Hay fever or pollen allergy is an allergy caused by pollen and pollen. Hay fever is particularly common in the spring. Typical symptoms include watery eyes, burning eyes, sneezing and runny nose.
Causes of hay fever
The current pollen calendar. Click to enlarge. Download here to print. The cause of hay fever or pollen allergy is found in an allergic reaction triggered by pollen and pollen. If the pollen comes into contact with the mucous membranes, such as eyes and nose, an overreaction of the immune system is triggered. In particular, the resulting defensive substances or antibodies then very quickly release inflammatory messengers (histamines). As a rule, this is followed by an enlargement of the blood vessels and a constriction of the airways, especially the bronchial tubes. The histamines then attract other defense cells, which can then cause eye inflammation, watering eyes, burning eyes, itching eyes or conjunctivitis of the eye. Likewise, sneezing, sneezing attacks, nasal itching, runny nose, stuffy nose or dry nasal mucosa is often triggered by the overreaction of the immune system. The following pollen or flowering plants are most responsible for hay fever: rye, birch, alder, hazelnut bushes, and various herbs, such as mugwort. However, various foods can also trigger hay fever: Hazelnuts, apples, walnut, potato, dill, celery, carrots, peanuts, kiwi and sometimes cherries.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Hay fever manifests itself on the basis of itching and burning or watery eyes. The eyes swell shortly after contact with the allergen and are sensitive to touch and other stimuli. In addition, conjunctivitis often develops. In addition, hay fever causes itching in the nose or nasopharynx. The nose is blocked or sore and there is the characteristic runny nose and frequent sneezing attacks. In addition, sufferers often feel tired and weary. The typical “heavy head” is accompanied by a poor sense of well-being and the familiar symptoms of fever. The symptoms increase during the course of the disease before subsiding again after a few days to weeks. In children, hay fever manifests itself with similar symptoms. Affected children sniffle constantly, complain of itching in the nose and breathe conspicuously frequently through the mouth. Excessively loud snoring occurs at night. Speech is nasal and slurred as a result of the blocked nose. Affected children also complain of severe thirst in the morning. Typically, the eyes are sticky and the nose is blocked. Parents who notice corresponding symptoms should take their child to the pediatrician immediately.
Course of the disease
The course of hay fever or poele allergy often begins in early life. Especially children and adolescents suffer statistically more often from hay fever than adults. Furthermore, hay fever can recur or persist throughout life. Nevertheless, hyposensitization can alleviate and contain the symptoms that occur. If the hay fever is not treated, the allergic reactions can cause massive symptoms. It can then come to conjunctivitis or asthma, which would not have occurred with treatment in the first place. The older the sufferer gets, the more stable their hay fever becomes and the symptoms remain less intense.
Complications
Hay fever is an allergy that is associated with different complications. However, those who leave hay fever without any treatment naturally face different complications. Most people suffer from a blocked nose, watery eyes and long-lasting headaches. Without any treatment, those affected must accordingly reckon with a considerable aggravation of the individual symptoms. The following therefore applies: hay fever can be quickly alleviated with the right medication. However, a permanent elimination of the occurring symptoms is not possible. Nevertheless, an appropriate doctor should be consulted in case of hay fever. Only in this way can possible complications be avoided or recognized and treated at an early stage. If this is not done, it can even lead to considerable sleep disturbances in particularly bad cases.The nose becomes clogged with mucus, so that the quality of life of the affected person is immensely reduced.
When should you go to the doctor?
A doctor should be consulted as soon as the affected person sneezes frequently or is subjected to sudden sneezing attacks. In the case of persistent sniffles, a runny nose or a permanent tingling in the nose, a check-up visit to a doctor is recommended. A conspicuous cough, scratchy throat or persistent tiredness despite sufficient sleep at night should also be clarified. If the eyes are watering, itching or burning, a doctor should be consulted. If there is redness or open sores on the eyelids, a doctor should be consulted. There is a risk of further illness. If conjunctivitis develops, a doctor should be consulted immediately. Skin redness, swelling or a rash on the skin, should be examined as well as treated. If there is a feeling of fatigue, a loss of general performance level, as well as weakness, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If the affected person suffers from sleep disturbances, a loss of concentration or impaired attention, a medical examination is necessary. If a loss of smell or taste perception is noticed, the observations should be discussed with a physician. Disturbances in breathing, hoarseness or a pressure in the chest must be presented to a physician. If the complaints persist for several weeks, increase in intensity or occur repeatedly, a visit to the doctor is necessary.
Treatment and therapy
Prick test is an allergy test to check allergic reaction to pollen or animal hair. In this test, possible allergic substances are dripped onto the skin, which is then lightly pricked with a lancet. After 20 minutes, the redness of the skin and the size of the wheal are assessed. If hay fever is suspected, a doctor should be consulted. Above all, the annoying accompanying symptoms can be medically alleviated or reduced. The doctor will do an allergy test and determine to which pollen, food or plants the affected person shows allergic reactions. Now the therapy should try to minimize or completely stop the contact with the triggering pollen. However, this is not always possible. Nevertheless, it is advisable to seek medical advice on what can be done in this regard. It is also possible to perform desensitization or hyposensitization with the help of specific immunotherapy. In this immunotherapy, the physician injects allergens under the skin. The goal is to adapt the immune system to these substances and stimuli so that strong allergic stimuli no longer occur. This therapy generally lasts up to three years. Alternatively, this method can be administered in the form of drops or tablets containing pollen solution. In this case, the allergens are administered in drop form under the tongue. However, both methods may cause harmless side effects, such as swelling, itching and reddening of the skin.
Aftercare
Existing hay fever is usually caused by allergy, so follow-up care is not conditionally necessary. Often, affected individuals suffer from existing hay fever since birth. By taking freely available medications, the hay fever or its symptoms can be effectively controlled. The nose stops running and the eyes do not swell up at all. The course is different if the person concerned decides not to take such medication at all. In such a case, the symptoms of common hay fever will increase considerably. Especially in spring, a strong aggravation of the occurring symptoms is to be expected. Meadows and fields should be avoided, especially in spring. Otherwise, the typical symptoms of hay fever will appear. However, a visit to the doctor is always advisable, because with appropriate aftercare, the symptoms that occur can be significantly alleviated. Nasal rinses, for example, are a sensible and effective measure that the affected person can take himself as aftercare. A cure, by taking a specific medication once, unfortunately does not exist as things stand.
Outlook and prognosis
Patients with hay fever are subject to a chronic disease. It comes to a lifelong impairment and permanent treatment, so that the symptoms are relieved.With early treatment, most complications can be avoided. The risk of developing further allergies is significantly increased in those affected. In many cases, an allergic reaction to other substances such as pollen or food occurs. The vulnerability for the development of allergic asthma is given in hay fever. It is estimated that 30-40% of patients develop allergic asthma as the disease progresses. With medical care, the symptoms of hay fever can be well treated and contained. The respiratory tract is adequately protected and can counteract further disease. In addition to conventional medical options, sufferers can achieve an improvement in their symptoms by using natural remedies. For an optimal prognosis, the restructuring of the general lifestyle contributes to a great extent. The respiratory tract should not be subjected to additional stress and stress or bad environmental influences should be avoided. If no treatment is taken, there is normally a steady increase in the symptoms. The intensity of the existing symptoms increases and the shortness of breath increases. Paying attention to the pollen prognosis, the patient can avoid strong stress situations in time.
This is what you can do yourself
Hay fever sufferers can take some measures to alleviate their suffering. This is especially true during the pollen season. One of the most important self-help options is consistent allergen abstinence. This means that while the pollen is flying, the allergy sufferer avoids prolonged stays outdoors as much as possible. An exception is the period after a rain shower or thunderstorm. In this way, the air is free of pollen during this period. It is also advisable to close the windows when driving. It is also considered helpful to purchase a pollen filter, because the ventilation system retains a large part of the pollen. Proper ventilation of the home is recommended. The main flight times of the pollen should be taken into account. In the countryside, for example, pollen flies between five and six o’clock in the morning, and in the city in the morning. The best time to air your home is therefore between 7 p.m. and midnight, and between six and eight a.m. in the city. If pollen allergy sufferers want to exercise outdoors, they should also do so at these times. To ensure that as little pollen as possible gets into the bedroom, it is advisable to wash the hair shortly before going to bed. Clothing worn during the day should be taken off outside the bedroom. Cut flowers and plants in the home are taboo for allergy sufferers. Another useful self-help method is the application of nasal rinses with saline solutions such as Emser salt. It is important to match the salt solution to the condition of the nasal mucosa.
