25.03.2022 CNN
Seasonal allergies are starting to knock on our door as the spring months approach. However, those who are closed to their homes during the pandemic and wait for the arrival of spring and those who want to experience the joy of spring in outdoor activities should be careful against seasonal allergies. Because with the arrival of spring, the meadow grasses, grasses and trees begin to bloom, and pollen begins to scatter.
Giving information about seasonal allergies that radically affect the lives of children and adults with the approach of spring, Pediatric Allergy, Chest Diseases Specialist and Allergy Asthma Association President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay explained the tips for fighting allergens in spring. He said that it manifests itself in the form of allergy to pollen, allergic asthma in the bronchi, allergic rhinitis in the nose and eye allergy in the eyes. prof. Dr. Akçay stated that spring allergies disturb the patient very much, impair their quality of life, patients cannot sleep well due to allergic symptoms, therefore they feel tired and weak, as a result of which there is a decrease in concentration and learning ability. She provided everyday tips on how to combat allergens for those with seasonal allergies. Because with the arrival of spring, the meadow grasses, grass and trees bloom and pollen is scattered around. Pollen, which is a miracle of nature, helps plants to spread and multiply in the environment, but it can turn the spring months into a nightmare for people with pollen allergies. Individuals who tend to outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, gardening and soil during the pandemic are at risk due to pollen, even if they are in a safer environment in terms of Covid-19.
Do not dry your clothes in the open air, use HEPA filtered air cleaners. Clothes worn outside should be changed and cleaned when you come home. If possible, taking a warm shower, gargling the nose with water, especially washing the hair is very helpful in cleaning the pollen sticking to the hair. Because pollen can easily settle in the fibers and then trigger symptoms when you wear the laundry. If your allergies are very high, you can dry your clothes in the dryer after washing, not outside. YOU CAN USE HEPA FILTERED AIR CLEANING DEVICES It will be beneficial to use a portable HEPA “High Efficiency Particulate Arresting” filter air cleaner, regularly vacuum your house with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner, and frequently change the pollen filters of the air conditioner in your car and home. Outdoor exercises are important for beating allergies, but timing is critical. REMEMBER TO REPLACE CAR FILTERS The filters installed in all cars today effectively capture particulate matter from ~0.7 to 74 µm, regardless of their source. Therefore, even all pollen and pollen particles should regularly prevent them from getting into the car with the windows closed and protect drivers suffering from pollen allergies. A clinical study showing the beneficial effect of car filters during car travel does not appear to have been published to date. On the other hand, there are studies showing that allergies are responsible for up to 7% of traffic accidents, including reflex closure of the eyelids during sneezing. However – even the best filters in cars wear out and it has been proven that the filtering effect of small particles (PM 2.5 ) in the outside air is reduced. Those with pollen allergies are recommended to change the filter approximately every 2 years.
Wear hats and glasses outdoors, choose suitable times for exercise
To be successful in the fight against allergies, you can wear a hat on your head and sunglasses to prevent pollen from entering your eyes. The use of masks and sunglasses that cover the sides of the eyes, especially in the spring months, are effective in controlling spring allergies. IDEAL TIME TO EXERCISE OUTDOORS Rain pushes pollen down. Exercising during a light rain can be one of the best times to be outdoors when you have allergies. Avoid smoking! Smoking triggers a stuffy, runny and itchy nose and watery eyes. With the arrival of spring, the time spent in public spaces, parks and gardens increases. While spending time outdoors, it is beneficial to stay away from smoking areas and choose non-smoking collective outdoor spaces, hotel rooms or restaurants. It should be noted that you should avoid other types of smoke that can increase your symptoms, such as fumes from a wood-burning fireplace and aerosol sprays. Follow the weather! Do not choose morning hours for walking The highest pollen count is usually in the morning when the sun starts to rise. For walking, you should prefer afternoon or late evening hours. If you have seasonal allergies, such as spring allergies, you should also follow local weather reports. higher pollen production
You can take precautions by noticing the wind that occurs during storms and the days when there is high temperature that causes hope. These days can possibly cause a phenomenon known as “storm asthma”. Asthmatics can show severe reactions, especially if they go out after the storm. The masks used during the Covid-19 period significantly reduced contact with pollen. Even if you spend time at a distance, especially these days, you can continue to wear a mask even outdoors.
USE EFFECTIVE MASK
COVID-era masks reduce contact with pollen. Many people seem to experience fewer seasonal allergy symptoms since wearing masks. It is safe to exercise while wearing a mask. Allergies should not complicate working with the mask, so if you have difficulty breathing you should seek help from a professional. Wearing a mask during the pollen season can be recommended as an effective non-pharmacological option for those with pollen allergies, especially on days when the pollen load is predicted to be high. In this way, pollen allergy sufferers will also have some benefit from wearing a mask against viruses (e.g. coronaviruses), bacteria or air pollution. Unless you have significant nasal congestion, only upper respiratory allergies should not cause too much trouble in breathing. If you have a breathing difficulty, you may need to be evaluated for the possibility of asthma. Clear your nose! In times of intense seasonal allergies, nasal rinsing for the nose can dilute the allergy symptoms in that area as well as clearing the mucus in your nose. In addition, it can remove thin mucus and bacteria and alleviate postnasal discharge. It will be helpful to gargle the nose frequently with water. Nose cleaning kits are available. You can prepare physiological saline solutions for washing the inside of the nose by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 liter of water. In addition, you can use more concentrated salt water hypertonic saline solutions. You can also prepare these waters with a measure of 2 teaspoons of salt per 1 liter of water. According to one study, the latter has a better effect. The effects of nasal irrigation once or twice a day are felt within the first 4 weeks of starting this practice. It is also important to note that nasal irrigation, in addition to drug therapy, can save approximately 30% on medication while providing the same level of symptom control.
EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS AGAINST ALLERGY
Nasal ointments, powders and oils can be used against pollen allergy (seasonal allergy). The application of ointments, powders or oils to the nasal mucosa is based on the idea that they act as a barrier to repel pollen absorbed into the nose or prevent allergens from entering the mucous membranes, thereby preventing inflammatory reactions and symptoms. Overall, numerous studies show that cellulose dust in the nose is an effective barrier against the penetration of allergens and airborne particulate matter. For these reasons, it may be beneficial for those with pollen allergy to use these ointments around the nose while we are outdoors. INTERNAL LIGHT (PHOTOTHERAPY) THERAPY AGAINST ALLERGY There are studies showing that intranasal phototherapy is beneficial. However, based on information from dermatology and general considerations of possible epithelial damage to mucous membranes, it should be noted that local application of UV light is not without risk, particularly on a mucosal surface where such application is not physiological. Therefore, it would not be right to recommend this method to every pollen allergy sufferer. Acupuncture AGAINST POLEN ALLERGY Acupuncture may be valuable for individuals with allergic rhinitis who do not respond adequately to standard drug therapy or who experience intolerable side effects. Presumably, the effect will largely depend on the experience of the acupuncturist and possibly the patient’s willingness to participate in the methodology.
