With the arrival of May, many Ukrainians face unpleasant symptoms of seasonal allergies. The reason is the active flowering of trees, meadow grasses, and cereal crops. Doctors include rye, timothy, buckwheat plants, as well as fungal spores that enhance the effect of pollen, among the main allergens this month.
This was reported by allergists Violetta Oliynyk and Victoria Rodinkova in comments to the media.
“From the beginning of May, trees bloom, followed by grasses. The most aggressive allergen is grass pollen, especially rye,” explains Violetta Oliynyk, an allergist at the Odrex Medical Center.
Despite a common myth, poplar fluff is not an allergen. According to Professor Victoria Rodinkova, it is just the seeds of the plant, and it is the pollen of cereals and fungal spores that cause allergies.
“Fungal spores, such as Alternaria, act in synergy with lawn grass pollen. This is a real explosive mixture for allergy sufferers,” Rodinkova emphasizes.
The main symptoms of seasonal allergies or hay fever are:
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nasal congestion;
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itching and redness of the eyes;
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sneeze;
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dry cough;
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itchy skin rash.
Symptoms are often similar to ARVI, so it is important to have a diagnosis from an allergist to avoid incorrect treatment.
To reduce allergy symptoms, experts advise:
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monitor the pollen forecast in your region (for example, through the Allergoprognoz resource);
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avoid walking during peak flowering periods, especially in dry and windy weather;
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wash your eyes, nose and head after being outside;
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wear a mask and glasses that block pollen;
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install air filters in the home and carry out regular wet cleaning;
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limit the consumption of foods that may cause a cross-reaction (nuts, raw apples, stone fruits, etc.);
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Prepare for the season in advance - start preventive treatment 2 weeks before active pollination.
To relieve symptoms, doctors recommend:
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antihistamines;
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saline solutions for nasal irrigation;
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sprays and eye drops.
In addition, a specific allergy treatment is available - ASIT (allergen-specific immunotherapy), which allows you to gradually accustom the immune system to the allergen. The duration of such treatment is from 3 to 5 years.
