Spring allergy

Spring allergy is another seasonal test for allergy sufferers. The allergic reaction caused by flowering plants, their pollen, is called pollen or spring catarrh. Typical manifestations of the immediate reaction of the body - rhinitis, watery eyes - conjunctivitis, often pollinosis provokes attacks of bronchial asthma. The culprits of the allergy are all the plants that are pollinated by the wind, these are all scented herbs, shrubs, birch, alder, poplar, maple and many other trees. Pollen enters the body, provokes specific mast cells (antibodies) to release histamine into the bloodstream, so spring allergies occur.

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Causes of the spring allergies

A spring allergy, pollinosis can be a genetically determined disease, according to statistics, if parents are allergic, then in 50% of cases their children will also be predisposed to allergic reactions. Almost 20% of all inhabitants of the planet are affected by spring pollinosis.

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Diagnostics of the spring allergies

One of the first and important stages is the collection of an anamnesis, including a family one.

Also, the allergist compares the calendar of flowering provoking plants and manifestations of allergy symptoms in the patient. It is important to collect information on the dynamics of exacerbations associated with the humidity and climatic conditions of the patient's residence. Next, a complex specific diagnosis is performed to identify the true allergen or group of allergens with the help of skin tests. The third stage is provocation, special tests, which are carried out strictly during the period of symptomatic relief (in remission): 

• Nasal test with spring allergy, manifested mainly rhinitis. 
• Conjunctival. 
• Inhalation - with symptoms that trigger bronchial asthma.
• In addition, immunological tests of blood serum for the determination of IgE level are prescribed.

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Differential diagnosis

How to determine what is bothering - a common cold or a spring allergy? 

• Pollinosis is characterized by seasonal symptoms, which recur at the same time. It is rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough, possibly swelling. 
• Spring allergy is almost never accompanied by an increase in body temperature. 
• In contrast to the common cold caused by a virus or infection, with pollen discharge abundant and watery. 
• Pollinosis is characterized by constant sneezing, when it occurs 7-10 times, which is not typical for a common cold. 
• The spring allergy is manifested by itching and reddening of the eyes, allergic conjunctivitis, with acute respiratory diseases such a symptom is practically not found. 
• Symptomatic of colds does not depend on the territory and location of the patient. With pollinosis, it is sufficient to leave the area, the provoking tree or shrub grows more and more, as the symptoms are smoothed. 
• Acute respiratory diseases do not lend themselves to cupping with antihistamines, in contrast to pollinosis.

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Treatment of the spring allergies

The choice of treatment depends on the stage of allergy and the flowering season (beginning, middle or end). In the peak flowering plants treatment is aimed at maximum protection of the body from irritants and allergy-provoking antigens. Drugs that help to neutralize the allergic reaction, fall into two categories: 

Prophylactic drugs

• Preparations of non-steroidal origin, antiallergic - ketotifen, suppressing allergic mediators, kromoglin. 
• Selective corticosteroid agents of local action - prednisolone ointment, hydrocortisone ointment. 
• Antihistamines - fenistil, klaritin, loratadine and others.

In addition to drug treatment, a spring allergy requires the patient himself to observe certain rules: 

• Daily ventilate the room, preferably at night, to minimize the possibility of ingress of street dust and pollen into the room. 
• Close doors and windows, or hang them with special nets, to prevent pollen from entering the room. 
• If possible, do not go out in the dry, hot, windy weather, when the humidity is lowered. 
• It is more common to take a shower to maximally wash the tiniest particles of pollen from the body. 
• Dry the bed and underwear indoors to avoid getting pollen from the plants on it. 

When the flowering season ends, regularly take immunomodulating medications to reduce the risk of relapse in the fall.

Spring allergy is not just an unpleasant phenomenon, but often leading to an exacerbation of many concomitant diseases, therefore, at the first symptoms of an allergic reaction it is necessary to contact a specialist allergist to get adequate professional help.

Prevention

In addition, that if possible to avoid contact with the plant, which provokes an allergic reaction, it is necessary to exclude from the diet several types of products several weeks before the flowering time. The fact is that some food products contain antigens, similar to substances that cause allergies. Basically, this is the food that is produced from plant provocateurs, as well as seasonings and herbs. The list of products that activate hay fever includes: 

• Bananas and melons. 
• Dill, celery. 
• Pepper bitter. 
• Sunflower seeds, both sunflower and pumpkin, nuts. 
• Drinks containing wormwood - balsams and vermouths, especially white (the name of vermouth comes from the German word Wermut - wormwood). 
• Halva. 
• Mustard and mayonnaise. 
• Raw carrots.

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