We are in full season of allergies, and sensitive people face symptoms such as itching and nose, nasal secretions, clogged nose sensation, etc. For those who do not know that they suffer from allergy, but face these symptoms, the correct gesture is the presentation to the doctor.
How to make the difference between cold and allergy. Photo: Shutterstock
The season of allergies with a seasonal profile has begun for some time, and this happens because we do not have a winter in the true sense of the word, with cold and snow. Spring comes early and, with it, the concern of allergic people. The pollen of the trees and the pollen of herbs and grasses are the biggest problem this season, when we are witnessing an increase in concentrations, for allergic people.
Three in ten people, worldwide, suffer from a form of allergy. Not everyone knows that they are allergic, although the symptoms of itching and eyes, sneezing, nasal secretions and the clogged nose sensation should send us to the doctor, to find out what determines the exaggerated reaction of the body and to receive the proper treatment.
The treatment started at the right time can get rid of the annoying manifestations, but if we act after the inflammation has been installed, everything will be much harder to control and with a higher suffering.
On the YouTube account of the Romanian Society of Allergology, the specialists explain what it is to be done if you are facing a summer allergy, what are the therapeutic options, but also what mistakes not to make.
Treatment started in time gets rid of upset symptoms
The biggest mistake, doctors say, is that patients do not start treatment at the first signs, but when the symptoms are already intense. The first option is the symptomatic treatment, ie the spray with intranasal corticoid.
Dr. Corina Bucșan, allergology and clinical immunology, explains to everyone how to use spray: “It is important to straighten the spray to the side wall of the nasal cavity, respectively to the outside, not directly to the inside of the nasal cavity. During administration you must hold the vial in a vertical position and tilt the head slightly forward. Apply the dose in the opposite nostril with which you hold the spray. mucosa ”.
Corticosteroids are anti -inflammatory drugs to be used in early stages, when inflammation is mild to moderate. If the symptoms are intense – constant sneezing, severe nasal congestion – inflammation is already too accentuated and the application of corticosteroids may no longer be effective. In such cases the control of inflammation becomes difficult.
The second treatment option is represented by anti -allergic (antihistamines) drugs, which can be administered orally – tablets, drops, or locally – intranasal or ocular.
The specialists of the Romanian Allergology Society explain why these drugs are needed and how they act effectively. Following the exposure to allergens, the immune system responds by the release of histamine, a substance that induces clinical manifestations specific to allergies. Antihistamines block histamine receptors and prevent its action on cells, reducing inflammation and symptoms. It is very important to be administered from the smallest symptoms throughout the exposure.
“We now have sprays that combine corticosteroids and antihistamines. They provide additional benefit for people with allergic rhinitis or rhinoconjunctivitis. On the one hand corticosteroids reduce inflammation while antihistamines block the effects of histamine, the substance that is responsible for the symptoms of allergies. This combination calms nasal congestion, sneezing, nasal itch and nasal secretions and offers complete but immediate but immediate improvement. Their use reduces the need for other drugs, improves daily comfort and is particularly effective for people who frequently face intense allergic symptoms. ”says Dr. Bucșan.
Probiotics also help in managing allergic rhinitis, by supporting a healthy balance of intestinal microbiome that plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system. By balancing the microbiotic, probiotics can reduce inflammation and exaggerated reactions to allergens. “Studies suggest that probiotics can modulate immune responses, contributing to reducing the severity of allergic rhinitis and a better quality of life for those with seasonal or persistent allergies ” says the doctor.
How can you lower the risk of exposure to allergens
The pollen level in the air can be measured with the help of special sensors. These measurements help allergies to start treatment in days with a high concentration of allergens in the air.
What we can do, the doctor explains in the video, is to suck regularly using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, to wash weekly, at a temperature of at least 60 degrees, bed linen, blankets and pillows.
The rooms must be ventilated daily, but in the pollen season the ventilation is not done in the morning, but in the evening, to penetrate less pollen in the house and to be less exposed to the allergen. You can protect mattresses, pillows, sofas with special covers that prevent the multiplication of allergens or mites.
It is also recommended to remove the carpets and heavy curtains that accumulate dust and mites or to clean them frequently.
Another important aspect to control the allergens in the rooms is to maintain an optimal humidity. The optimal humidity level is between 30-50%. If the humidity is over 50% (in which case the proliferation of mites and molds is favored) it is recommended to use a dehumidifier, and for a humidity below 30, which dries the mucosa, a humidifier helps.
