What are the spring allergies
Spring is the time of year when seasonal allergies are the most prevalent. Spring is the season when the trees start to bloom and the pollen makes its appearance. Thus people who suffer from allergies begin to manifest rhinorrhea and sneezing. Every year, millions of people are affected by seasonal allergic rhinitis, known as hay fever.Although there is no magic cure for spring allergies, there are many ways to combat them, which may include medications, natural remedies and other treatments that can be applied at home.
Causes of allergies
The most important allergen in spring is pollen allergies: small particles released into the air by trees, grasses and weeds, in order to fertilize other plants. When pollen particles are inspired by an allergic person, the immune system is overloaded.
The immune system mistakenly believe that pollen is a foreign invader and begins to produce antibodies – substances that are designed to identify and neutralize bacteria, viruses and other pathogens in the body. Antibodies attack the allergens, blood deteminand body to release chemicals called histamines. Histamine that triggers the symptoms are runny nose, itchy eyes and other symptoms of allergies.
Spring allergy symptoms
Allergy symptoms tend to be particularly intense in cooler days, when the wind pick up and carry pollen in the air. On rainy days, on the other hand, there is a decrease in the amount of pollen in the air. Manifestations of spring allergies include:
- rhinorrhea
- watery eyes
- sneezing
- cough
- itching of the nose and eyes
- swelling of the eyes.
Airborne allergens can trigger asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, which makes breathing difficult and causes coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Spring allergy diagnosis
If you have not been formally diagnosed with spring allergies, but allergy symptoms observed during the spring months, consult your doctor. The Consultant may recommend an allergist for further testing.
Specialist allergist can do investigations to detect allergy, which involves injecting under the skin of a small sample of a diluted allergen. If you are allergic to the substance, where it was injected allergen would swell and redden. Another option is the diagnostic test radioalergosorbent. This is a blood test that detects the antibody to a specific allergen. However, just because you are sensitive to a particular allergen does not mean that you have symptoms of allergy when they come into contact with that allergen.
Treatment for spring allergies
Spring allergy treatments include many medicines obtained without a prescription. These drugs are effective in most cases and include:
- antihistamines – relieves allergy symptoms by reducing histamine levels
- decongestants – help relieve nasal passages and relieves congestion and inflammation
- nasal sprays – are more efficient and faster than oral deongestionantele
- nasal sprays cromolyn sodium – can help prevent seasonal allergic rhinitis by limiting the production of histamine, before it trigger allergic symptoms
- eye drops – to relieve itching and lacrimarii eyes.
Even if you purchase these drugs without a prescription, it is advisable to check with your doctor before using them to ensure that appropriate treatment and follow safe. Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness sensation (so you must be careful when taking them during the day). Do not use antihistamines and decongestants without a prescription, more than a few days without talking first, with your doctor.
If medicines obtained without a prescription allergy symptoms do not improve, your doctor may prescribe medicines obtained on prescription, injections or sublingual oral immunosuppressants. Corticosteroid nasal sprays that can be purchased with a prescription, reduce inflammation in the nose.
Injections against allergies allergen dose gradually increase until the body will tolerate easier. With injectable substances can be relieved symptoms for a longer period of time compared to administer oral medications. Although not applicable in all cases, injection therapy can stop allergy symptoms over a period of several years.
Some people resort to diminish allergic allergic manifestations in natural therapies. Experts, are divided on their effectiveness. Natural remedies could include:
- Burdock. It seems that this European plant has the potential to relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies. In several studies, burdock has been shown to have the same properties as those of synthetic antihistamines.
- Quercetin. This flavonoid that is found naturally in onions, apples and black tea has anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to contribute to blocking the production of histamine.
- Nettle. Nettle roots and leaves were used to treat any condition and symptoms, from mild pain to prostate problems. Although some people use nettle leaves to treat seasonal allergic manifestations, more studies are needed to obtain accurate data on the possible positive effects of nettle.
- Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation involves using a combination of warm water, a quarter teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda. This combination can streamline release mucus and sinus passages. Make sure you use filtered water, sterile or previously boiled, when preparing the mixture for nasal irrigation. It is also important to rinse the container used for irrigation after cation use.
If you wish to use natural remedies for seasonal allergies treatment, consult your doctor before.