Why do adults suddenly develop allergies. How are seasonal and environmental allergies diagnosed. What are the most common adult-onset food allergies. Can food allergies disappear in adults. How can you manage allergy symptoms effectively.

Understanding the Sudden Onset of Allergies in Adults

Many people assume that allergies are a childhood condition, but the truth is that allergies can develop at any age. Dr. Rana Misiak, an allergist at Henry Ford Health, confirms that it’s not uncommon for adults to experience new allergies. This phenomenon, known as adult-onset allergies, can be both surprising and distressing for those affected.

Adult-onset allergies can manifest as seasonal allergies, environmental allergies, or food allergies. The sudden appearance of these allergic reactions can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, affecting work, school, and daily activities.

Why do adults suddenly develop allergies?

The exact reasons for adult-onset allergies are not always clear. However, several factors may contribute to their development:

• Changes in environment (e.g., moving to a new area with different allergens)
• Increased exposure to potential allergens (e.g., working from home and being exposed to dust mites)
• Introduction of new elements in one’s life (e.g., getting a pet and being exposed to pet dander)
• Changes in the immune system over time

It’s important to note that allergies can start and stop at any point during a person’s life, regardless of previous experiences with allergic reactions.

Identifying Common Allergens and Irritants

Understanding the various allergens and irritants that can trigger allergic reactions is crucial for managing adult-onset allergies effectively. Let’s explore the most common culprits:

Seasonal Allergens

Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, affect approximately 10-40% of Americans. These allergies are typically caused by:

• Grasses
• Pollen
• Trees
• Weeds

Environmental Allergens

For those experiencing allergy symptoms year-round, environmental allergens may be the cause. Common environmental allergens include:

• Dust
• Mold
• Pet dander

Irritants

It’s important to distinguish between allergens and irritants. While irritants can produce allergy-like reactions, they are not true allergens. Common irritants include:

• Perfumes or strong scents
• Chilly air
• Changes in weather
• Pollutants
• Smoke

Diagnosing Seasonal and Environmental Allergies in Adults

If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms that are impacting your quality of life, it’s essential to seek professional medical advice. An allergist or physician can help determine whether your symptoms are due to allergies or other conditions such as the flu or COVID-19.

How are seasonal and environmental allergies diagnosed?

Doctors typically use two main tests to diagnose seasonal and environmental allergies:

1. Scratch test: This involves scratching the skin of your arm or back with a small needle containing a specific allergen. If the skin becomes red or swollen after 15 to 20 minutes, it indicates a reaction to that allergen.
2. Blood test: This test analyzes a blood sample for the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies linked to specific allergens.

It’s worth noting that a negative allergy test doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not experiencing symptoms. Even with normal test results, you can work with your doctor to manage your exposure to potential triggers and resume activities you may have avoided due to fear of allergic reactions.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Adult-Onset Allergies

Managing adult-onset allergies often involves a combination of reducing exposure to allergens and using appropriate medications. Here are some effective strategies to consider:

Reducing Allergen Exposure

• Use a dehumidifier or AC to lower humidity and reduce dust mites in your home
• Plan outdoor activities when pollen counts are lower
• Use an air purifier to reduce pet dander
• Wash clothes and shower after being outside to remove allergens

Medication Options

If reducing exposure doesn’t provide sufficient relief, various medications can help manage allergy symptoms:

• Over-the-counter antihistamines (work within hours)
• Steroid nasal sprays (provide relief in a few days)
• Prescription allergy shots (help build immunity to specific allergens over time)

Allergy shots typically start with weekly doses and gradually decrease to monthly doses over a few years to maintain immunity. Your physician can help determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific needs.

Understanding Adult-Onset Food Allergies

Food allergies can also develop in adulthood, catching many people off guard. Unlike childhood food allergies that may be outgrown, adult-onset food allergies are typically lifelong conditions.

What are the most common adult-onset food allergies?

The most frequent adult-onset food allergies include:

• Fish and shellfish (e.g., shrimp and lobster)
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews)

What are the initial signs of a food allergy?

The first signs of a food allergy often include:

• Swelling of the lips and tongue
• Itchiness
• Hives

It’s crucial to be aware of these symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if you experience them after consuming food.

The Impact of Adult-Onset Allergies on Quality of Life

Developing allergies as an adult can significantly affect various aspects of daily life. From work performance to social interactions, the sudden onset of allergic reactions can be disruptive and challenging to manage.

How do adult-onset allergies affect daily activities?

Adult-onset allergies can impact:

• Work productivity due to symptoms like nasal congestion and fatigue
• Social activities, especially those involving potential allergens (e.g., outdoor events or dining out)
• Sleep quality, leading to daytime drowsiness and decreased cognitive function
• Emotional well-being, potentially causing stress or anxiety about potential allergic reactions

Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective management strategies and seeking appropriate medical care.

Navigating Life with Newly Developed Allergies

Adjusting to life with adult-onset allergies requires patience, education, and often lifestyle modifications. Here are some strategies to help you navigate this new reality:

How can you manage daily life with newly developed allergies?

1. Educate yourself: Learn about your specific allergies, their triggers, and potential cross-reactions.
2. Create an allergy action plan: Work with your doctor to develop a plan for managing symptoms and responding to severe reactions.
3. Modify your environment: Make necessary changes at home and work to reduce exposure to allergens.
4. Communicate with others: Inform friends, family, and colleagues about your allergies to ensure they can support you and help prevent accidental exposure.
5. Always be prepared: Carry necessary medications (e.g., antihistamines or epinephrine auto-injectors) with you at all times.

Remember, while adult-onset allergies can be challenging, they are manageable with the right approach and support.

The Future of Allergy Treatment and Research

As our understanding of allergies continues to grow, so do the treatment options and research initiatives. Scientists and medical professionals are constantly working to improve allergy diagnostics, treatments, and potential preventive measures.

What advancements are being made in allergy treatment?

Some promising areas of research and development include:

• Immunotherapy advancements, including sublingual tablets and oral immunotherapy for food allergies
• Biologics targeting specific pathways in allergic responses
• Improved diagnostic tools for more accurate and comprehensive allergy testing
• Research into the gut microbiome and its role in allergy development and prevention
• Gene therapy approaches to potentially modify allergic responses at a genetic level

These advancements offer hope for more effective and personalized treatments for those experiencing adult-onset allergies in the future.

The sudden onset of allergies in adulthood can be a surprising and challenging experience. However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies, it’s possible to minimize the impact of allergies on your daily life. By staying informed, working closely with healthcare professionals, and adapting to necessary lifestyle changes, you can effectively navigate life with adult-onset allergies and maintain a high quality of life.

Suddenly Have Allergies As An Adult? Here’s What You Need To Know | Henry Ford Health

Are you suddenly sneezing on a spring day after never having allergies as a child? Have you always loved peanut butter but now break out in hives with even a small taste? According to Rana Misiak, M.D., an allergist at Henry Ford Health, it’s not unusual for adults to develop new allergies.

“Seasonal and food allergies can start and stop at any time during your life,” says Dr. Misiak. “The good news is that there are a variety of effective strategies and treatments to relieve allergy symptoms, allowing you to enjoy your daily activities.”

Here, Dr. Misiak discusses symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatments for seasonal, environmental and food allergies.

Sneezing? Are Seasonal Allergies The Cause Or Is It Something Else?

Approximately 10-40% of Americans have seasonal allergies or hay fever. These allergies can affect anyone at any time, regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity. Each time you’re exposed to an allergen, your immune system triggers a cascade of responses. Allergies can interfere with your work, school and other daily activities as you experience symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing and watery or itchy eyes.

Some common culprits causing seasonal allergies include:

• Grasses
•  Pollen
• Trees
• Weeds

If you have allergy symptoms year-round, you could be reacting to environmental allergens such as:

• Dust
• Mold
• Pet dander

Or you may be reacting to an irritant. Irritants can produce allergy-like reactions, but they aren’t allergens. Common irritants include:

• Perfumes or strong scents
• Chilly air
• Changes in weather
• Pollutants
• Smoke

Wondering why you’re reacting to one or more of these allergens or irritants for the first time as an adult? “We don’t always know why these reactions appear. In some cases, we can trace them to a change in your environment,” says Dr. Misiak.

For example, you may have moved to a new area where you’re now exposed to plants and trees you haven’t encountered before. If you’re spending more time working at home during the pandemic, you may have been exposed to dust mites. Maybe you added a furry friend to your family, and you’re now surrounded by pet dander.

How Are Seasonal And Environmental Allergies Diagnosed And Treated?

If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, Dr. Misiak recommends seeing your physician or an allergist for a full evaluation. Your doctor can identify whether your symptoms are due to seasonal allergies, the flu or a virus like COVID-19.

You may have one of these tests to diagnose seasonal and environmental allergies:

• Scratch test: With this test, a small needle containing a specific allergen scratches the skin of your arm or back. If your skin is red or swollen after 15 to 20 minutes, you’re reacting to that allergen.
• Blood test: This test analyzes a blood sample for the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies linked to specific allergens.

A negative allergy test doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do about symptoms you might be experiencing, says Dr. Misiak. “Even if you have a normal allergy test, you can use that information to manage your exposure to other factors that may be causing your symptoms. At the same time, you can get back to activities that you stopped for fear of an allergic reaction.”

If you do have seasonal or environmental allergies, manage your symptoms by reducing your exposure to allergens. You can take steps such as:

• Lowering the humidity with a dehumidifier or AC to reduce dust mites in your home
• Planning outdoor activities when pollen counts are lower
• Using an air purifier to reduce pet dander
• Washing clothes and showering after being outside

If you still aren’t finding relief, medications can help. Over-the-counter antihistamines can work within hours while steroid nasal sprays provide relief in a few days. Prescription allergy shots can help gradually build your immunity to specific allergens. To begin, shots are usually given weekly. Eventually, you can scale back to monthly doses for a few years to maintain your immunity.

Not sure what’s right for you? Your physician can help you find a treatment plan to meet your specific needs.

Can’t Eat Your Favorite Food? Is It A Food Allergy?

Just like seasonal allergies, food allergies can appear at any time. Many kids develop food allergies young but can potentially outgrow them over time. But if you develop a food allergy as an adult, it is unlikely that it will disappear.

The most common adult-onset food allergies are:

• Fish and shellfish (shrimp and lobster)
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans and cashews)

Some of the first signs of a food allergy are a swelling of the lips and tongue, itchiness and hives up to an hour after eating a specific food.

Don’t ignore a new reaction to a food you’ve eaten. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have suspicious symptoms after eating. Your doctor can perform blood and skin tests to diagnose or rule out food allergies. They can also help distinguish between a food allergy, food sensitivity and food intolerance.

In severe cases of food allergies, some people are at risk for developing anaphylaxis. This life-threatening condition triggers an immune reaction that dangerously lowers your blood pressure and narrows your airway. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Light headedness
• Rapid, weak pulse

People with food allergies are usually prescribed an EpiPen. This device delivers an injection of epinephrine to stop a dangerous immune reaction. You should always carry your EpiPen with you and be sure that friends and family know where it is.

Whether you’re concerned about seasonal, environmental or food allergies, take the necessary steps to improve your health. “Many of my patients are relieved once they have completed allergy testing,” says Dr. Misiak. “They’re empowered to take charge of their health and improve the quality of their life.”

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To make an appointment with a primary care physician or allergist, call 1-800-436-7936 or visit henryford.com.

Dr. Rana Misiak specializes in caring for patients with seasonal or food-related allergies and asthma. She sees patients at Henry Ford Medical Centers in Dearborn and Novi.

Adult Onset Allergies | Everyday Health

Developing allergies as an adult is a fairly common phenomenon, but experts aren’t sure why some people are susceptible. Find out what you can do about sudden spring allergies or food allergies, and when it’s time to get an allergy test.

By Jennifer Acosta ScottMedically Reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Reviewed: February 5, 2013

Medically Reviewed

If you’ve never had a problem with pollen before, you might not realize when spring comes around that your sudden bouts of sneezing and watery eyes could be due to spring allergy symptoms. But it is possible to acquire seasonal allergies, food allergies, or other types of allergies as an adult with no prior history of them, says W. Edward Davis, III, MD, an allergist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

“It’s fairly common,” says Dr. Davis. “I’ve even had 85-year-olds walk into my office with allergic rhinitis or hay fever. It’s unusual, but I’ve seen it.”

Most people who develop adult-onset allergies usually do so in their twenties and thirties, though it’s possible to develop them at any age, Davis says. Allergic reactions happen when the body comes into contact with a specific substance, such as a food or an airborne particle, that it mistakenly identifies as harmful. Your body then produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, that attach themselves to certain cells, causing the cells to release a chemical called histamine. The histamine in turn causes inflammation, producing classic seasonal allergy symptoms, like red, watery eyes, and itching. Severe reactions to environmental and food allergies can cause a drop in blood pressure, and anaphylactic shock may occur.

“Immunoglobulin E fights off infections,” Davis says. “It’s a good thing to have. But in about one in five people, too much IgE is misdirected against an allergen rather than something harmful. The body just makes a mistake.”

Unraveling the Adult Allergy Mystery

Researchers don’t know exactly what causes the body to react to an allergen after many years of uneventful contact with it. Many times, Davis says, something in the patient’s environment has changed that causes them to be exposed to a substance that they did not previously come into contact with very often.

“Say someone has a tendency toward allergies; for example, a person might get married and their spouse has cats,” Davis says. “Cat dander is a very, very strong allergen. If you’ve never had indoor exposure to cats, it’s very possible for you to develop an allergy to them.” Another example is moving to a new state, where more allergens like ragweed and cedar pollen may be present in the air, and suddenly you develop seasonal allergy symptoms.

One theory scientists have about allergy causes is called the “hygiene hypothesis,” which suggests that the highly clean environments of most Westerners can cause their immune systems to overreact to harmless things like pet dander and peanuts. However, there is not enough scientific evidence in existence yet to use this theory as a basis for prevention or treatment of allergies.

When to Consider an Allergy Test

If you suspect that you have developed seasonal or food allergies in adulthood, consult your family doctor or an allergist while you avoid the substances or foods you suspect. There are many allergy tests available to confirm a diagnosis, such as a blood test to check for the presence of specific forms of IgE. Another type of diagnostic tool is skin testing, in which a small amount of an allergen is applied to your skin to check for a reaction.

In the case of suspected food allergies, you might try an elimination diet, in which you eliminate certain foods from your diet and then slowly reintroduce them, one at a time, to see if a reaction occurs, but make sure you talk with your doctor first.

If an allergy diagnosis is confirmed, many therapies are available to eliminate or reduce symptoms. People with severe food allergies generally must avoid the foods in question and carry injectable epinephrine in case of accidental exposure. People with seasonal or other allergies can use a variety of medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, to relieve seasonal allergy symptoms, and in some cases may respond well to allergy shots, which increase a person’s tolerance to certain allergens. Your doctor can help you determine the best course of treatment for your specific case.

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Allergy – CRIBS FOR PATIENTS

08/08/2019

According to advertising, allergies are one of the greatest problems of mankind. And this is true, unlike what we will have to hear next: it is enough to take a “magic” pill – and the disease will recede. But in real life, things are not so simple.

It turns out that allergies are not only itching, watery eyes, sneezing and a “fountain” from the nose, but also high fever, nausea, diarrhea and general weakness. Surprisingly, when all the white light is not nice and even the walls are annoying, our nervousness can also be a manifestation of an allergy. And although this problem has been known to people since the time of the construction of the pyramids, it is over the past two decades that the incidence of allergies has increased by 3-4 times, and today more than 25% of the world’s population suffers from various manifestations of it. Some authors give even more depressing figures – allergies torment up to 60% of residents of megacities! So, the symptoms of the disease are diverse, and the causes are myriad. Everything that surrounds us – plants, insects, house dust, animal hair, household chemicals – the body can react unpredictably. So what is this problem and how to deal with it?

Allergy, according to one of the modern definitions, is an excessive reaction of the human body’s immune system to foreign substances (allergens) .

The immune system is our “special forces”, responsible for the constancy of the internal environment of the body. All “foreigners” that penetrated into it from the outside (bacteria, viruses, parasites), or “terrorists” disguised as their own, that appeared in the course of life (atypical cells), must be neutralized. The immune system has the ability to distinguish “own” from “foreign” and take measures to destroy it. A considerable “army” of “fighters” ready for defense is responsible for the order in the body: whole organs (thymus gland, spleen), islands of lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes, pharyngeal lymphoid ring, intestinal nodes, etc. ), blood cells (various types of lymphocytes) and antibodies (special protein molecules).

Normally, when a “foreigner” (for example, a virus) enters the body for the first time, the immune system reacts by analyzing and remembering its structure, and then produces antibodies that remain in the blood plasma. The next intake of the same antigen causes an immediate attack of pre-synthesized antibodies, which quickly neutralize the “uninvited” guest, and the person does not get sick. In addition to antibodies, T-lymphocytes are also involved in the battle, capable of secreting enzymes that destroy the antigen. They are called “T-killers”.

Allergic reaction does not fundamentally differ from the normal response of the immune system to an antigen. The difference lies only in the inadequacy of the ratio of the strength of the reaction and the cause that causes it.

In a normal state, the body ignores the effects of most substances entering it. Refractory – so doctors call this “ignorance”.

So why do some people develop strong reactions to things that others just don’t notice? Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question. The dramatic increase in the number of sensitized people in recent decades is partly due to the sheer number of new compounds they encounter in their daily lives.

Most common environmental allergens

Food – milk, eggs, chocolate, honey, citrus fruits, cereals, seasonings, preservatives, food colorings.

Household – house, hotel, library dust and some of its components (microscopic dermatophagoid mites, microorganisms, etc.), dander and hair of cats, dogs, horses and other animals, feathers and down (including from pillows) , dry fish food, poultry excrement, cockroaches, mold spores (especially in damp areas).

Contact – detergents, washing powders, polishes, cosmetics, products made of synthetic materials.

Pollen – pollen of trees (birch, aspen, hazel, etc. ), cereals (rye, corn, sunflower, etc.), weeds (ragweed, dandelion, wormwood, etc.), meadow grasses (urchin combined team, timothy grass, ryegrass, etc.).

Chemical – low molecular weight (nickel, chromium, mercury, dinitrochlorobenzene, etc.) and high molecular weight chemicals (varnishes, paints, polymers).

Insecticides – poisons and allergenic substances of insects.

Drugs – any drug can be an allergen.

In addition to external allergens, there are internal allergens (endoallergens). With injuries, infections, exposure to toxic substances or radiation, the normal structure of tissues is disrupted, and the body perceives them as foreign, reacting with the formation of antibodies.

All types of allergic reactions are based on a single mechanism, in which several stages .

Immunological stage

This is the first encounter of the body with the antigen and the production of antibodies to it – sensitization . The reaction occurs with repeated and all subsequent receipts of the antigen. Antibodies attack the antigen in order to destroy it and form complexes antigen – antibody .

Pathochemical stage

The resulting immune complexes damage special mast cells present in many tissues. Inflammatory mediators (histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, etc.) contained in these cells are activated and released into the general circulation.

Pathophysiological stage

This is the result of the action of inflammatory mediators on organs and tissues. There are various external manifestations of allergy – spasm of the muscles of the bronchi, increased intestinal motility, gastric secretion and mucus formation, dilation of capillaries, the appearance of a skin rash, rhinitis, etc.

Since allergies can occur in different ways, the following types of allergic reactions are distinguished.

Type I – anaphylactic (immediate type)

Interaction reactions of immunoglobulins (antibodies) of group E (IgE) and G (IgG) with an external antigen. The resulting complex settles on the membranes of mast cells with the release of a large amount of histamine. Time of occurrence of the reaction: from several minutes to several hours after the penetration of the antigen into the body. Examples: anaphylactic shock, angioedema, urticaria, atopic bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies in children.

Type II – cytotoxic (or cytolytic)

Reactions of the interaction of immunoglobulins of groups M and G with the body’s own cells, perceived by the immune system as antigens. As a result, the cells are destroyed and die. Time of development of the clinical picture: up to several hours. Examples: hemolytic anemia, hemolytic jaundice of newborns with Rh conflict (destruction of red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (platelets die), complications during blood transfusion, administration of drugs (toxic-allergic reaction).

III type – immunocomplex (Arthus phenomenon)

Immune complexes of antigen molecules and antibodies of groups G and M are deposited on the inner walls of capillaries and cause their damage. Reaction time: from several hours to several days. Examples: serum sickness (immune response to serum administration), glomerulonephritis, rheumatic diseases, allergic dermatitis.

Type IV – late hypersensitization (delayed type)

Reaction development time: a day or more after the antigen enters the body. Reactions occur with the participation of T-lymphocytes (hence another name for them – cell-mediated). The attack on the antigen is not provided by antibodies, but by specific clones of T-lymphocytes that have multiplied after previous antigen intakes. Lymphocytes secrete active substances – lymphokines that can cause inflammatory reactions. Examples: contact dermatitis, bronchial asthma, rhinitis.

Allergic reactions are also divided according to the nature of the course – seasonal and year-round.

In addition to true (specific) allergy, there are conditions that are clinically very similar to allergic, but are not. The release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation does not occur as a result of sensitization of the body with specific antigens, but as a result of any other problems in the body, for example, a decrease in the antitoxic function of the liver in its diseases. Such reactions are called pseudo-allergic (non-specific).

Many authors classify allergic reactions into clinical forms .

1. Allergodermatoses (allergic skin diseases):

a) atopic dermatitis (severe itching, redness and swelling of skin areas) – occurs in children;

b) urticaria (skin itching, sudden appearance and rapid disappearance of blisters on the skin and / or mucous membranes) – more often in adults;

c) Quincke’s angioedema (limited swelling of the skin, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes, which is dangerous because if it spreads to the respiratory tract, suffocation may occur).

2. Allergic rhinitis.

3. Allergic conjunctivitis.

4. Pollinosis (hay fever, spring catarrh) – allergic rhinitis caused by plant pollen.

5. Bronchial asthma.

6. Serum sickness is a generalized allergic reaction to the administration of drugs, in particular to a foreign serum protein.

7. Anaphylactic shock is the reaction of the whole body to contact with an allergen. It is characterized by initial excitation followed by depression of the central nervous system, bronchospasm and a sharp decrease in blood pressure. This is the most severe manifestation of an allergy.

Factors contributing to the development of allergic reactions

Ø Presence of hereditary predisposition.

Ø Sensitization in early childhood (including in utero).

Ø Exposure to tobacco smoke.

Ø Exposure to sensitizing industrial wastes.

Ø Eating a lot of sweet food. Such food increases the severity of allergic reactions.

Ø Emotional stress.

Ø Periods of hormonal changes in the body: puberty, pregnancy, menopause, menstruation.

Ø Increased insolation.

Any manifestation of allergy requires a doctor’s consultation to identify the allergen, choose the right treatment tactics and prevent repeated allergic reactions.

However, the presence of certain symptoms in a patient is a reason for urgent medical attention.

Allergy symptoms that threaten the health and life of the patient

Ø Shortness of breath, shortness of breath, disorders of the nervous system, a sharp drop in blood pressure, asthma attacks.

Ø Signs of laryngeal edema: hoarse voice, barking cough, shortness of breath.

Ø Extended edema to the upper half of the face.

Ø Manifestations of severe anxiety, feeling of fear, severe weakness, increased motor activity.

Ø Abdominal syndrome – nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain of varying intensity.

Ø Allergic rhinitis accompanied by bloody discharge from the nose or fever and purulent discharge from the nose.

Ø Occurrence of new manifestations of allergy during treatment.

Ø Manifestations of allergies do not decrease within a day after the start of treatment or recur episodically.

Contact us at the clinic Affordable doctor.

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Yuri CHERTKOV, doctor, business coach, director of the Medical Marketing Agency

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ASIT-therapy in Moscow – make an appointment – “UNIClinic”

Spring is a wonderful time of the year. It would seem that it is time to enjoy the sun, birdsong and spring mood. However, for people whose problem is an allergy to flowering, the beginning of spring is associated with the approach of serious tests.

Typical manifestations of flowering allergy (pollinosis, hay fever, seasonal allergic rhinitis) include:

• sudden sneezing;
• nasal congestion;
• muco-watery nasal discharge;
• redness of the conjunctiva of the eyes, eyelids;
• pain in the eyes and lachrymation;
• in more severe cases – cough, shortness of breath, etc.

Unfortunately, there are more and more people suffering from an allergy to flowering, and even mild forms of it can significantly reduce the quality of life.

The main symptom of hay fever is seasonality.

The first symptoms of pollinosis appear in people when nature is just waking up from its winter sleep. The reaction is caused by the pollen of early-flowering trees. From May to July, people who react to grass pollen will face these manifestations. And from the end of July until late autumn, an allergy to flowering will cause discomfort for those who are sensitive to weeds (wormwood, swan, ragweed), sunflower.

The best way to get rid of hay fever symptoms is to avoid allergens. But not always and not everyone has the opportunity to go to places where allergy-causing plants do not bloom. Modern medicine has more accessible, convenient and, most importantly, effective methods of dealing with allergies, and not with symptoms that have already arisen, but preventing their occurrence.

The only treatment for allergies that can achieve long-term remission or even eliminate allergy symptoms forever is allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT).

The mechanism of allergen-specific immunotherapy is based on the introduction of small doses of the allergen to the patient, due to which the body adapts to the substance that causes the allergy. In this case, the patient is injected into the body exactly the substance that causes an allergic reaction in him (therefore, it is very important to undergo a comprehensive examination before performing ASIT). For ASIT, injections, tablets and sublingual sprays are used. Gradually, the dose increases, the person fully adapts to the stimulus and stops responding to it. Thus, a long-term remission or complete recovery is achieved. With the help of ASIT, you can get rid of the common cold, conjunctivitis and asthma caused by an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of runny nose and conjunctivitis will gradually decrease, there will be no need for large doses of allergy medications.