What are the main triggers of summer allergies. How do summer allergies differ from spring allergies. What are the most effective treatments for summer allergy symptoms. How can you minimize exposure to summer allergens. When should you seek medical help for summer allergies.

Common Summer Allergy Triggers: From Pollen to Air Pollution

Summer allergies can be just as troublesome as their spring counterparts, often catching many off guard. While spring allergies are primarily triggered by tree pollen, summer brings its own set of allergens that can cause discomfort for millions of people. Understanding these triggers is the first step in managing summer allergies effectively.

Pollen: The Persistent Culprit

Pollen remains a significant allergen in summer, but its source shifts from trees to grasses and weeds. Some of the most common pollen-producing plants in summer include:

• Grasses: Bermuda, blue grasses, orchard, red top, sweet vernal, and timothy
• Weeds: Ragweed, cockleweed, pigweed, Russian thistle, sagebrush, and tumbleweed

Among these, ragweed is particularly notorious, capable of traveling hundreds of miles on the wind and affecting people even in areas where it doesn’t grow locally.

Air Pollution and Smog

Summer air pollution, especially ground-level ozone, can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Ozone is formed when sunlight reacts with chemicals from car exhaust and other sources. The strong sunlight and calm winds typical of summer create ideal conditions for ozone formation, particularly in urban areas.

Insect Stings and Bites

Summer sees increased activity of stinging insects such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and fire ants. While not allergens in the traditional sense, these insects can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals.

Mold Spores and Dust Mites

Warm, humid summer conditions create an ideal environment for mold growth and dust mite reproduction. Mold spores can become airborne and trigger allergic reactions, while dust mites, which thrive in warm temperatures, can cause symptoms when their residue becomes airborne.

Recognizing Summer Allergy Symptoms: More Than Just a Summer Cold

Summer allergy symptoms often mirror those of spring allergies, but their persistence and severity can vary. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Common Summer Allergy Symptoms

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Wheezing (in some cases)

Can summer allergy symptoms be mistaken for a cold? Yes, summer allergy symptoms can often be confused with a common cold. However, allergies typically last longer than a cold and don’t usually cause fever or body aches.

Diagnosing Summer Allergies: When to Seek Professional Help

If you suspect you’re suffering from summer allergies, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis. This can help you understand your specific triggers and develop an effective treatment plan.

The Diagnostic Process

1. Medical history review: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and allergy history.
2. Physical examination: This may include examining your eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
3. Allergy testing: Your doctor may recommend skin tests or blood tests to identify specific allergens.

Should you see an allergist for summer allergies? If over-the-counter treatments aren’t providing relief, or if your symptoms are significantly impacting your quality of life, it’s advisable to consult an allergist. They can provide more comprehensive testing and develop a tailored treatment plan.

Effective Treatments for Summer Allergies: From OTC to Prescription Options

Managing summer allergies often involves a combination of avoiding triggers and using appropriate medications. The right treatment approach can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications

• Antihistamines: These help relieve sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
• Decongestants: These can provide relief from nasal stuffiness.
• Nasal corticosteroids: These sprays help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Eye drops: These can relieve itchy, watery eyes.

Prescription Medications

If OTC medications aren’t sufficient, your doctor may prescribe:

• Stronger corticosteroid nasal sprays
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)
• Ipratropium bromide nasal spray

Immunotherapy

For severe or persistent allergies, immunotherapy may be recommended. This involves exposing you to small doses of allergens to build tolerance over time. It can be administered as:

• Allergy shots
• Sublingual tablets
• Sublingual drops

How long does it take for allergy medications to work? Most antihistamines start working within 1-2 hours, while nasal sprays may take a few days to reach full effectiveness. Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that can take several months to show significant results.

Strategies for Minimizing Exposure to Summer Allergens

While it’s impossible to completely avoid allergens, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your exposure and minimize symptoms.

Indoor Strategies

• Keep windows and doors closed, especially on high pollen days
• Use air conditioning and air purifiers with HEPA filters
• Clean or replace air filters regularly
• Vacuum frequently using a vacuum with a HEPA filter
• Wash bedding in hot water weekly to reduce dust mites
• Maintain indoor humidity between 30-50% to discourage mold and dust mite growth

Outdoor Strategies

• Check pollen forecasts and limit outdoor activities on high pollen days
• Wear a mask when mowing the lawn or doing outdoor chores
• Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
• Avoid hanging laundry outside to dry

Is it better to exercise indoors or outdoors if you have summer allergies? For those with summer allergies, indoor exercise is often preferable, especially on days with high pollen counts. If you do exercise outdoors, try to do so in the early morning or evening when pollen levels are typically lower.

Managing Severe Allergic Reactions: Recognizing and Responding to Anaphylaxis

While most summer allergy symptoms are uncomfortable but not dangerous, some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions, particularly to insect stings. Recognizing the signs of a severe reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is crucial.

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Swelling of the throat or tongue
• Dizziness or fainting
• Rapid pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Skin rash or hives

What should you do if you suspect anaphylaxis? If you or someone around you shows signs of anaphylaxis, it’s crucial to act quickly:

1. Use an epinephrine auto-injector if available
2. Call emergency services immediately
3. Lie flat with legs elevated, unless this position causes breathing difficulty
4. If conscious and able to swallow, take an antihistamine

Individuals with known severe allergies should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector and wear a medical alert bracelet.

The Impact of Climate Change on Summer Allergies

Climate change is having a significant impact on allergy seasons, including summer allergies. Understanding these changes can help allergy sufferers better prepare and manage their symptoms.

Longer Allergy Seasons

Warmer temperatures are leading to longer growing seasons for many allergenic plants. This means allergy seasons are starting earlier and lasting longer, potentially increasing the duration of summer allergy symptoms.

Increased Pollen Production

Higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are causing some plants to produce more pollen. For example, ragweed, a common summer allergen, has been shown to produce more pollen under elevated CO2 conditions.

Changes in Plant Distribution

Climate change is altering the geographic distribution of various plant species. This means that people may be exposed to new allergens as different plants become established in their regions.

How can allergy sufferers adapt to these changes? Staying informed about local pollen forecasts, starting allergy treatments earlier in the season, and working closely with healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans as needed can help manage the impacts of these climate-related changes.

Emerging Research and Future Treatments for Summer Allergies

The field of allergy research is constantly evolving, with new insights and potential treatments emerging regularly. Staying informed about these developments can provide hope and new options for those struggling with summer allergies.

Targeted Immunotherapies

Researchers are working on more targeted forms of immunotherapy that could provide faster relief with fewer side effects. These include:

• Peptide immunotherapy, which uses small pieces of allergens to induce tolerance
• DNA vaccines that could potentially “turn off” allergic responses

Biologics

Biologic drugs, which target specific pathways in the immune system, are showing promise for treating severe allergies. While currently used primarily for asthma and eczema, ongoing research is exploring their potential for seasonal allergies.

Microbiome Interventions

Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiome plays a role in allergies. Research is exploring how modifying the microbiome through probiotics or other interventions could help prevent or treat allergies.

When might these new treatments become available? While some of these treatments are still in early stages of research, others are in clinical trials. It’s likely that new treatment options will become available over the next 5-10 years, potentially revolutionizing summer allergy management.

Summer allergies can significantly impact quality of life, but with proper understanding, prevention, and treatment, their effects can be minimized. By staying informed about triggers, symptoms, and treatment options, and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals can enjoy the summer months with greater comfort and fewer allergy symptoms. As research continues to advance, the future looks promising for those affected by summer allergies, with more targeted and effective treatments on the horizon.

Summer Allergies

Spring’s over, but you’re still stopped up, sniffly, and sneezing.

Welcome to summer allergy season. It keeps going long after April’s showers and May’s flowers are gone.

Many of the same triggers are to blame. Once you know what they are, you can take steps to get treated.

Pollen Is the Biggest Culprit

Trees are usually done with their pollen-fest by late spring. That leaves grasses and weeds to trigger summer allergies.

The type of plant to blame varies by location. Those most likely to make you sneeze or sniffle include:

Weeds

• Ragweed
• Cockleweed
• Pigweed
• Russian thistle
• Sagebrush
• Tumbleweed

Grasses

• Bermuda
• Blue grasses
• Orchard
• Red top
• Sweet vernal
• Timothy

Ragweed is one of the most common summer allergy triggers. It can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind. So even if it doesn’t grow where you live, it can make you feel bad if you’re allergic to it.

Smog: It’s Worst This Time of Year

Summer air pollution can make your symptoms worse. One of the most common is ozone at the ground level. It’s created in the atmosphere from a mix of sunlight and chemicals from car exhaust. Summer’s strong sunlight and calm winds create clouds of ozone around some cities.

Critters That Sting Are More Active

Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, fire ants, and other insects can cause allergic reactions when they sting. If you have a severe allergy, a run-in with one of them could lead to a life-threatening situation.

Insect bites usually cause mild symptoms, like itching and swelling around the area. Sometimes they lead to a severe allergic reaction, though. Your throat feels like it’s swelling shut, and your tongue might swell. You could feel dizzy, nauseated, or go into shock. This is an emergency, and you’ll need to get medical help right away.

Tiny Things Grow in Warm Air

Molds love damp areas, including the basement and bathrooms. Their spores get into the air and set off an allergic reaction.

Microscopic insects called dust mites peak during summer. They thrive in warm, humid temperatures and nest in beds, fabric, and carpets. Their residue can get into the air and set off sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

What Are Summer Allergy Symptoms?

They’re pretty much the same as those that troubled you in the spring:

How Are They Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and allergy history. They may suggest treatments.

Or they might refer you to a doctor who specializes in treating allergies for a skin test. This allergist will expose a small spot on your arm or back to a tiny sample of allergen. If you react, a small red bump will form. A blood test can also diagnose allergies.

How Are Allergies Treated?

Over-the-counter medications include:

If over-the-counter remedies don’t help, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs)
• Ipratropium bromide nasal spray (Atrovent)
• Immunotherapy — you’ll get tiny doses of allergens in the form of shots, tablets, or drops.

To treat insect stings or bites:

How to Make Allergy Season Easier

Take some simple steps to avoid your triggers.

• Stay inside when the pollen count and smog levels are high.
• Keep your doors and windows closed. Run your air conditioner to keep allergens out. Use an air purifier.
• Clean air filters in your home often. Also clean bookshelves, vents, and other places where pollen collects.
• Wash bedding and rugs in hot water to get rid of dust mites and other allergens.
• Wash your hair, shower, and change your clothes after you go outside.
• Vacuum often and wear a mask. The process can kick up pollen, mold, and dust trapped in your carpet. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Wear a mask when you mow your lawn to avoid grass pollen.
• Keep the humidity in your house between 30% and 50% so dust mites won’t thrive.

A Month-by-Month Guide to Seasonal Allergies in Richmond, Virginia

We often think of spring as “allergy season. ” But if you’re an allergy sufferer, every season can seem like allergy season. What steps can you take to keep your allergies from becoming an irritation all year round?

Common Allergy Symptoms

Allergic reactions occur in two phases: the histamine reaction and the delayed response. The histamine reaction happens upon immediate exposure to allergens. Meanwhile, the delayed response happens after allergen exposure over a long period of time.

Someone experiencing a histamine reaction might have these symptoms:

• Itching eyes
• Itchy throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Eye irritation
• Nasal congestion, which tends to build up the longer other symptoms go on.

The delayed response happens as a result of chronic inflammation. It usually manifests as bad nasal congestion and irritation that worsens over time.

Make an appointment to speak to an ENT doctor about your allergies.

Seasonal Allergens

When we talk about allergens, we’re mainly talking about pollen, which comes from the flowers of plants and trees. Because different flowers and trees produce pollen at different times, there’s no “one” season for allergies.

Spring Allergens

The period from late February to summer tends to be the worst for many allergy sufferers. Tree pollens such as oak, maple, and river birch are blooming during this time. The dry wind we see in early spring will spread allergens and raise the pollen count. Spring rains often flush everything down to the ocean and drop pollen counts. However, this warm wet weather can cause mold count to rise — meaning trouble for those with mold allergies.

Summer Allergens

From June to August and even September is the season for grass pollen allergies. Grass is growing everywhere, and grass pollen is a potent allergen, meaning those allergic to it will suffer the most during this time of year. The hot, humid weather will mean continuing difficulty for those allergic to mold.

Read more: How Your Air Quality Affects Your Allergies

Fall Allergens

Fall is the season for weed pollens — ragweed, thistle, goldenrod and more. From late summer into the fall, these allergens can persist until the first hard frost of the year. As with the spring, dry wind can make airborne allergies a nuisance.

Winter Allergens

It’s true there are no defined seasonal allergens in the winter. However, the things you’re allergic to the rest of the year will still be around: dust mites, pets, and so on. The dryness and coldness of the air can also cause congestion. During the winter, you should manage your environment to reduce your exposure to indoor allergens.

Read more: Can an ENT doctor treat my allergies?

What Can You Do to Manage Your Allergies?

While it’s difficult to entirely eliminate the effects of allergens on your body, there are steps you can take to make the symptoms less severe. Over-the-counter medications and antihistamines can treat allergies for a few weeks without a problem, and nasal steroid sprays work well for chronic symptoms. Other solutions include:

If you have seasonal allergies and work outside, change out of your daytime clothes once you’re home. This will reduce your exposure to any allergens collected during the day.

• Wash your sheets weekly to reduce allergen buildup.
• Keep your windows closed.
• Stay inside from 10am to 4pm if possible.
• Saline sinus rinses help flush out allergens and limit the allergic reaction.
• If you’re allergic to your pets, keep them out of your bedroom.
• Plan ahead for next month’s allergy. If you know oak tree pollen will be high in March and April, start taking medication in February.

No one likes allergies. With a few lifestyle changes and basic caution, you can manage your allergies and get back to your life.

If you have questions about seasonal allergies, or think your allergy-like symptoms may be a sign of something else, contact Virginia ENT to schedule an appointment today.

Ragweed and summer allergies |Tufts Medical Center

Do you sneeze, cough and experience other common allergy symptoms at certain points of the year? For some 36 million Americans with seasonal allergies, the change of season can bring on a whole new set of symptoms and misery.  

Although we typically hear about spring allergies in Massachusetts, summer allergies also are common. An allergist at Tufts Medical Center, discusses one of the primary summer allergy offenders, explains which symptoms to look out for and recommends diagnosis and treatment options. 

How do seasonal allergies affect your breathing?

Nasal congestion can make it very difficult to breathe through your nose, making even normal activities difficult. Sometimes, the symptoms can be worse at bedtime, since lying flat can increase congestion. Post nasal drip is a common symptom in many allergy sufferers, which can lead to coughing.  Also, people with asthma might find it harder to breath during allergy season.

What are other summer allergy symptoms and what causes them?

Common symptoms to be on the lookout for include sneezing, runny nose, congestion, and itchy/watery eyes. People who have summertime allergies often are allergic to grasses, which flourish in the summer.      

What are the allergens that are in the air during each season?

Tree pollens are most commonly found in air in the spring time, while grass pollen is most prevalent in the summer time and weed pollen is most common in the fall.  People may also be allergic to things that are found year-round, such as dust mites and animal danders.  

What is ragweed?

Ragweed is a type of weed that is found extensively throughout the country and is an extremely common cause of pollen allergies. Ragweed season starts in late summer, typically in August, and tends to last until the frost. Ragweed is known for producing a huge amount of pollen per plant, making it a top cause of allergy symptoms in many people.     

Are people in the city exposed to ragweed or it more prominent in the suburbs?

Both people living in the city and in the suburbs can have ragweed allergy. The pollen can travel far distances on the wind, so even if you don’t have ragweed near you, you can still be exposed to it.

Is it particularly bad for people who have grass and tree allergies?

People who have preexisting grass and tree pollen allergies are often more likely to have ragweed allergy, as well.  However, some people are just allergic to ragweed pollen alone.  

How can seasonal allergies be diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosing allergies is usually done via a skin test in your allergist’s office. A small amount of the allergen is placed on the skin with a specialized device. After fifteen minutes, if you have an allergy, a reaction will develop on the skin.  

Treatment varies from person to person depending on how severe their symptoms are and how many months of the year they experience symptoms. Treatments can include over the counter pills and nasal sprays, prescription medications or even allergy shots.  

What can you do about ragweed allergens specifically?

Staying indoors in the air conditioning can help. Pollen counts are usually the heaviest midday, and on windy days.   The treatment for ragweed allergy is the same as for other pollen allergies.

Is The Summer Heat Making Your Allergies Worse?

Most of us usually think summer is a time for clear breathing and fun in the sun, but that may not actually be the case. The summer heat can actually make allergies worse than usual.

Heat promotes plant growth which means more pollen

Many plants pollinate based on environmental triggers which is why we have different allergy seasons caused by different plants. Most grasses like to pollinate during the heat, which is why summer is when grass allergies are at their worst. Add in the constant mowing of lawns and summer breezes, and grass pollen easily gets into the air we breathe.

With summer heat comes summer bugs

And by summer bugs, we’re mostly talking about cockroaches. Out of all the non-plant or mold allergies that we test for, cockroach is one of the most common that people are allergic to. So, you can put that on the already expansive list on why cockroaches are the worst.

Cockroaches are always around in Texas, but summer is when they become the most bold and abundant. The feces, saliva, and shedding body parts of cockroaches can all be allergy triggers and these allergens work like most where its spread by getting swept up in the air. Luckily, decreasing the effects of cockroach allergy is the same as decreasing the number of cockroaches in your house. Keep it clean, keep food in containers, and fix leaks to water and areas where cockroaches will flock.

Heat pushes us to wet, humid areas

What’s one of the best ways to spend a hot summer day? Being in the water. Texas has tons of natural water and swimming holes, waterparks are around every corner, and you also have your neighborhood or backyard pool to go hang out. If there’s one allergen that likes water more than cockroaches, it’s mold.

When we go to these constantly damp and humid areas, we’re exposing ourselves to more outside mold than we usually encounter. Mold allergies, along with dust, are one of the most common but unrecognized allergies for the general public. When you’re going out to the water in the summer heat, you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared with an antihistamine to combat your allergic symptoms.

Speaking of mold, it’s not just affecting us outdoors – it’s also affecting us in our homes.

Heat moves us inside

Sometimes you look at your weather app and see 3 digits depicting the current temperature for the day. A lot of us take that as a good excuse to have a lazy day inside. And trust me, there’s nothing wrong with doing that! However, when we’re staying inside for longer periods of time in the summer, we’re exposing ourselves to indoor allergens and this is even true for all the neat freaks out there. An estimated 70% of homes have mold behind their walls. For some, a little mold can be fine and not really influence your health or breathing, but mold allergies are extremely common and a lot of times that means our indoor air quality may be worse than the outdoors.

And mold isn’t the only allergen causing the sniffles inside your house, dust mites are just as big of a factor. Dust mites and mold are year-round allergens with serious effects on your health. Dust mites also like to spend most of their time where you are (hopefully) spending 8 hours every day — your bed.

Dust can be much more manageable than mold because it’s not hiding behind the wall, but if you have children, pets, roommates, or anyone sharing your space with you, that manageability becomes less and less realistic.

Handling allergies increased by summer heat

The point of this blog isn’t to scare you, but to prepare you. Too many people spend their summers sniffling and sneezing while blaming it on a cold or illness, when it’s something as simple as allergies.

Think about this summer and if you felt under the weather. If it was pretty consistent, maybe you shouldn’t blame it on sharing some chips and queso with a friend, and instead take control of your allergies.

4 clear signs you have seasonal allergies

For some people, just the thought of being outside during spring or summer makes them want to sneeze. 

Michael Heim / EyeEm / Getty

Some people love spring and summer: Blooming flowers, warm sunshine and chirping birds are a welcome arrival for many people after the dark and cold winter months. For about 8% of American adults, though, the change of seasons spells misery. 

Those 20 million people deal with allergic rhinitis, or seasonal allergies, a condition caused when your immune system reacts to something in the environment. In most cases, that something is pollen from trees, grasses and weeds.  

Commonly called hay fever, seasonal allergies actually have nothing to do with hay or fevers. That misnomer comes from a long-gone era when symptoms would strike during hay harvests in late summer and early fall, before medical professionals knew what allergies were. 

Think you might have seasonal allergies? See how your symptoms match up against these four big signs. 

1. You’ve got all the typical symptoms

If you think of sneezing, wheezing and watery eyes when you think of seasonal allergies, you’d be on the right track. There’s a good chance you have seasonal allergies if you experience any of the following symptoms: 

• Frequent sneezing
• Watery or itchy eyes
• Runny nose 
• Congestion in your nose, ears or chest
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy throat 
• Puffy eyelids

Most seasonal allergies are caused by pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. If you have winter allergies, you’re probably allergic to an indoor allergen like dust mites.

Marcel Holscher / EyeEm / Getty

2. You have these less common symptoms 

The symptoms above are extremely common, but your allergies might show up in a different way. These less common, but still bona fide, symptoms may indicate seasonal allergies: 

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Sudden lack of exercise endurance
• Mild headache

3. You

don’t have these symptoms

Colds and allergies share many of the same symptoms, so it can be tough to tell which one you’re going through. Because they share symptoms — such as coughing and congestion — it’s helpful to consider the symptoms that these two conditions don’t share. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, there’s a good chance you have a cold:

• Fatigue
• Aches and pains throughout your body
• Weakness
• Severe headache
• Sore throat (different from the itchiness caused by allergies)

Another way to tell the difference between a cold and allergies is the duration of your symptoms. Colds usually go away on their own in seven to 10 days, whereas allergies persist until they’re treated or until the trigger is gone — which can take months depending on what you are allergic to.

If you know you’re allergic to pollen, you can try an app like Zyrtec AllergyCast to check the pollen counts and see if it’s a good idea (or not) to go outside. 

Screenshot from App Store

4. Your symptoms only show up at certain times

If you have seasonal allergies, your symptoms should arise and go away around the same time each year. For most people, seasonal allergy symptoms begin in the spring and end in the fall. However, depending on your allergy triggers, you may experience allergic rhinitis in any of the four seasons. Here’s a rundown of plants that commonly cause seasonal allergies:

Spring: Tree pollen, particularly that from oak, elm,  birch, cedar, willow, poplar, horse chestnut and alder trees.

Summer: Grasses, such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass and more. 

Fall: Pollen from weeds is the main concern in the fall months. Many people are allergic to the pollen in ragweed, tumbleweed, pigweed, sagebrush, Russian thistle and more. 

Winter: Most people find that their allergies go dormant during the winter months because most plants don’t pollinate during winter. If you still get watery eyes and a runny nose during cold weather, you might be allergic to indoor allergens, such as dust mites, mold or pet dander. 

How to treat seasonal allergies

In most cases, an over-the-counter antihistamine and decongestant will do the trick. If you have severe allergies, however, your doctor may prescribe nasal steroid spray or allergy shots to dampen symptoms. 

It’s always a good idea to try your best to avoid your triggers, but that doesn’t mean you have to hole up inside with a box of tissues. To get less exposure to your allergens: 

• Keep your windows shut when your allergies are active
• Use an air purifier if you’re sensitive to indoor allergens
• Wear a dust mask while doing yard work 
• Check your local weather network for pollen forecasts
• Take a shower and wash your hair at the end of each day to get rid of pollen that attached to your clothes, hair and skin

30 spring cleaning tricks you’ll wish you’d known all along

See all photos

I think I have an allergy, but I’m not sure…

Generally, if you experience any combination of the typical symptoms — watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, etc. — you can safely conclude that you’re allergic to something. 

If you don’t know what that something is and you want to find out, your primary care doctor can refer you to an allergist. Allergists conduct skin or blood tests to determine what substances you’re allergic to. 

The thing is, most people exhibit the same symptoms regardless of the allergen, because allergic rhinitis is a condition with symptoms independent of triggers. So if your allergies aren’t severe, then you’re probably OK to take an over-the-counter allergy pill and not worry about it. If your allergies are severe, though, you might benefit from an allergy test so you can actively avoid your triggers. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Common Florida Allergies | Lockey, Fox, Ledford & Glaum MDs PA

An allergy is the body’s reaction to a substance, like pet dander, mold, certain foods, vermin debris, some medications, or pollen. Antibodies mistakenly identify the protein in the allergen as an invading enemy and take defensive action.

The reaction can be mild and temporary, or severe enough to need medications or even a trip to the emergency room.  What many people think of as seasonal allergies are commonly referred to as hay fever, while the medical term is “seasonal allergic rhinitis.”

In Florida, since icy winters and drought-affected summers are relatively non-existent, flowers and trees bloom longer and continue producing pollen. Allergies are stronger and persist over an extended period. Different allergen-producing foliage peaks earlier, and at different times throughout the year.

Common Florida Allergens

Oak and pine season is from December through May, and again from October through November. Grass pollen season extends from April to October. Weed season for ragweed and dog fennel goes from May through December, with a secondary weed pollen season from March though July for sorrel and dock.

Ragweed is rampant all over Florida and is a prime cause of allergies, especially in Fall.  Wind-blown ragweed allergens can travel for hundreds of miles. Just one plant produces more than one billion grains of pollen per season.

Proper, professional weed control is needed around the home and yard.

Mold thrives in damp, humid, and cool environments, especially in decaying plant matter – leaves and grass clippings, compost piles and rotting, wet wood. Mold spores spread like pollen allergens. Mold spreads easily indoors; it goes dormant in winter until temperatures warm again.

Clear plant matter; fix or remove rotting wood. Repair outside and inside to eliminate potential breeding grounds for mold.

Other Seasonal Allergy Triggers

Smoke (from fall campfires) is a common asthma trigger. Sit upwind of fires and carry inhalers.

Insect bites and stings can cause the life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. Those allergic should always carry a prescribed epinephrine, wear shoes in the yard, keep food covered and not drink from open soft drink cans or glasses. Professionally treat for insects around the yard and home.

Food ingredients in many dishes can lead to dangerous allergic reactions, especially among children. Check food ingredients and let others know about your family’s food allergies.

Additional Tips to Manage and Control Your Fall Allergies

• Stay inside with closed doors and windows when pollen counts are at their highest.
• Clean cooling/heating vents and change filters each season, so trapped mold and other allergens do not get released into the house.
• Install a HEPA filter to eliminate harmful allergens and particles.
• Use a dehumidifier set to keep indoor humidity below 50%.

Common Allergy Symptoms

Ragweed and Grass Allergy Symptoms:

• Itchy, stinging, and watery eyes
• Scratchy throat and excess saliva
• Runny nose, nasal congestion, watery nose
• Asthma attacks (in severe cases)
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Trouble Sleeping
• Coughing and wheezing

Mold Allergy Symptoms:

All the symptoms of grass and ragweed allergies plus:

• Hives or worsening eczema
• Swollen Eyelids
• Wheezing
• Upset Stomach

Note: Allergy symptoms are similar to and can often be confused with colds and the flu! Symptoms that persist over two weeks may indicate allergies, however, you may need to contact your doctor if a fever is present.

Medical Steps in Planning for Allergies

Some planning and steps can be taken to ensure that allergies don’t control your life and trap you inside your home. The key is to start treatment proactively before symptoms appear.

1. Get tested to determine the specific pollens you are allergic to, and take the allergist’s advice and prescriptions. Allergy shots can significantly improve symptoms.

2. Allergy immunotherapy treatments introduce small doses of an allergen to gradually acclimatize your body and induce long-term tolerance.

3. Nasal saline sprays and steroids help reduce inflammation.

4. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines can help keep symptoms under control.

Non-medical Steps in Planning for Allergies

Track pollen counts at the National Allergy Bureau website (aaaai.org/nab) to minimize exposure. Your local weather report will often also include the pollen count.

Wear a dust mask to filter out pollen, especially when working outside.

Flush your eyes and wash hands often and keep them away from your face. Shower and wash hair after outdoor activities to remove any clinging pollen.

Men should shave regularly.

Change and wash all outdoor clothing promptly when returning to the home.

Avoid air-drying laundry outside.

Good Housekeeping for Combating Allergens

• Use air conditioning in the car and home to filter the air. Clean your HVAC system regularly, at least every three months.

• Purchase a HEPA filter or air filtration unit to effectively reduce the number of allergens in your home.

• Remove indoor plants or at least keep them to a minimum.

• Keep basements, bathrooms, and other humidity-prone rooms well-ventilated, or purchase a dehumidifier.

• Consider replacing carpeted floors with wood or tile.

• Prevent build-up and spread of mold by regularly cleaning garbage bins, sinks, and appliances with a bleach solution.

Being a Florida resident or visitor comes with a unique relationship with all the possible allergens in the air. At Allergy & Asthma Associates of Tampa Bay, our allergists are highly trained in testing, diagnosing, and treating allergies and asthma. If you’ve tried everything to treat your allergies, and nothing works, call us for an appointment at (813) 971-9743.

Summer Allergies | PDX ENT

Posted on July 6, 2018 by PDX ENT

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy. Unless you are one of the 24 million Americans in Portland and throughout the United States who suffers from allergies during the warmest months of the year. In that case, summertime is anything but easy; instead, it can be downright miserable, leading you to wish for cooler weather and a reprieve from all that pollen in the air.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies are your immune system’s response to a perceived threat. When your body encounters germs or bacteria it deems harmful, the immune system goes on the attack, releasing antibodies – proteins designed to protect against foreign invaders. These cause the release of histamines, chemicals that are responsible for the classic allergy symptoms.

Summer Allergy Symptoms

Allergies may occur throughout the year but are especially prevalent during the summer months when trees, grasses and weeds release pollen into the air. This leads to hay fever and its resultant symptoms, which include:

• Stuffy and/or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchiness in the nose and throat
• Sore throat
• Postnasal drip
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Pressure in the ears
• Fatigue
• Allergic shiners (bluish skin beneath the eyes)

Treating Summer Allergies

The best way to treat summer allergies is to avoid the allergens that trigger your immune system’s response. This is easier said than done in Portland, where the fertile Willamette Valley – dubbed “the grass capital of the world” – is responsible for widespread allergy symptoms in people of all ages. Short of locking yourself inside your house for three months, there are other, less drastic steps you can take to treat summer allergies.

Many people turn to medications for allergy relief. Over-the-counter drugs such as brand name antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal and oral corticosteroids may be helpful. If not, your doctor can prescribe stronger medications.

If medications don’t do the trick, consider immunotherapy (allergy shots). These help your body build up a tolerance to the allergens that cause you misery, leading to long-term relief. You must commit to three or more years of treatment, but in the end, you’ll probably find it worthwhile.

The good news is, you have options! If you are tired of dealing with allergies and want to enjoy the summer months, which are all-too-fleeing in the Pacific Northwest, your Portland ear, nose and throat provider can help you find relief.

How to survive in the allergy season: the flowering calendar

During the flowering period of plants, seasonal allergies are manifested in every third Russian. “360” tells how to meet hay fever fully armed and maximally ease your well-being.

If, with the arrival of heat, your eyes begin to water, a runny nose and a cough appear, and for breakfast along with porridge – antihistamines, in the coming months you will have to be extra careful. Allergy to pollen, which is also called hay fever or hay fever, occurs during the flowering season in every third Russian.

“Calendar of suffering” allergy sufferer

The first thing an allergy sufferer should know is when the tree or grass that bothers him blooms. An approximate flowering calendar for plants in central Russia will help prepare in advance for the flowering of exactly “your” allergen.

What blooms in spring

Depending on the weather, alder and hazel, and sometimes poplar, may be the first to bloom in March. In April, wild and garden primroses are added to them: snowdrops, primrose, crocuses, hyacinths, coltsfoot, sometimes dandelions.Those who are allergic to birch, willow, elm, ash, maple pollen also sneeze.

In May comes the turn of garden honeysuckle, lilies of the valley, oak, pine, spruce, lilac, bird cherry, fruit trees and shrubs: gooseberries, currants, raspberries, – as well as plums, apple trees, pears, cherries. From the second decade of the month – cereals such as wheat, rye and barley. From the third – plantain, nettle, sorrel, acacia, mountain ash and celandine. Most trees can continue to bloom until early June.

That blooms in summer

In June, the flowering of dandelion, plantain, cereals, sorrel continues.Yes, and wormwood, quinoa and other representatives of the Haze family begin to cause inconvenience to allergy sufferers. Rosehips, viburnum, cornflower and remontant strawberries and wild strawberries are dusting. Daisies, peonies, irises and lilies gradually bloom.

In the second decade of the month, jasmine and a mock-orange that smells like it bloom. In late June and early July, it is time for the linden tree. But in the middle of the month, the flowering of alder ends, and then of pine. But birch can emit pollen right up to the end of August.

In summer, most wild and forest flowers and plants bloom: clover, tansy, St. John’s wort, willow-herb, loosestrife, dung, buttercups, and so on.

Why sneeze in the fall

The main autumn allergen is the pollen of the same weeds: mari, quinoa, stag beetle, camels, hodgepodge and wildflowers, many of which bloom until frost.

Calendar of flowering plants of central Russia by months

Pollen monitoring

Using a number of sites or their mobile applications, you can track the concentration of pollen in real time. For example, the resource “Pollen Club” monitors dusting not only in Russia, but also in the world.The forecast is based on the indicators of well-being provided by the users of the service. Allergy Forecast shows a five-day forecast map, the names of currently flowering plants, and cross-allergy clues.

Photo source: Allergy Forecast website

The Allergotop website, created by practicing allergists and employees of the Faculty of Biology of Moscow State University, will show the comfort of the environment for allergy sufferers from Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar , Perm, Ryazan, Stavropol and Tyumen.

Cross-allergy

Seasonal allergies are often associated with food allergies, which in turn may be persistent or only appear when active dusting begins. Therefore, at this time it is better to follow a hypoallergenic diet, that is, exclude from the diet foods that can aggravate allergic reactions. This table will help you adjust your daily menu.

Table of the combination of pollen and food allergies

How to calculate hay fever

There is an interesting method for calculating hay fever from the sum of effective temperatures.Measures to limit contact with pollen should be started as soon as the temperature first rises to + 5 ° C, and the probable flowering times are calculated from the sum of effective temperatures (t ° effective = t ° average daily -5 ° C). For birch to bloom, the sum of effective temperatures must reach 70 ° C.

Blossoming hazelnut – hazelnut

Prevention of hay fever

• If possible, it is worth leaving for another climatic zone during the flowering period.
• But going out of town is categorically not recommended: there the allergy is likely to only intensify.
• It is better to ventilate the room in damp calm weather.
• After coming from the street, it is better to take a shower.
• During an exacerbation, it is recommended to rinse your eyes and gargle several times a day.

Frequent washing reduces discomfort during flowering plants

The latest methods of allergy treatment

Autolymphocytotherapy

This method is also called plasmapheresis. To put it simply, it is taking blood from a patient, purifying it of toxic components and returning it back to the bloodstream.That is, the patient is injected intravenously with his own blood lymphocytes, previously processed by a certain method.

Lymphocytes retain all surface receptors that carry information about the early encountered allergens. And with further introduction of them, the patient develops immunity to these substances. Plasmapheresis, as it were, adapts the body to a meeting with an allergen. And as a result, an immunity to substances that previously provoked nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, skin rashes and other manifestations of allergies is formed.

The method of plasmapheresis will help to develop immunity to allergens

Specific immunotherapy

Specific immunotherapy is considered one of the most effective methods of prevention. It should be started a few months before flowering. The patient is diagnosed with an allergen (for example, birch pollen) and injected with certain doses of drugs, which are based on the culprit of the disease. Gradually, the body gets used to the drug, the allergic person develops immunity, and during the flowering season he does not sneeze or cough, or the disease is mild.After three to four years of regular treatment, the susceptibility to allergies is minimized. It is believed that after three to five procedures, the patient will feel a significant decrease in allergic manifestations.

Birch earrings are the enemy of Russians sensitive to the pollen of this tree

Acupuncture

Another method that came to us from the East (from Ancient China) is acupuncture, in other words, acupuncture. On the skin, needles irritate biologically active points associated with various internal organs or body systems.By introducing needles at certain points, you can relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eyes, and improve local blood circulation.

And injections also force the body to produce endorphins – hormones of joy, so a person does not feel pain. The course of treatment is 10 sessions. It is better to do them every day, as a last resort – every other day. The effect of one session lasts a day, but in the complex of 10 sessions they give such an improvement in well-being that some patients cannot be dragged into a fixing course later.

Acupuncture relieves allergic edema and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy belongs to the same group of effects.It is contraindicated in the acute period of allergy, but it is irreplaceable in the recovery period and during remission. Most often, methods such as darsonvalization are used – the effect on the human body with an alternating impulse current of high voltage and low strength. Electrophoresis is the injection of drugs with the help of a current under the skin, and sometimes halotherapy – “salt cave” is indicated.

Physiotherapy is another good way to reduce allergic edema

Effectiveness of allergy treatments

Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to completely recover from allergies, but following simple rules can significantly improve the quality of life.If you did not have time to prepare in advance for the flowering season or you have an allergy for the first time, then follow a diet, take antihistamines, try to avoid contact with the allergen. Get rid of carpets, keep windows and doors closed. If possible, install a special air intake on the window with an anti-allergenic filter. But it is easier, of course, to prevent the disease than to cure it. Be healthy!

Olesya Seregina

Pollen allergy and flowering calendar

10.09.2020

Pollinosis is an allergic disease caused by pollen (from the Latin pollen – pollen). Sometimes you can find such names as hay fever, spring catarrh, seasonal rhinitis, pollen asthma, etc.

Its characteristic manifestations – seasonal allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, seasonal bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis. In simple terms, allergic rhinitis manifests itself as severe itching and tickling in the nose, watery nasal discharge, paroxysmal sneezing and nasal congestion, rarely – a decrease in the sense of smell.Children may experience tinnitus and ear pain. Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by itching in the eyes, lacrimation, redness of the eyes, a feeling of “sand” in the eyes, swelling of the conjunctiva (mucous membrane of the eyes), but without purulent discharge.

Typical asthma attacks (seasonal bronchial asthma) are possible in 20% of cases. Skin manifestations are possible, typically on exposed parts of the body; often they are regarded by doctors as photodermatosis (skin reaction to the sun). Perhaps the development of urticaria, angioedema Quincke, seasonal pollen dermatitis with severe itching and various rashes.
Sometimes hay fever is accompanied by headache, fatigue, sweating, irritability, tearfulness, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance. Less common are chills, fever, damage to other organs and systems.

The most typical sign of hay fever is seasonality, the coincidence of manifestations with the flowering period of certain plants. In this case, the symptoms are repeated at about the same time every year, but since the flowering time is slightly shifted in different years due to weather differences, the timing of the manifestations of hay fever also changes.However, consideration should be given to the possibility of polyvalent pollen allergy (i.e. allergy to pollen from different plants), as well as the possibility of food allergy due to cross-reactions (for example, nuts in case of allergy to pollen from deciduous trees and shrubs). With allergies to molds, the phenomenon of hay fever can be observed all warm seasons. But most often, hay fever lasts no more than 4 weeks a year.

Prevalence

Pollinosis is common in people of all ages and genders, but it is more common in children over the age of 6.The number of patients worldwide doubles every 10 years. Pollinosis is not always diagnosed, therefore the official data on its prevalence are underestimated by about 10 times. Pollinosis does not go away with age.

Plants

About 60 plants play the main role in the development of hay fever. Knowing the approximate timing of their flowering in a given area facilitates the diagnosis of the “culprit” factor. Cross-reactions to related plants are possible (timothy – hedgehog, alder – hazel – birch). Usually, there are three periods of increase in the concentration of pollen in the air: spring, associated with flowering trees (sometimes even the expression “wood hay fever” is found), summer (meadow grasses) and autumn (weeds).Of primary importance are wind-pollinated plants, the pollen of which is emitted in huge quantities and is easily carried by the wind. Its dimensions are from 10 to 50 microns, and the enzymes contained in it facilitate penetration through the mucous membrane of the eyes and nose. In addition, mold spores can grow on pollen grains, which can also cause symptoms. If hay fever is caused by fungal spores, symptoms may continue throughout the warm season.

The causal factor of pollinosis depends on the climatic zone, the characteristics of the local flora.So, in Kazakhstan it is most often pollen of wormwood and ragweed, and in Russia – birch, hazel and meadow grasses. The flowering calendar of plants also depends on weather conditions. Symptoms are more pronounced on warm sunny days and strong winds.
It is possible to suspect the presence of hay fever by analyzing the coincidence in time of symptoms with the flowering calendar, and to confirm it, an allergic examination is carried out using skin tests (outside the flowering season) and an analysis for the presence of antibodies to this allergen in the blood serum (RAST – radioallergosorbent test, etc.).).

In urban dwellers, hay fever occurs 6 times more often than in rural residents. This is due to the influence of air pollution: under the influence of substances such as sulfur dioxide, ozone and nitrogen oxides, as well as acidic aerosols, pollen grains are damaged and new allergens emerge on their surface.

Flowering and sporulation calendar

On the territory of the European part of Russia, the blooming season is opened by gray alder (in Moscow, on average, April 16).There is an interesting method for calculating hay fever from the sum of effective temperatures. Measures to limit contact with pollen should be started as soon as the temperature first rises to + 5 ° C, and the probable flowering times are calculated from the sum of effective temperatures (t ° effective = t ° average daily –5 ° C). For birch to bloom, the sum of effective temperatures must reach 70 ° C.

Foods that should not be consumed in case of hay fever

K pollen of trees
Nuts (especially hazelnuts), apples, cherries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, carrots, parsley, celery, tomatoes (tomatoes), kiwi, potatoes, birch sap.

K pollen of cereal grasses
Bread, bakery products, bread kvass, flour products, semolina, bran, cereal sprouts, bread crumbs, ice cream, sherbet, puddings, dumplings, pancakes, rolled oats and cereals (oats, wheat, barley, etc.), corn , sorghum, sausages, coffee substitutes, malt, beer, wheat vodka, sorrel.

K weed pollen
Melon, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, halva, mayonnaise, watermelon, zucchini, eggplant, mustard, spinach, beets, absinthe, vermouth, lettuce, Jerusalem artichoke, chicory, citrus fruits, honey.

To fungi
Yeast dough, sauerkraut, beer, kvass, cheeses, wines, liqueurs, sugar, fructose, sorbitol, xylitol, and other products that undergo fermentation during cooking.

Relative plants within families (hay fever)

Birch
Birch, hornbeam, alder, hazel.

Plane
Platan

Beech
Beech, chestnut, oak.

Cereals
Soft wheat, sowing rice, sowing rye, corn, sowing millet, sorghum, barley, sowing oats, bluegrass, timothy grass, fescue, wheatgrass, foxtail, bonfire, feather grass, bamboo, reed.

Haze
Mary, quinoa, hodgepodge, beets, spinach, cochia.

Composite
Sunflower, ragweed, lettuce, bitter wormwood, cornflower, thistle, calendula, aster, Jerusalem artichoke, succession, dahlias, zinnia, rudbeckia, marigolds, daisy, yarrow, chamomile, tansy, tarragon (tarragon), chrysanthemum, arveyssil, coltsfoot, calendula, marigolds, artichoke, burdock, chicory, dandelion, butterbur, milk thistle, leuzea.

Plantain
Plantain

Danger in the air. How do you know if you are allergic to pollen? | TIPS | HEALTH

In early May, many people notice yellow dust in the air. It settles on window sills in apartments and covers cars with a raid. This is the pollen of trees blooming in spring.

There are people who will tolerate the flowering of plants in a special way – these are allergy sufferers. At the same time, not everyone knows that they suffer from hay fever. Why? Because seasonal allergies are often confused with the common cold.

The head of the department of hygiene of children and adolescents of the Federal Center for Medical Preventive Technologies for Managing Public Health Risks told about how to understand that you have hay fever and not a cold, what to do in this case and how to treat seasonal allergies. , Ph.D. Svetlana Valina .

Be healthy!

Pollinosis can occur in spring, summer and autumn. In April-May, allergy sufferers react to the flowering of birch, alder, maple, hazel, in June-July – cereal grasses, in August-September – weeds.Moreover, an allergic reaction can occur not only in one period, but, for example, in spring and summer.

“The peak incidence of hay fever falls on a fairly wide age group – from 10 to 40 years. Seasonal allergies are less common in those younger and older. And yet, we are already registering individual cases of hay fever in four-year-old children, – explained Svetlana Valina. – This is due to the deterioration of the environmental situation, air pollution with chemicals. They increase the allergenicity of pollen, increase the cycle of its viability, increase the susceptibility of the respiratory tract to allergens. “

Those who know they are susceptible to seasonal allergies take precautions. However, many encounter it for the first time and confuse it with the common cold. Svetlana Valina says that it is really easy to confuse. However, there are signs that can be alarming. In 95% of cases, seasonal allergies manifest themselves in the same way. It is characterized by redness and pain in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation, itching of the palate and in the ears, sore throat, coughing, sneezing several times in a row, nasal congestion, watery, colorless discharge from the nose.All this is against the background of the absence of increased body temperature. With hay fever, an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, urticaria and even Quincke’s edema is possible.

Points and Diet

If you are faced with similar symptoms for the first time, but especially – if they appear at the same time of the year not for the first time, then you should go to an allergist. The doctor will prescribe special tests to help you understand the nature of the disease and identify allergens to which your body reacts.

“In spring and summer, when everything is in bloom, blood is taken for analysis to determine allergen-specific immunoglobulins. This helps to identify the active allergen, – explained Svetlana Valina. – There is another method – skin tests, but they are done outside the flowering season – in winter or late autumn. When the allergen is understood, treatment is prescribed. It always includes anti-inflammatory, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor drugs, sorbents. Those who know about their diagnosis are preparing in advance, starting treatment in winter. “

Some nonspecific preventive measures will also help alleviate the condition with hay fever. It should be remembered that the concentration of pollen is especially high in the morning and in dry, windy weather. Therefore, during such a period, if possible, it is better not to leave the house early in the morning. On the street, it is advisable to wear sunglasses and a hat, after a walk to take a shower and change clothes. Also, during the period of dusting plants, it is necessary to regularly do wet cleaning.

I advise you to take care of proper nutrition, as there is such a phenomenon as cross-allergy.The use of some vegetables, fruits, cereals can intensify its manifestations, says Svetlana Valina. – Depending on when you have an allergic reaction, it is worth avoiding certain foods. If in April-May, it is better to exclude apples, raw carrots, stone fruits (cherries, cherries, peaches, etc.), nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes) from the diet. In June-July – to limit the use of bakery products, bran, cereals, beer, kvass, coffee substitutes, sausages. In August-September – melons (melons, watermelons), zucchini, eggplants, sunflower seeds, halva, citrus fruits, honey, and from alcoholic beverages – vermouth. “

So,

1. Pollinosis can occur from May to September, depending on which plants the body reacts to flowering.
2. From colds with pronounced seasonality, lack of temperature, watery nasal discharge.
3. To determine the type of allergen, blood tests are taken during the flowering season, skin tests – out of season – in autumn and winter.
4. During flowering, allergy sufferers are advised to wear sun glasses, hats, take showers, change clothes after going outside, and often do wet cleaning at home.
5. Depending on the allergen to which the body reacts negatively, doctors advise to maintain a diet, as some foods can exacerbate the manifestations of the disease.

What triggers allergies in July?

Views
356

Allergies in July are quite common. In late spring and summer, pollen clouds appear in the air, which primarily affect the respiratory system. When the sun is shining outside the window and the temperature gets higher, everyone plans a vacation or an outing on the weekend.However, the rest can spoil the unpleasant symptoms of allergies, so you should find out in advance what will be pollinated in the blooming month of the year and try to take all the necessary measures. What provokes allergies in July, DOMOVEY will tell.

Molds

In July, the concentration of fungal spores in the air can be higher than that of plant pollen. The high temperature, especially when combined with moist soil, creates ideal conditions for the development of spores of microscopic fungi, which are very common causes of allergies.

Nettle

During this period, nettle can still cause allergies. The period of pollination of this plant lasts until October, but in summer its effect is especially intense. People who are allergic to these harmful and at the same time valuable herbs are advised to regularly drink nettle infusion. This plant not only strengthens the body (including hair), but also immunizes it from pollen. Thanks to such prevention, pollination in July will be less painful for an allergic person.

Herbs

One of the most common allergens is herbs that haunt the summer. Grass allergy in July is already less intense than in spring and late June, but the likelihood of sensitization is still high until the middle of the month. Grass pollen causes hay fever and atopic bronchial asthma.

Linden

Despite the fact that these are beautiful trees that smell wonderful during the flowering period, allergy sufferers will not appreciate their value.Linden causes reactions in people who are allergic to their pollen for an entire month, causing hay fever, conjunctivitis, and hives. It is also difficult to avoid its impact, since the concentration of linden pollen remains at a high level in most of the areas where it grows.

Sorrel and plantain

Sorrel and plantain should also be included in the pollination calendar for July. Sensitization to their pollen lasts quite a long time – until mid-September, but the number of people allergic to it is small.There is also a small concentration of their pollen in the air, so most people do not experience any allergy symptoms in this case.

Wormwood

Wormwood can cause unpleasant allergy symptoms in the second half of the month, since pollination starts relatively late in July. The concentration of wormwood allergens increases at the end of the month, and then allergy symptoms are most noticeable. As with other allergens in July, there will be mostly hay fever, but there may be other respiratory problems, including coughing.

HOME recommends: What triggers allergies in June?

How to protect yourself from pollen in July ?

Allergies in July can be very annoying and can ruin an allergic person’s vacation, so it is worth looking for remedies that will help combat their symptoms. Pollen traditionally affects primarily the respiratory system. Rarely causes skin allergies.

This means, first of all, problems with the respiratory system, so it is worth buying a good nasal spray that helps in the case of allergic rhinitis, for example, with ectoine, a protein produced by microorganisms living in difficult conditions.The substance effectively protects cells from allergens, moisturizes the nasal mucosa and supports its regeneration (for example, EctoAlerg nasal spray or Ektin or Alectoin eye drops, which relieve redness and reduce tears in the eyes).

People with allergy symptoms should plan their holidays especially well: choose a place and time when the pollen concentration is lowest, and it is best to go for a walk right after the rain. The best solution for pollen allergy sufferers in July is a trip to the sea or lake in places where the weather does not threaten with sudden anomalies.In the mountains, the concentration of pollen in the air is low only above 1000-2000 meters above sea level. The bottom is the same as in the low-lying areas.

In order not to spoil the vacation, those who go on vacation to warmer regions should also test themselves for allergies to the sun.

HOME recommends: Sun allergies: symptoms, types, treatment and prevention

Posting of site materials is allowed only with an active hyperlink http: // domovei.com /

0
0
vote

Article rating

METEONOVA – Prediction of allergy to pollen and flowering in St. Petersburg

Pollen allergy, hay fever: is the prognosis possible?

Pollen allergy, or hay fever, is a widespread disease associated with the reaction of the human immune system to the pollen of certain plant species, and usually manifests itself in the form of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, allergic cough or even asthma.

Manifestations of hay fever are strictly confined to the flowering of a certain type of plants, to which a person has an allergic reaction. Such exacerbations occur at approximately the same time every year, but, due to the influence of weather conditions, it is possible that the start and end dates, as well as the flowering intensity, may shift for periods from 7 to 14 days due to changes in climatic and weather factors. Therefore, for allergy sufferers, it is very important to quickly assess the flowering of allergenic plants, as well as to predict the intensity of dusting (periods of maximum pollen emission).

What weather factors influence the concentration of allergens in the air? Let’s list the main ones:

1. Sum of effective temperatures. This criterion characterizes the phase of plant development and, as it were, the indication of its biological clock. The development of any plant is associated with the amount of heat that it receives from the sun. At certain phases, different phenological events occur: greening, flowering, fruit ripening, wilting. The only important phase for people suffering from hay fever is the flowering phase, and the associated phase of maximum dusting of allergenic plants.
2. Rain. Heavy rain can completely wash the pollen out of the air and clear the atmosphere for about a day. Light rain will reduce the concentration of pollen in the air.
3. Wind. Almost all allergenic plants are wind-pollinated. When the weather is calm, the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere decreases, and when the wind increases, it increases.
4. The nature of the weather. In clear weather, flowering usually intensifies, in cloudy weather it decreases.
5. Air temperature. With a strong drop in temperature in the morning hours, flowering of plants is inhibited.

The forecast of the listed factors makes it possible to assess the phase of development of allergenic plants and to determine the degree of pollen impact on the body of people suffering from hay fever.

Limitations

The method used in the forecast is an estimate. We do not measure the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere. The flowering and dusting phases were obtained solely on the basis of the forecast of the sum of effective temperatures.The phase is determined approximately, the actual concentrations depend on many factors:

1. Number of flowering plants to which there is an allergic reaction
2. Number and duration of frosts and low temperatures in spring
3. Pre-flowering precipitation amount and frequency
4. Plants arrangement: southern slopes of hills and ravines receive more heat, and flowering occurs there earlier, on northern ones, respectively, later and lasts longer
5. Accuracy of the weather model for calculating the sum of effective temperatures, as well as other meteorological parameters affecting the growth and development of plants

Warning

The proposed forecast is only an approximate estimate of the concentration of pollen in the atmosphere and the possible effect of weather conditions on the intensity of dusting of allergenic plants.The forecast is intended for advisory use only and only as an additional tool. The developers are not responsible for possible complications of allergic reactions or death of patients due to the use of the data provided on this page. In case of exacerbation of allergic reactions, consult a doctor immediately!

90,000 The season of pollen allergy began in the Nizhny Novgorod region July 14, 2020

Currently, 30-40% of allergy sufferers suffer from pollen.July is the time of the spread of seasonal allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and pollen bronchial asthma. Specialists of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital monitor the dusting of allergenic plants in the region.

Doctors publish information on the qualitative and quantitative content of pollen in the air, as well as recommendations for patients: how to adjust drug therapy, plan a daily routine and travel for the near future, suggest a causal allergen, stock up on anti-allergic drugs.

By mid-July in Nizhny Novgorod began the season of dusting linden, they continue to produce cereals, nettles, sorrel, plantain; the season of dusting near firs and pines is over. At the same time, the pollen of alder, hazel, poplar, willow, birch, elm, ash, maple, oak, haze, wormwood, ragweed were not found in the air.

The dusting season of allergenic plants continues. The total content of plant pollen and fungal spores in the air is high. The season of sporulation of microscopic fungi of the genus Cladosporium and Alternaria also continues, the concentration of fungal spores increases significantly after rains.

On the Gismeteo website, you can monitor information on the concentration of pollen in different regions, depending on the time of day.

Nizhny Novgorod residents who suffer from hay fever (in the form of a runny nose, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, etc.) and are sensitive to this group of allergens are advised not to go to the suburban area, to parks where the dusting of plants is more violent.

Those who are already worried about symptoms of hay fever (itchy eyelids, watery eyes, sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing) should take antihistamines and use other medications (eye drops, nasal sprays, etc.).on the recommendation of an allergist.

It is also important to remember to follow the hypoallergenic diet . If you are allergic to tree pollen, it is recommended to exclude honey, herbal remedies, nuts, stone fruits (especially apples), carrots, parsley, celery from the diet. If you are allergic to cereal grasses, it is recommended to exclude the following products from the diet: bread, bakery products, bread kvass, flour products, rolled oats, oatmeal, coffee, cocoa, smoked sausage.

In case of allergy to pollen of Asteraceae (wormwood, quinoa, ragweed), it is recommended to exclude the following products: melon, watermelon, citrus fruits, seeds, halva, sunflower oil, mayonnaise, mustard.zucchini, eggplant., honey, chicory, tea with aromatic additives (wormwood leaves, yarrow, chamomile), and also exclude the use of the following medicinal plants: wormwood, chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot, elecampane, string, yarrow, tansy, plantain, etc.

In case of allergy to mold fungi, it is recommended to exclude the following products from the diet: yeast dough, sauerkraut, kvass, cheese, kefir, sugar, fructose, sorbitol, xylitol, dried fruits, other products fermented during the cooking period, grapes , grape juice, pickles and tomatoes; peel all fruits.

Earlier, the site “Nizhegorodskaya Pravda” talked about common myths about allergies.

Allergy that begins to bloom in early July. Allergy in July

Grass bloom allergy worsens in August

The end of summer for many people is a period of freedom. At this time, the heat is no longer so strong, you can enjoy the summer days to your heart’s content. However, some people want to erase this period from their lives. And the reason for this is the allergy in August.It was at this time that many plants bloom, which cause an exacerbation of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma in an allergic person. Therefore, the beginning of August requires special preparation for people suffering from hay fever.

What can cause allergies?

Allergy in August from ragweed flowering

The beginning of August is the period when seasonal allergies begin in people who are sensitive to various irritants. At this time, the air is especially filled with aeroallergens.They spread in the form of pollen even over long distances, affecting the respiratory system. When an irritant enters the body, it firmly settles on the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. There is a local reaction in the form of inflammation.
Light volatile substances, grass and tree pollen, can travel tens of kilometers. Sometimes it may seem to a person that some plants and flowers are not observed in the place of his location. However, they can affect sensitive people even over long distances.
Seasonal allergies are mainly caused by non-tree blooms. In August, weed and meadow grasses often bloom. Often allergies occur when pollen is excreted:

Nettle and ragweed are among the most powerful allergens in the August period. They emit large amounts of pollen grains.
In addition, allergies in August can be caused by mold spores. They grow on the leaves of trees. The irritant can also enter the body through the respiratory tract.
It is worth knowing that pollen and spores can affect the body in different ways. On a rainy day, allergy sufferers will breathe easier, as their concentration in the air will be reduced. In clear sunny weather, the degree of allergenicity increases.

How does August allergy manifest itself?

Swelling of the eyelids with allergies in August

Allergy in August causes a serious blow to the human body. Its course is complicated by the fact that it is not always possible to identify one stimulus. This fact can make it difficult to treat a person.
In the first stage of allergy, the respiratory system is affected. Human can sense:

nasal congestion;

frequent sneezing attacks;

appearance of mucous nasal discharge;

• sore throat;

  headache;

  deterioration of the breathing process.

Dyspnea in case of allergy to grass blossom in August

With pollinosis, the eyes are damaged. During this period, there is increased tearing, itching and swelling of the eyelids.
Some allergy sufferers may experience asthma attacks. Breathing becomes difficult, shortness of breath appears. In allergology, these symptoms are called pollen asthma.
Allergy symptoms also appear on the skin. A rash, redness, itching of the skin, accompanied by swelling, may form. The work of the heart and blood vessels is affected in the form of myocarditis, an increase in blood pressure.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract organs are not uncommon. May appear:

In the presence of disorders in the urinary system, signs of cystitis may worsen, there may be difficulty in the outflow of urine or frequent urination.
During this period, an allergic person may feel very bad. Fatigue, irritability, and body temperature increase. A person can lose a lot of weight. Due to the violation of the general condition, people often fall into depression. In order to prevent such complications, it is necessary to start treatment on time.

How to deal with allergy symptoms?

If an allergic reaction occurs at the end of summer, it is important to see a doctor in time. After all, this type of allergy requires constant intake of drugs, which is prescribed by an allergist, prescribing treatment.

It is mandatory to take antihistamines Loratadine, Cetirizine, Clematine, Suprastin, Ebastin, Fexofenadine. They are most commonly used in the treatment of allergies in August.

As hormonal agents, you can use drops or sprays of Budesonide, Fluticasone, Beclomethasone.

Symptomatic treatment can be carried out with Ipratropium bromide, Xylometazoline, Ephedrine.

Immunotherapy is often recommended for people with seasonal allergies.During it, the patient is injected in small doses of allergens, while developing the body’s tolerance to them. However, this method is costly and time consuming.

Treatment should be carried out only with the observance of precautionary rules. A person needs to limit the time spent on the street, keep the windows closed. It is recommended that you shower after being outdoors and wash your shoes to remove allergens from your skin and clothing. The air in the room must be cleaned. Sunglasses can be used to protect your eyes.It is also worth switching to hypoallergenic cosmetics without the addition of herbs and plants. Then seasonal allergies can be more easily tolerated.

Unfortunately, at the end of summer, many people begin to show signs of hay fever. This is due to the flowering of weeds belonging to the family of Asteraceae and haze. After reading today’s article, you will find out what is allergic to in August and what to do at the first signs of the disease.

Main Symptoms

Unfortunately, many people with no previous allergic reactions often confuse hay fever with the common cold.To prevent this from happening, you need to see a doctor at the first sign. Otherwise, it is very likely that the allergy will become chronic, and then it will be much more difficult to cope with it.

This disease is usually accompanied by dermatitis, rhinitis, edema and itching of the skin. Many patients experience increased lacrimation and redness of the eyes. Also, the characteristic signs by which this disease can be recognized include cough, body aches, headaches, insomnia, and increased fatigue.

In severe cases, allergies in August (what it happens to, you will find out a little later) is accompanied by shortness of breath, redness of the skin, rash and even suffocation. The patient may also have a high fever, nasal congestion, and conjunctivitis.

What plants most often provoke this problem?

To understand what can cause allergies, it is enough just to carefully study the flowering calendar of plants. Throughout the last summer month, an increased concentration of wormwood, nettle and ragweed pollen is present in the air.The latter is quite common in our area, therefore, most of the people prone to hay fever suffer from it.

This is not all that blooms in August. Allergies during this period can be caused by pollen of plantain, calendula, tansy, bluegrass and immortelle. A similar reaction can occur after consuming certain fruits and herbs.

In addition, they can appear due to the activation of microorganisms that actively develop in mold and fungi.Such microparticles are carried over very long distances and are irritating to the respiratory tract. Also, an allergy at the end of August can manifest itself on some garden and house plants. Including asters, daisies and chrysanthemums.

How to deal with the problem?

K must be started immediately, without waiting for the end of the flowering season. Otherwise, the risk increases that a harmless rhinitis will eventually develop into bronchial asthma.

For those who know firsthand what an allergy is in August, the first step is to minimize contact with fungal spores and pollen.In addition, several general recommendations should be followed to make it easier to get through this difficult period.

Many experts advise to hang several layers of gauze on the window openings and constantly moisten it with plain water. To go out for a walk, it is better to choose the evening hours. You can also go outside after rain. It is at this time that the concentration of substances that cause an allergic reaction in the air significantly decreases.

People suffering from hay fever are advised to travel to countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece during this entire period.You can also wait out the dangerous bloom period at ski resorts. Those who do not have this opportunity need to consume plenty of fluids and systematically rinse the nasal cavity with salted water.

Medication

People who have severe allergies in August should definitely see a doctor. He will prescribe drugs to get rid of seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis, and absorbents to remove accumulated toxins from the body.

A professional immunologist can prescribe antihistamines (Tavegil, Suprastin, Tsetrin, Gistan, etc.)etc.). These medicines effectively fight hay fever. However, after the end of their intake, the signs of the disease may return again. It is advisable to start such treatment two weeks before flowering.

Also, those who have allergies in August are often prescribed hormonal drugs (most often the latest generation drug “Kestin” is used today). Usually they are used in cases where the use of other methods did not give the desired result. In addition to medication, your doctor may recommend a specific diet.It is individually tailored to help eliminate all foods that can cause cross-allergic reactions.

Preventive measures

Allergy in early August or any other month develops due to reduced immunity. Therefore, it is very important to constantly monitor your own health.

If possible, it is advisable to lead a correct lifestyle. It is important to sleep at least eight hours a day and not overload the nervous system. The diet should contain a variety of healthy foods that help strengthen the immune system.For people prone to allergies, it is recommended to include in their menu buckwheat and oatmeal, cooked without adding milk. Sprouted wheat has a beneficial effect on the body.

Also, for the prevention of allergies, it is advisable to take warm baths with decoctions of medicinal herbs. To enhance the effect, it is better to do this before going to bed.

Conclusion

From the above, we can conclude that pollen allergy, or hay fever, is a fairly common disease.As a rule, it manifests itself against the background of a weakened immune system. If left untreated, it can unsettle a person for a long time.

Paradoxical as it may seem, but the development of hay fever is provoked not by plants with bright beautiful flowers, but by nondescript wind-pollinated specimens. In our latitudes, the most common allergens include weeds, grains and deciduous trees.

Cross-reaction to food is another major problem.Therefore, in order not to aggravate an already quite serious problem, at the first signs of hay fever, you need to contact a specialist.

July is a seemingly great time of the year! Live and be happy. But some people develop seasonal allergies at the end of July. Let’s figure out what happens in July.

What is hay fever

Seasonal allergy (another name for hay fever) is a condition when every year a person is ill at a particular time of the year, and the cause of poor health is the pollen of some plants.Many plants bloom during the summer.

Plant pollen, getting on the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, causes a very strong allergy

The main problems are brought by pollen from nettle, wormwood, ash pan, quinoa, ragweed, plantain. The pollen of these plants, getting on the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, causes a very strong allergy, accompanied by lacrimation, skin rashes, itching. Often a person does not know what exactly he is allergic to, although it regularly appears at the same time in the summer.It lasts for about a month and goes away. It all depends on the weather conditions. In dry, windy weather, pollen from plants that cause allergies spreads over several hundred kilometers. Pollen enters dwellings even through narrow and microscopic slits. Rains wash it away, nailed it to the ground, lowering the concentration of pollen in the air. Thus, allergy sufferers experience significant relief in rainy weather.

How to deal with hay fever

If you are allergic to grass flowering and you clearly know at what time the condition will worsen, you should visit a doctor a month before.2-3 weeks before the allergy, start taking antihistamines prescribed by a specialist, which actually reduce the effect of allergens. The effect of taking these drugs appears just 2 weeks after you start taking them.

The essence of allergy is that ordinary ordinary irritants are perceived by the immune system as a danger. Some believe that the immune system is weakened, and begin to take medications to strengthen the immune system. But such drugs dramatically increase allergy symptoms.Therefore, any immunostimulants are contraindicated for people with allergies.

In Russia, some doctors claim that allergies are a sign of a weakened immune system. But in China, they believe quite the opposite, that this is a manifestation of strong immunity, and they approach this problem from the other side.

For example, there are 100 people. In 99 of them, the immune system did not react in any way to the ragweed pollen, did not notice it, and in the hundredth it did. The question arises: is his immunity strong or weak? Rather strong.

When a person has such an active immunity, he must be loaded from birth. There should be some kind of animals in the house, there should not be perfect cleanliness, then such a child does not develop allergies.

Essentially, an allergy is a lack of contact with microbes. If a person lives in an apartment where everything is cleaned, sterile, disinfectants are used, the concentration of microbes decreases. If there are not enough microbes, the body begins to perceive pollen, for example, ragweed, as microbes.This is not a call to live in mud, but everything is good in moderation.

If a person suffers from seasonal allergies, this is for life, and you need to learn to live with it.

Very rarely there are cases in women that after pregnancy, childbirth, due to hormonal changes, the allergy suddenly disappears.

Modern medicine does not know how to get rid of allergies forever, but it can help make life easier for such patients. Therefore, if you are allergic, do not delay visiting an allergist.

How to recognize an allergy, how to distinguish it from a common acute respiratory disease? Their external symptoms are very similar. But there are significant differences. First of all, this is the absence of elevated temperature. Also, the absence of a source of infection, that is, your loved ones are all healthy, no one has a runny nose, swollen nose, sore eyes, and only you suffer from this. If the symptoms appear and disappear, for example, they were on the street – there was a runny nose, came home – the runny nose disappeared, there is every reason to think about allergies.Viruses don’t behave like that.

Is it possible to relieve my condition without medication? You can, if you adhere to some rules.

First of all, you need to understand what the allergy is from. During the flowering season of plants that cause allergies, you should behave as follows. Coming home from the street, immediately take a shower to wash off the pollen of the plants. Rinse, rinse nose with saline solution. Be sure to change your clothes right away. There must be a door between the hallway and the room in which you live, so as not to carry pollen throughout the apartment.Keep all windows and doors closed, have an air conditioner in the room. The living room should be free of carpets, soft toys, cushions – anything that can accumulate pollen. You also need to always have drugs on hand that will relieve your condition if it suddenly gets worse.

If hay fever is not treated, then in 40% of cases it can result in asthma. They are not born with him, he appears in the process of life. How to protect yourself from it, is there any kind of prevention? The tendency to allergic reactions is transmitted genetically.

If there is a person with seasonal allergies in the family, the following preventive measures should be taken for children:

1. Maintain mucous membranes in normal condition.
2. Use disinfectants in moderation, do not overuse cleanliness.
3. Maintain air parameters: it should be cool, with normal humidity, as allergens hover in dry warm air.
4. Do not overheat children, dress for the weather.
5. Have as little dust accumulators as possible in the children’s room (carpets, stuffed toys, etc.)etc.).

A person with a pollen allergy should avoid outdoor walks

Are there allergy vaccinations? These are not really vaccinations. Small doses of the allergen are introduced, 1-2 injections per week for 6 months. Such injections can only be given from school age. The result is not always positive, it does not always help and not everyone. Moreover, the allergen must be absolutely accurately identified first.

How to determine the allergen

In order to determine the allergen, skin tests are done.The advantages of such a study are: ease of execution, a small amount of time (only 15-20 minutes) and general availability. It allows you to calculate the allergen causing the reaction.

Skin test is the injection of a very small amount of various allergens into the skin. In accordance with the reaction of the body, the allergen that generates hay fever in a particular person is calculated. This examination can be done at any age. Skin tests are done on the back or forearm. The introduction of up to 25 allergens is permissible at a time.The skin is divided into sections, they are numbered, and a drop of different allergens is applied to each. The skin is scratched with a special tool at the site of application of the allergen. With a positive reaction to any allergen, redness, swelling, itching occur in the place of its application in a few minutes. Thus, they find out which allergen is the culprit of hay fever.

If suddenly in the middle of summer you feel unwell, watery eyes, swollen nose, reddened and itchy eyes, but you are in doubt if it is an allergy or a cold, visit an allergist to dispel or confirm your concerns.

In early summer, some people develop watery nasal discharge and sneeze constantly. Sometimes these symptoms are accompanied by attacks of suffocation, lacrimation, swelling of the eyelids, and sore throat. The listed signs are manifestations of hay fever, an allergic disease that causes plant pollen. The principle of treating such a pathology is to exclude contact with an allergen. Therefore, it is very important to know what may be allergic to in June.

How does a person get such an allergy

The main cause of pollinosis is pollen from wind-pollinated plants.The latter produce large quantities of pollen, and it is easily transported over long distances. Pollen grains are various particles that differ in size, shape and structure. They are not visible to the naked eye. These particles contain many proteins, upon contact with which a person is allergic to pollen.

An exacerbation of hay fever occurs when the amount of pollen in the air reaches certain threshold values. Weather conditions have a big impact.In windy and dry weather, especially when it is warm, the concentration of pollen particles in the air increases. During rain and high humidity, the amount of pollen decreases and the risk of allergic reactions decreases.

What plants may be allergic to

If an allergy started in June, then you need to know which plants are capable of causing a similar reaction. The answer to this question can be obtained from the dusting calendar. It is based on the analysis of air samples.In order to obtain such samples, specially designed traps are used. They capture all particles from the atmosphere, the concentration of which is found out later.

The dusting calendar has its own characteristics in different regions. In June, in the middle zone of the Northern Hemisphere, pollen of many plants can be in the air. These include:

• Flat-leaved linden,
• Scots pine,
• Norway spruce,
• Hedgehog combined,
• Timothy ordinary,
• Meadow fescue,
• Wheat grass,
• Common foxtail,
• Sumac is tannic.

How to avoid contact with plant pollen

If signs of hay fever appear, then it is important to find out what blooms in June in the region of human residence. Since there is pollen in the air, it will affect the patient every time he is out of the house. Signs of allergies also appear in closed rooms, because pollen particles can penetrate there through windows and doors. In order for the allergy to flowering to proceed more favorably, it is necessary to adhere to some recommendations.

If possible, it is best to leave for the climatic zone, where there will be a different dusting calendar. When planning a vacation, it is recommended to find out the timing of the flowering of plants in the area of ​​the resort where the person is going to rest. In the air in the mountains and on the coast, the concentration of pollen will always be lower. If you cannot leave your region during the period of dusting, then you should not leave the city during this period.

The concentration of pollen is highest in the early morning and on hot dry days.At this time, it is not recommended to go outside and open windows. After returning home, it is advisable to immediately change clothes. You can ventilate the premises immediately after rain, in the evening and when there is no wind.

During an exacerbation of hay fever, it is necessary to rinse the nasal cavity several times a day and gargle with saline sodium chloride solution. You can also use preparations based on sterilized seawater. It is important to wet clean the house every other day or every day, if possible.Do not dry your clothes outdoors as pollen can settle on your clothes.

People with an exacerbation of hay fever cannot be vaccinated, and routine operations are also prohibited. It is necessary to avoid heavy physical and psycho-emotional stress. It is also important to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet, its composition will depend on the type of allergy. Many patients keep a diary, in which they reflect the dates of onset and disappearance of symptoms, the severity of the manifestations of the disease and the treatment carried out.

In case of hay fever, observation by an allergist is recommended. It is best to consult a doctor about two weeks before the usual seasonal flare-up. The specialist will prescribe medications for prophylactic purposes. The intake of these drugs should be continued until the end of the period of pollination of plants, with which the development of allergic reactions is associated. If symptoms of the disease occur, a second consultation with an allergist is required to correct therapy and prescribe additional medications. With pronounced manifestations of hay fever, hospitalization may be required.

The concept of “allergy” was proposed back in 1906 and denoted the characteristics of changes in reactivity. Pirquet, who investigated this phenomenon, noticed that there are general and local reactions, with decreased and increased sensitivity.

The condition is periodically capable of turning into an exacerbation phase, which is especially often observed in summer. Since then, practically nothing has changed and the problem still does not lose its relevance.

Reasons

Allergen is the main cause.Depending on the nature and concentration of this substance, pathological changes in the body of varying severity occur. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is allergic to in June. Allergens found among:

• plant pollen
• weeds, cereal plants
• fruits, berries
• insects
• pheromones, fluff and animal hair

Summer is a dangerous period, as orchards and vegetable gardens abound in vegetables and fruits, berries ripen.

An allergy can occur to anything that blooms in June.
The ground is covered with grasses. You should beware of actively propagating weeds, cereals, especially ragweed, since it is these plants that have a powerful sensitizing effect.

Allergy in early June can be associated with many allergens of animal origin. They intensively accumulate in the air, penetrate through cracks, windows and doors into living quarters and rooms. In many animals, rutting is noted and the pheromones released at the same time can also cause increased reactivity.

Bites of ticks and mosquitoes pose a latent threat. flies, wasps, bees, hornets, bumblebees and other insects. Many people rest by the rivers and other bodies of water, burn fires. If there are allergy sufferers in the family, you need to be careful near the water, as duckweed, water lilies, reeds and other representatives of the aquatic fauna can be unsafe for health.

There may be snails and mollusks in the water, in the shell of which there are allergens. Even in seawater, representatives of the fauna can be found that can cause serious conditions.Contact with jellyfish can cause seizures, vomiting, suffocation in people prone to anaphylaxis.

The course of allergies in June is complicated by dry air, exposure to ultraviolet radiation. the addition of a bacterial and viral infection, which can cause unusual, difficult to differentiate symptoms.

Symptoms

The manifestations of allergies in the summer can be very diverse. Typical manifestations are cough, sore throat, burning eyes, lacrimation, runny nose, sneezing, edema of various localization.The following are atypical:

• sharp rise in temperature
• swelling and joint pain
• enlarged lymph nodes
• bright manifestation of veins and lymphatic vessels
• blisters on the skin
• soreness of the skin on palpation
• eczematous lesions of the skin and mucous membranes

Pathogenesis

Among the many allergens, pollen is considered the most active. This is due to the fact that they are easily carried by insects – pollinators and with the wind, they can settle on the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract.Most often, the pathogenesis develops as a hay fever or hay fever. The respiratory tract of a person is affected: the nasopharynx, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs, skin rash, eye damage develops.

The pathogenesis is based on the principle of hereditary – constitutional predisposition to allergic diseases.

In other words, there is a certain constitution called diathesis. This leads to the fact that the permeability of the histohematogenous barriers increases sharply, blood capillaries change, and the allergen easily penetrates into tissues and interstitial fluid.

The second mechanism is the high reactivity of the apparatus that produces antibodies, in particular immunoglobulin E. The whole process is complicated by the fact that human ICCs are capable of forming a complex complex with blood proteins and foreign proteins, which has a sensitizing and toxic effect.

All of the above features in combination create a predisposition in the patient. The most common symptoms are urticaria and allergic rhinitis. In one person, a reaction to only one allergen may be expressed, in another, multiple sensitization is observed.This is due to individual characteristics, which primarily have a genetic predisposition.

Prevention and treatment

Prevention consists in limiting contact with the allergen. It is impossible to completely eliminate it, however, it is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for the patient. The apartment is regularly wet cleaning, vacuuming. Clothes and bedding should be made of dense natural fabric. It is not recommended to keep animals in the house. This is especially true for aquarium fish.You need to undergo regular preventive examinations.

The method of specific hyposensitization is considered the main radical method of allergy treatment. It consists in the fact that at first the allergen that caused the disease is searched for and found in the patient. Then it is gradually administered to the patient subcutaneously. Such injections should be started with minimal concentrations, gradually increasing the dosage.

In the patient’s body, the defense mechanism is gradually activated and the disease passes.The treatment is long, but this is the only effective method of getting rid of the disease.
Antihistamines are used as a supportive agent. Sanatorium and spa rehabilitation can be appointed. Mountain resorts are shown. Resorts with humid sea air are not recommended.

In July, the pollen-filled air is akin to a gas attack and, if not fatal, brings noticeable discomfort. It is in July that the process of flowering of many plants is felt to the maximum.

If a person suffering from allergies still encounters an allergen, this event is difficult to endure without negative health consequences. The antigen that first entered the bloodstream provokes a reaction of the immune system, while the structure of the substance is recognized and remembered by special cells. In the form of a weapon against the allergen, antibodies corresponding to its structure are produced.

When an antigen comes into contact with the body in the future, it is attacked by antibodies prepared in advance by the body, a battle begins, the field of which is the body.The result of such an immune battle is the release of active substances, which is initiated by antigen-antibody complexes that irritate special cells. This is manifested in the release of excessive amounts of mucus from the glands, vasodilation, tissue edema.

What and how does an allergy appear in July?

In July, in the open air, a similar reaction is associated with pollen that enters the body when inhaled with air. These reactions are manifested in the nasal mucosa, bronchi, pharynx and eyes.A persistent runny nose begins, the person constantly sneezes, which is accompanied by difficulty breathing, uncontrollable discharge of copious watery mucus, coughing, choking attacks, symptoms of eye irritation and lacrimation. Allergy skin reactions in the form of edema, rashes, and excessive itching are also quite likely.

In July, the type and intensity of allergic reactions appear depending on the composition of the local flora and climatic zone. If we talk about a region of temperate climate, then in July there is a peak of flowering of cereals and meadow grasses, as well as pollination of a number of weeds begins.

Weather is even more important. When it is dry and warm, and even a strong wind is blowing, pollen in the form of microscopic particles is not only carried for hundreds of kilometers, it is still able to penetrate through the narrowest cracks and into dwellings. On the contrary, rains nail pollen to the ground and noticeably reduce its concentration in the air.

As for July specifically, foxtail, bluegrass, hedgehog, nettle, wormwood, rye, ragweed, plantain, fescue, quinoa, ash pan and a number of other plants deliver the main troubles for allergy sufferers during this period.

How to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the disease?

Allergy sufferers should know the basic principles, the implementation of which can significantly reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Before the beginning of the flowering season, you should start in advance with the prophylactic use of antihistamines. These drugs make it possible to significantly reduce the body’s sensitivity to the main initiator of the manifestation of symptoms of all allergic reactions, histamine.For this purpose, suprastin and other histamine receptor blockers. However, you should first take into account the likelihood of side effects of these funds. Their manifestations are possible in the form of a decrease in the reaction rate and drowsiness. This is important to keep in mind for drivers and other workers handling hazardous equipment. It is preferable for this category of allergy sufferers to use more modern drugs, such as telfast or claritin, which do not cause sedation.

Naturally, all possible methods should limit contact with the antigen. You should stay away from areas of abundant flowering of allergenic flora. It is quite possible to take a vacation for this time and spend it in an area where dangerous plants are not so common.

The room should be installed with nets or other protective devices that can trap pollen on the vents. Air purifiers will also help here. Frequent wet cleaning and airing, the use of air purifiers are required.

To reduce mucus secretion, swelling of the nasal mucosa, reduce lacrimation during exacerbation of allergic reactions, you can use eye and nasal drops that have a vasoconstrictor and antihistamine effect, which include galazolin, naphthyzin, sanorin, taking into account the body’s ability to get used to these drugs .