect lasts up to 24 hours. Some of them, such as Erius, have no side effects and are considered the safest. Thus, of the drugs prescribed for allergies to flowers, loratadine, clarotadine, fenistil, claritin, zirtek and the previously named Erius have a long-lasting effect.

Loratadine – tablet form; antiallergic, antipruritic action. The effect is observed 30 minutes after administration and lasts up to 24 hours. Dosage for adults and children over 12 years old – 1 tablet per day, children from 2 to 12 years old – 0.5 tablets.

Clarotadine – tablet form; blocks histamine, antiallergic, antipruritic agent. Does not affect the nervous system and is not addictive. The effect is achieved 30 minutes after administration, lasts up to 24 hours. Dosage for adults and children over 12 years old – 1 tablet per day, children from 2 to 12 years old – 0.5 tablets.

Fenistil – in the form of gel, drops; antiallergic effect, antiserotonin and antibradykinin effect. Dosage for adults – 20-40 drops three times a day. Children, depending on age and weight, are prescribed 0.1 mg of the substance per kilogram of weight 3 times a day.

Claritin – tablet form, suspension for oral administration, syrup; reduces the amount of histamine and leukotriene, relieves allergy symptoms. The effect is achieved 30 minutes after administration, lasts up to 24 hours. Adults and children who weigh more than 30 kg, take 10 mg 1 time per day.

Zyrtec is a form of drops, oral solution, tablets, syrup; it alleviates allergic reactions, relieves itching, and has an anti-exudative effect. The effect is achieved 20 minutes after taking the first dose of the drug, lasts 24 hours, and lasts for 3 days after the end of the course of treatment. When taking tablets, wash down with a glass of water; drops also dissolve in water. The dose for adults and children over 6 years old is 10 mg once a day, or 5 mg twice a day. For children under 6 years old, the daily dose should total 5 mg.

Erius is a tablet and syrup form; an antihistamine. It acts 30 minutes after taking, the period of action is up to 27 hours. Prescribed 1 tablet per day. If you use syrup for treatment - adults and children over 12 years old - 10 ml of the medicine 1 time per day. For children, the dosage varies from 1 mg to 2 mg.

Prevention of flower allergies

If you already know about your disease, you need to take preventive measures against flower allergies. Remember that the highest concentration of pollen in the air is observed in the morning, so it is better to choose a later time for walks in the fresh air. Also, during the flowering period, avoid trips to the countryside, forests, fields, etc. Do not keep dried bouquets of flowers at home.

It is worth giving up the use of cosmetics that contain plant extracts. When using detergents, you should also avoid those that contain floral components.

When going outside, do not forget to take sunglasses with you. Upon returning from the street, it is recommended to rinse the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, and also wash your face.

Remembering that clouds of pollen fly in the air in the morning, it is advisable to air the rooms in the evening. If you open the windows during the day, it is worthwhile to curtain the windows with thick cotton tulle or soaked net.

Daily wet cleaning of living and working areas is recommended. In nutrition, you also need to be as selective as possible in choosing products.

Remember, flower allergy is not a diagnosis. To eliminate it, you just need to choose the right treatment. If you have difficulty identifying the source of your poor health, do not panic and do not start treating yourself with everything. The best way out of this situation is to visit an allergist. The doctor will not only determine the most dangerous allergen for your health, but also select the most effective medication for treating allergies to flowers and other flowering plants.

Be healthy and happy!