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Allergy to ragweed: signs, what to do, treatment

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
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Allergy to ragweed is a problem that can cloud the perfect summer vacation. Let's look at the causes of the ragweed allergy, how to properly diagnose and cure it.

Summer is not only the most desirable season, but also the most dangerous for allergy sufferers. Since summer, this is the period of flowering of many plants that cause allergic reactions - a runny nose, headache, rash, fainting and other symptoms. Ambrosia starts to bloom from the end of July and ends as soon as a cold snap occurs. Ambrosia is a weed grass, weeds, which is very difficult to fight. Each ragweed flower can produce up to a billion grains of pollen, which are carried by the wind and can spread over distances greater than 500 kilometers.

Allergists say that ragweed pollen is the most aggressive allergen, which in addition to an allergic reaction can cause asthma. Many weeds and grasses are not able to cause such an active and complex allergic reaction, which acts directly on the mucous membrane and human skin.

It is impossible to insure against allergies, even a healthy person is able to "hurt" it. Scientifically proved that if a healthy person within two weeks will breathe air with a copious amount of pollen, then he will turn into an allergic person. It is simply impossible to cure such an allergy. It is the reason for the irreversible ragweed reaction that causes the move of allergy sufferers from the terrain, which causes unpleasant allergy symptoms.

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Causes of the ragweed allergies

The causes of the allergy to ragweed are beginning to bother from the end of July and until the first frost. During the flowering period, ambrosia begins to actively throw pollen into the air, which becomes the cause of allergic reactions. Pollen is a light plant matter that is carried very quickly by the wind over long distances. Interesting is the fact that villagers and villages are less likely to suffer from an allergy to ragweed, in contrast to residents of cities. All because of the fact that in cities because of industrial and exhaust gases a highly allergenic complex is formed.

The causes of allergy to ragweed are covered in ambrosic acid, which is part of the pollen. This substance causes the strongest allergic reaction and can cause asthma or hay fever. The most frightening fact is that allergies can cause a pair of pollen grains and cross reactions with other plant species, wormwood, a string, a mother and stepmother, sunflower.

If, during the harvesting of ambrosia, a healthy person who does not suffer from allergies will not be protected, the next year he will have an allergy to ragweed. An allergy to ragweed can cause bronchial asthma, which is very dangerous, especially if the allergy affects children. Note that many people can get allergies to ambrosia and through food, for example, milk.

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Symptoms of the ragweed allergies

As soon as the ragweed pollen gets on the skin or mucous membrane, that is, it penetrates into our body, the allergic reaction immediately begins. Symptoms of an allergy to ragweed are similar to the symptoms of allergies from other plant species.

The main symptoms of ragweed allergy: 

  • Redness of the eyes, conjunctivitis, lacrimation.
  • Stuffy nose and runny nose, itching.
  • Attacks of suffocation and sneezing, wheezing and choking in the throat.
  • Rashes on the body and fever.

These are the most common symptoms of ragweed, but they manifest differently. For example, severe rashes on the skin, which are accompanied by a depressed mood and strong irritability. In addition, there may be severe headaches, poor sleep, or insomnia, loss of smell and taste, reduced concentration. All these symptoms may indicate an allergy to ragweed.

But, more often than not, people perceive the above symptoms for an ordinary cold and try to treat it with various pills and syrups for colds. And this is simply unacceptable with an allergic reaction to ambrosia, since this can only exacerbate the situation. Antibiotics can lead to irreversible complications and even to death.

Do not forget that as soon as frost begins, the ragwort period will end, which means that the allergy will end. After a while, the symptoms will go away, and the allergy sufferer will have the opportunity to contact the allergic center to find out the causes of the allergy and the course of treatment.

Diagnostics of the ragweed allergies

Diagnosis of allergy to ragweed can be carried out both during the active flowering of the plant, and immediately after the beginning of the cold and ragweed escape. In the flowering season, ragweed causes a lot of painful symptoms: itching, lachrymation, runny nose, choking, coughing. Suffer from allergies to ambrosia can both adults and children. The only way that can protect against allergies is moving, that is, changing your residence, finding a new place where ragweed does not bloom.

But even after moving you will not get rid of the allergy to ragweed. Since in the lungs and nasopharynx of an allergic there is a lot of pus of allergenic pollen. That is why, during the flowering period, allergy sufferers cough and sneeze, as the body tries to get rid of the allergen independently. Note that accumulated over the years allergies, in the nasopharynx and lungs, sputum, rotten mucous cells and allergens can cause cancer or tuberculosis, that is, deadly diseases.

Diagnosis of ragweed allergy can also be carried out to study long-term symptoms. Many believe that an allergy is only a runny nose, itching and sneezing. But the allergy affects the whole body. Let's look at the long-term allergy symptoms, which allow to diagnose allergy to ragweed:

  • Headache and bad sleep.
  • Irritability and reduced concentration of attention.
  • Loss of taste and smell, ears embedded and swollen lips.

Diagnose and further treat allergies to ambrosia can be through skin tests. Therefore, when the first symptoms of an allergy occur, seek medical help immediately.

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Who to contact?

Treatment of the ragweed allergies

Treatment of allergy to ragweed should begin with a consultation with an allergist doctor. Treatment of allergy to ragweed should not be limited only to a visit to a specialist. It is necessary to protect yourself and your premises from pollen ragweed pollen. If you live in your own house, then worry about that ambrosia during flowering was absent in your yard and yard of neighbors. Pay special attention to cleaning and living conditions.

  • Regularly spend in the house wet cleaning. 
  • In the midst of ragweed bloom, do not leave windows and windows open. Buy an air conditioner or a fan for cooling. 
  • Do not leave in the early morning on the street. Since it is during this period, there is a high concentration of pollen in the air. 
  • After staying on the street, wash your hands thoroughly, rinse your nose and take a shower. This will get rid of the pollen that hit the body and skin from the street. 
  • If you have pets, then bathe them regularly, especially after walking outside.

Be sure to check your medicine chest. At you in the house there should be antihistamine preparations which at an exacerbation can stop an allergy on ragweed. As for the medical treatment of ragweed allergy, the above-mentioned antihistamines can help. Such preparations include xizal, clarite, allegra, levocetirizine, grains. From itching in the eyes and lacrimation can help eye drops. For example, aptivar, fumarate, patanol. As for the common cold, only an allergist can prescribe a drop, since all preparations for allergy contain steroids.

Allergy sufferers should know that many herbs and foods have a high protein content, which are similar to pollen. That is, it can also provoke an allergic reaction, as with allergy to ragweed. Also, when treating allergies, it is very important to follow a diet and adhere to the basic rules of hygiene.

Sometimes, as an allergy treatment for ragweed use alternative means. For example, juice from celery and honey, decoction of nettle leaves, tincture of pine needles and rose hips. As for the diet during an allergy, it is very important to eat properly. Well established and therapeutic starvation, which successfully relieves allergy symptoms.

Prevention

Prevention of allergy to ragweed begins with the protection of the house from the penetration of pollen, as well as compliance with hygiene and diet. Regularly hold a wet cleaning, do not leave the windows open, and during the ragweed bloom, use a window net that protects against pollen.

Also use anti-allergenic detergents and wear clothes made from natural fabrics. In addition, the prevention of allergy to ambrosia requires you to take a shower and wash your hair every evening during the flowering period of the allergen. Since this will protect you from getting pollen into your bed. Install in the house air conditioning and air cleaner. At the time of ambrosia blooms, it is better to give the animals to friends or neighbors, since they can provoke and intensify attacks of an allergic reaction to ragweed.

Allergy to ragweed is a dangerous disease that practically does not respond to treatment. Delivers flour throughout life, turning the flowering period into a real torture. Adhere to the above recommendations, this will partially protect yourself from allergies to ragweed. Do not forget, as soon as the first signs of an allergy are felt, you should immediately seek medical help. Only an allergist can cure an allergy to ragweed or at least alleviate the symptoms of the course of the disease.

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