It can cause rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the mucosa that lines the nose. This causes watery discharge, sneezing, nasal blockage, and itching in the nose, palate, and back of the throat.
Seasonal allergies, also known as seasonal allergies pollination, is one that is visible only during certain times of the year due to exposure to certain organic substances suspended in the air, such as pollen. It usually lasts from spring to autumn.
“More than 20% of people typically develop pollen allergy, but there is still a high level of underdiagnosis due to under-consultation or allergy referral of patients with clinical symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis, which increases over time, year by year. years and even persist indefinitely. Worse, as up to 40% of patients may develop asthma“, comments Raquel Rodríguez (MN 115.003), head of the Allergy and Immunology Division of the UBA Hospital de Clinicas.
What causes allergies?
The main reason for this is the pollen of certain plants which can be found in high concentrations in the environment during the flowering stage. Thus we often have tree species such as ash, banyan and privet; Grasses such as Lolium, sedges of grasslands, some crop cereals and weeds.
“Trees do this inoculation “In the spring, grasses in late spring and early summer, and weeds in late summer and early fall, all this commotion causes allergy symptoms to appear in people who are sensitive to one or more of these pollens,” he details. Rodriguez
“Global warming and environmental pollution (diesel particles from vehicles) are factors that are causing plant pollination periods to start earlier than usual and become longer and more intense. “Another cause of seasonal allergies are spores of fungi belonging to the Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium genera, which naturally live in vegetation and spread in the air like pollen,” the expert warns.
What problems can seasonal allergies cause?
“The reason may be allergic rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the mucosa that surrounds the nose, manifested with watery discharge, sneezing, nasal obstruction, and itching in the nose, palate, and back of the throat. Expert List. They may also often be associated with allergic conjunctivitis, which presents with ocular symptoms such as itching, tearing, eye congestion, and even eyelid swelling.
The presence of cough and bronchial wheezing raises suspicion of its association with bronchial asthma. These symptoms appear outdoors, mainly on sunny days, improve on rainy days and worsen when windy. Depending on the high amount of pollen in the air, these symptoms can worsen and affect daily activities such as school and work performance, and even cause difficulty sleeping, causing a profound impact on quality of life. Does matter.”
“It is important to talk about pollination, because it is an under-diagnosed pathology that can appear at any age, although it usually occurs more common in childhood and adolescence“, and its correct diagnosis and timely treatment is effective in reducing and controlling symptoms in most patients, which is a major improvement in their quality of life,” the expert highlighted.
Allergy detection day
For this reason, on September 20 and 21, in the central hall on Cordoba Avenue of the Hospital de Clínicas de Buenos Aires, an allergy identification day will be held, for which anyone who contacts will be received by an allergist who will give them a questionnaire. Will get it completed. This is followed by a skin allergy test with pollen extract (unless they have been taking anti-allergy medications in the last 5 days), and if positive, the volunteer can begin the relevant treatment.
Tips to take care of yourself this time of year
It is important to know which pollens are responsible for allergies and in which months it is pollinated, in order to take into account some general measures:
- Minimize outdoor activities between 5:00 am to 10:00 am and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
- Shower after being outside and change clothes to remove stuck-on pollen
- Keep windows closed and ventilate the house during the afternoon
- Use air conditioning or a HEPA purifier to filter out allergens
- Do not dry clothes outside
- Avoid gardening activities, such as mowing or lying on the grass
- Travel by car with the windows closed and use air conditioning with a filter
- Check the forecast to prepare for especially sunny, dry and windy days
- To stay in the indoor environment as long as possible during the period of maximum pollination, follow the pollen count information on the website of the Argentine Association of Allergy and Immunology.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses and, in case of very intense symptoms, use a special face mask that covers the nose and mouth.
- Consult an allergist and do not self-medicate
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