Hay fever - allergy to plant pollen. Symptoms, treatment, prevention. - Free online service - appointments at clinics

Hay fever (or seasonal allergic rhinitis) is a common allergic disease caused by pollen in the air.

Of the huge number of plant species growing on Earth, only a relatively small part produces pollen that can cause an allergic reaction in humans. The timing of the massive appearance of pollen in the air varies and depends primarily on the geographical location of the region. Thus, we owe attacks of spring pollinosis to the pollen of mainly woody plants: poplar, alder, birch, oak, maple, walnut. Summer exacerbation begins during the flowering period of grasses (mainly wild or cultivated cereals). In the fall, the most active culprits of allergies are ragweed, sunflower, wormwood, quinoa, etc.

The severity of pollinosis depends on the duration of the flowering season, the amount of pollen in the surrounding air, and individual susceptibility. Most often, making this diagnosis does not cause any difficulties - an allergist can easily recognize pollinosis by its characteristic clinical manifestations. A detailed allergological anamnesis and allergic diagnostic tests, especially provocative tests and skin tests, make it possible to establish which plant pollen caused such an allergic reaction.

How pollinosis manifests itself

Pollinosis is characterized by strict seasonality, as well as acute and recurring symptoms from year to year. With the onset of the flowering season of plants, susceptible people gradually begin to notice a whole range of characteristic symptoms: sneezing, nasal discharge, impaired nasal breathing, lacrimation.

Most people suffering from hay fever often experience increased fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, etc. in the middle of the season. In the most severe cases, bronchial asthma may develop.

Sometimes, inflammatory processes in the nose and eyes are accompanied by lesions of internal organs (gastritis, hepatitis, myocarditis), the nervous system (migraine), and the genitourinary system (cystitis, nephritis, vulvitis). However, it is worth noting that such symptoms are quite rare, are characterized by strict seasonality and almost completely disappear at the end of the season.

Hay fever outside the pollen season

However, the occurrence of symptoms of hay fever in susceptible people, including urticaria, allergic gastroenteritis, Quincke's edema and even anaphylactic shock, is possible outside the pollen season. This occurs when consuming plant foods or herbal preparations that have antigenic properties similar to pollen, as well as honey.

A person suffering from hay fever should keep in mind that certain food products of plant origin have antigens in common with allergenic pollen. In particular, with increased sensitivity to birch pollen, the patient may have an allergic reaction to apples, carrots, cherries, plums, nuts. Wormwood pollen is similar to sunflower oil, halva, citrus fruits. If symptoms of hay fever occur when in contact with quinoa pollen, it is better not to eat spinach and beets, and melons and bananas - if you are allergic to ragweed.

How to treat hay fever

The main principles of treating hay fever usually include the following steps:

• Elimination (removal of the allergen). Patients are advised to limit their time outdoors, wear dark glasses, take a shower and change clothes after each walk, regularly air condition the air in the room, try not to go to the green zone during the "dangerous" period, and, if possible, avoid herbal medicine.
• Allergen-specific immunotherapy, prescribed outside the exacerbation season, can effectively reduce the sensitivity of the patient's body to the action of the allergen, reduce the signs of allergic inflammation, as well as achieve stable remission and prevent the development of possible complications. This method involves introducing allergen solutions into the patient's body with a gradual increase in their concentration. This stimulates the production of neutralizing antibodies that can prevent the development of an allergic reaction.
• The use of drug therapy during the entire flowering period of plants to suppress allergic inflammation or reduce symptoms. Antihistamines, cromoglic acid preparations, corticosteroids, and vasoconstrictors are usually prescribed.

How to prevent hay fever

Doctors recommend that particularly susceptible people leave areas where allergenic plants grow for the entire flowering period, sometimes up to 6 months. It is advisable to stay in a closed, air-conditioned room or use medical respirators. It should be taken into account that the amount of pollen in the air is associated with an increase in wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and air temperature. The concentration of pollen is significantly reduced with high air humidity, during or immediately after rain, in windless weather.