The allergy season has begun, and many of us confuse the symptoms with those of a cold, doctors warn. Officially, 8 million Romanians have at least one form of allergy, according to data from the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, and globally at least 30% of the population suffers from an allergy. But the number of those who suffer from this condition is much higher
Sneezing very often, among the symptoms of allergies. Photo source: archive
The season when all the plants come to life is a difficult time for more and more Romanians who suffer from seasonal allergies. Climate change has shifted the onset of allergy season, so sensitive people have less and less time off when it comes to the symptoms of these conditions. Globally, 30% of the population has a respiratory allergy.
Symptoms of spring allergies
Allergy is “an exaggerated reaction of the body to the factors around us”, says pulmonologist Beatrice Mahler. And some people may discover from year to year that they are allergic, without always determining the trigger of the allergic reaction. “If until last year our body responded absolutely normally and did not have a problem with the pollen from the air, from a certain moment the body begins to react to the substances that are around us and that it perceives as more aggressive. The allergic reaction is a defense reaction to certain substances that the body perceives in the environment“, adds the manager of the Pneumology Institute “Marius Nasta”.
Spring-specific pollen allergies cause symptoms similar to those of a cold and can be mild or severe. Frequent sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, cough, itching in the nose, throat and eyes, or even in the ears, but also red eyes are signs of spring allergies.
In addition, we can experience headaches and discomfort due to sinus congestion. Other people experience tiredness or lack of concentration, while others have itchy rashes and itchy skin. But it is “eextremely significant evaluation of the moment in which we present this symptomatologye”, says the pulmonologist. “An allergy is often seasonal, and the symptoms last much longer than a cold. If a cold lasts on average 7-10 days, an allergy can last one, two, three months, and some even longer, such as perennial allergies. There are also allergies with permanent symptoms, such as pet allergies, if you are exposed. You don't get a fever if you are allergic, and the general condition is also influenced in allergy, patients have a discomfort, only it lasts much longer. Allergy does not go away with paracetamol”explained the allergology specialist Dr. Ramona Mureșan.
How to treat each other
Many people do not differentiate between an allergy and a cold, and as we know that the “disease” of Romanians is to treat themselves, many turn to antibiotics and other medicines when they see that the cough and other symptoms persist. “The antibiotic has a recommendation indication and is not administered for symptoms that are not specific, and especially without a doctor's consultation. A doctor differentiates allergic reaction from cold. Most often, the allergic reaction occurs in a patient who has various allergies every year. Cold symptoms appear suddenly, as a rule, accompanied by a change in general condition, marked asthenia, headache, stuffy nose, sometimes muscle pain. When we talk about allergies, we talk about symptoms that are manifested by an irritation of the mucous membranes, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, but it is never accompanied by fever, muscle pain, symptoms that can be relieved by the administration of non-specific anti-inflammatories”, says Dr. Beatrice Mahler.
Antihistamines are over-the-counter medications that can relieve symptoms. They block the effects of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions. Nasal sprays reduce nasal congestion and open the airways. Antiallergic eye drops can be used for the eyes.
However, there is a suitable treatment for those with severe and chronic allergies: immunotherapy. More specifically, it involves the gradual administration of a small amount of allergen to increase the body's tolerance to that substance.
“Immunotherapy is recommended by the allergist following a consultation aimed at which type of allergy, if it is seasonal or not, if it is recommended in that type of allergy. We cannot recommend immunotherapy to everyone, the exact allergen must be seen”, adds Dr. Beatrice Mahler. To avoid complications, when the symptoms persist, we must see the allergist to receive appropriate treatment. “The fact that we know what we are allergic to helps us establish a desensitization treatment for that substance. This is the curative treatment, it makes us stop being allergic and stop taking a control treatment every year during the allergy season“, adds doctor Ramona Mureșan.
However, patients have to come out of their own pocket to pay for this type of treatment, and the costs vary depending on several factors. In general, immunotherapy can be a long-term treatment, two to three years. “Immunotherapy is not settled, unfortunately, the patient pays, but there are desensitizing products, sometimes easier, sometimes harder. We, allergists, recommend this treatment because it is the only one that can influence the immune system's reaction to pollens, to house dust, to molds or pet epithelia“, adds the doctor.
That is why it is essential that the authorities facilitate access to this therapy, experts warn. Another way to treat allergies is to avoid exposure to known allergens. “Keeping windows closed on days with high pollen levels, using air purifiers in the home, and regular wet dusting as much as possible can help minimize exposure to allergens. It is also important to pay attention to personal habits such as personal hygiene, showering daily and changing clothes after spending time outdoors to remove as much pollen and other allergens as possible“, advises epidemiologist Emilian Popovici.
Complications of allergies
“A respiratory allergy, allergic rhinitis, untreated, it becomes complicated with sinusitis, otitis, and if it is not treated for a long time with proper treatment, complications such as asthma and allergies can occurc”, warns allergist Ramona Mureșan. Globally, up to 30% of the planet's population suffers from a respiratory allergy, and between 10-40% of patients with allergic rhinitis also have allergic asthma. Can those with asthma or respiratory allergies experience exacerbations of their symptoms during pollen season? “Not necessarily”, says pulmonologist Beatrice Mahler. “If asthma is allergic, we are talking about a combination of conditions here. Allergy is a disease that is associated with other pathologies. It is important that conditions that can be treated, managed, cured because over time, the accumulation of conditions does nothing but decrease the quality of life and make us dependent on the doctor's office.” completes the pulmonologist.
Approximately 80% of patients who use drug treatment against allergies and feel that they have control over their symptoms do not control the progression of the disease to allergic asthma, reports the Romanian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SRAIC).
