What is hay fever
Hay fever - is the individual response of the immune system to pollen (in fact, the name comes from the British pollen - «pollen").
Sometimes referred to as hay fever hay fever, since a long time it was believed that the body suffers because of the contact with the hay. However, a British physician David Blakely convincingly proved in 1873 that the cause of hay fever, pollen is a wide variety of plants: and grasses, and trees. So the medical term came into use hay fever.
Hay fever - a tricky disorder to identify that it is often not as easy as we would like.
The exact cause of allergic disease still not clear. Scientists find it difficult to answer, why the immune system of some people does not react to pollen, while others react too violently.
At the same time, according to statisticsPollen Overload: Seasonal Allergies in a Changing ClimateVictims of allergies to pollen are from 10 to 30% of the world population.
What are the symptoms of hay fever
Hay fever is very similar to many other types of allergy. That, however, is not surprising if we remember that hay fever - the same allergic reaction.
Pollen falls on mucous membranes of eyes, mouth and nose, bronchus reaches settles on the skin. If the body perceives it as an enemy (the allergen), this meeting could have a lot of unpleasant consequences:
- Rhinitis. Symptoms in this case are similar to the common cold: runny nose, watery along with nasal congestion, impaired sense of smell, frequent sneezing, swelling (redness), mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, watery eyes.
- asthmatic bronchitis. who was sick bronchitis, Remembers that suffocating feeling: every breath causes coughing, which is why the air is difficult to get into the lungs. Without treatment, bronchitis can develop into asthma.
- dermatitis. On the chest, back, buttocks, thighs appear small itchy bright pink rash - urticaria.
Depending on the individual organism hay fever reactions can manifest itself in different ways: someone without end sneezes, but does not suffer from bronchitis and urticaria, and someone goes to a full range of "Pleasures."
How do you know that you have hay fever
As was said above, unequivocal symptoms that would allow to diagnose hay fever at home, no. It can be judged only by circumstantial evidence.
1. seasonality
If symptoms occur only when blooming plants, most of all, we can talk about hay fever. But on the 100-percent guarantee of the question. After all, the spring may worsen and other types of allergies. In the first warm days, when the walls of the houses are already well warmed up, but the humidity is still high, the active development of all kinds mold. So that the problem can be allergic to fungi, not pollen.
2. The obvious response to any particular vegetation
If you generally feel fine, but I will pass over flowering acacias, start to sneeze, itch and panting, we can assume that your allergen - pollen acacia. Although there is no guarantee.
There are more than 100 types of allergenic pollen. Find out exactly which one - yours only with medical advice.
What to do?
The only reliable way to know that you have just allergies, - address to the therapist. He ruled out infection and other diseases, and, if necessary, send you to an allergist.
And already allergist will help you understand what exactly you are allergic. There are two ways to find out.
1. allergoproby
This is the fastest option that allows you to detect the allergen directly on the day of treatment in the laboratory. Forearm make small scratches and it is applied to extract the alleged allergen. If he is your enemy, your body will react by redness and slight swelling in the scratched spot. It will take no more than 20-30 minutes.
Sometimes alternative scratches perform injections or applications with a solution of allergen extract. Their operating principle is the same.
However, skin allergy tests have several limitations. Firstly, it can not be carried out in the period of acute allergies or chronic diseases of all kinds, as well as during pregnancy. Second, the survey was that effective, some days you must stop taking any medications Allergy.
2. Blood analysis
Way longer, but for him there is no such hard contraindications (although in any case to increase the efficiency of his best done in the period of remission - when allergy retreats). Do you take blood from a vein. Then it is divided into several portions, each impose a particular allergen and check on what the blood will react. So your personal allergen will be installed.
How to treat hay fever
According to the results of tests the doctor will prescribe antihistamines to help relieve symptoms.
Remember to self-medicate dangerous!
Also, you can advise specific immunotherapy. This is an effective method of prevention: the doctor inserts a small dose of the allergen to the body gradually got used to them and does not react so violently. Also increasingly popular is sublingual immunotherapy - a tablet that must dissolve under the tongue daily.
But you need to start immunotherapy until autumn, when the flowering season is completed. And in order to achieve sustainable impact will have to continue immunotherapy for at least three years.
How to ease the condition when hay fever
If the doctor confirmed hay fever, but the results of the analysis on allergens you do not have or you just want to do without medication, here are some tips to alleviate the symptoms.
1. Pay attention to the time of day and weather
This is one of sufficiently effective methods to combat allergies. Prevalence and concentration of pollen in the air are subject to certain circadian rhythms. So, in the morning and in the evening the number of allergens, usually lower than at other times. So, if you have allergies and you can not avoid going outside, plan it on the morning or evening hours.
Also consider the weather conditions. On a hot windy day pollen concentration is higher than in a cool and without wind. Try at such times not to go outside the house and do not open once again to the windows and doors.
2. Going outside, wear a gauze mask and sunglasses
Mask stop allergens on the outskirts of the mouth and nose, and glasses will cover your eyes. To increase the level of security, choose a model with as large lenses and a wide rim.
Better to choose a lens tinted, in which case they will be able to hide your tear-stained eyes, if pollen still will break.
If you can take a vacation. Go to the coast of the seas, oceans, lakes: the amount of pollen there tend to be lower.
3. Carry and use saline in a spray
Shampooing will help remove the feeling of nasal congestion and washed away a significant amount of allergens. Saline nasal spray can be purchased at any drug store or cook yourself: in a glass of warm water add on ¹/₄ teaspoon salt and baking soda, mix thoroughly.
4. Often take a shower
The first thing, as soon as get home! And be sure to wash hairTo wash away the pollen, not only with the body, but also with the hair.
5. Be mindful of pet
They can carry pollen on wool. Therefore, your personal allergen season, try to less contact with pets and limit their outdoor paddock among the vegetation. If it seems to you inhuman, get a habit to hold your dog or kitty express shower upon returning home. Oh, and do not let pets in the bedroom! You should have a chance to sleep without obtrusive "Ah-Sneezy!".
6. Buy a home air purifier
And if you have air conditioning, use high-efficiency filters, HEPA filter to better deal with the pollen. Change the filter at least once a year.
7. revise diet
It should be done in two ways at once. The first - to add productsThat can facilitate health. However, some of them cause crisscross allergy (pollen when the impact is enhanced by the presence of food in the menu with similar allergens). So before you go for the food, check with the second list.
Thus, it is considered12 Effective, Natural Remedies for Seasonal AllergiesThat help with hay fever:
- Foods rich in omega-3. Salmon, salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, eel, caviar, cod liver oil, flaxseed and canola oil cold pressed.
- Foods rich in magnesium. Oatmeal, Almonds, walnuts and pine nuts, chickpeas, cocoa, fennel, flax seeds, sesame seeds, white beans.
- Foods rich in vitamin C. Rose, parsley, coriander, black currant, red bell pepper, lemon peel, cabbage, strawberries, kiwi fruit, tomato juice.
- Foods rich in quercetin. Capers, onions, broccoli, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, tea, red wine, cranberries, raspberries, cranberries.
- Foods rich in vitamin E. Vegetable oils (sunflower, olive, corn, linseed, coconut), buckwheat, oatmeal, beans, peas.
- Foods rich in selenium. Liver, eggs, rice, barley grits, corn, cabbage, octopus, beans, peas, lentils.
- Foods rich in probiotics (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria). Yogurt, cottage cheese, yogurt, Sour cream, cheese, sauerkraut and homemade pickles (cucumbers, tomatoes, apples Mochenov), onions and leeks, artichokes, bananas.
The second way - to remove the foods that can triggerFood allergies resulting from immunological cross-reactivity with inhalant allergens crisscross allergy. But here it is necessary to know on what kind of pollen you are allergic.
Pollen | Foods that cause allergies crisscross |
Ragweed | Bananas, melons, zucchini, cucumber, chamomile |
Birch tree | Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, nectarines, kiwi, carrots, celery, potatoes, pepper, dill, parsley, coriander, parsnips, hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts |
Cereals | Food cereals (oats, wheat, barley), sorrel |
Grass | Peaches, celery, melons, tomatoes, oranges |
Sagebrush | Celery, apples, kiwi, peanuts, fennel, carrots, parsley, coriander, sunflower, pepper |
Alder | Celery, pears, apples, almonds, cherries, hazelnuts, peaches, parsley |
8. Engage in self-suggestion
Remember the phrase, "I am the most charming and attractive"? Do about the same, only in the context of allergy, "I have arranged themselves around completely safe little world, which does not penetrate any allergen! I am healthy and happy! "It looks funny? Do not hurry sarcastic shrug.
The power of auto-suggestion is confirmedSelf-hypnosis may help hay fever sufferers Swiss scientists back in 2005. Patients with allergies, told herself, if there are no allergens in place, for example on the pristine beach or a snowy mountain, suffered less. Allergic manifestations have fallen by about a third. And this is very important.
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