To prevent pollen allergy, attention must be paid to reducing individual risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Repeated exposure to the triggering allergens. Allergen abstinence If an allergy to pollen, dust mites, animal dander or mold is detected, or if there is a food allergy, those affected should avoid the triggers to prevent the onset of … Pollen Allergy: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate a pollen allergy: Asthmatic complaints Eye watering, eye itching Runny nose, stuffy nose Frequent sneezing Coughing irritation Conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis) Allergy to pollen may cause one of the following cross-reactions (cross-allergy): Mugwort pollen Potatoes Apples, kiwi, lychee, mango, melon Artichoke, cucumber, carrot, bell bell pepper, celery, tomato. Peanuts, sunflower … Pollen Allergy: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Pollen allergy is triggered by inhaled allergens seasonally. The allergens cause immediate-type allergy (synonyms: Type I allergy, type I allergy, type I immune reaction, immediate allergic reaction). This is characterized by a rapid response of the immune system (within seconds or minutes) upon second contact with the allergen. The initial contact, … Pollen Allergy: Causes
General measures Avoid contact with the triggering allergens. Allergy card always carry with you Measures to take in case of pollen allergy The following measures are designed to reduce pollen contact: Keep windows closed – in the morning hours the pollen concentration is highest in the countryside, in the evening hours in the city; therefore, … Pollen Allergy: Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Nasal endoscopy (nasal endoscopy; nasal cavity endoscopy) possibly with biopsy (tissue sampling). Sonography (ultrasound examination) of the paranasal sinuses – if sinusitis (sinusitis) is suspected. Computed tomography (sectional imaging … Pollen Allergy: Diagnostic Tests
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of pollen allergy. Family history What is the general health of your relatives? Are there any diseases in your family that are common? Social history What is your profession? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). What symptoms have you noticed? Do … Pollen Allergy: Medical History
Respiratory System (J00-J99) Rhinosinusitis – inflammation of the nose and sinuses, nonallergic. Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93). Food allergy Food intolerance (food intolerance) Factors that affect health status and lead to health care utilization. Allergies to unspecified antigens (e.g., chemicals, house dust mites, wood dust, intramural fungi, flour dust, food, plant … Pollen Allergy: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by pollen allergy: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Bronchial asthma (pollen asthma; risk of disease in pollinosis (allergic rhinitis) is 3.2 times higher than in healthy individuals) Chronic sinusitis (sinusitis). Tympanic effusion (synonym: seromucotympanum) – accumulation of fluid in … Pollen Allergy: Secondary Diseases
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing) of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye). Health check
Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests. Allergy diagnostics – Various allergy tests can be performed to determine whether hay fever is present: In the prick test (skin test; method of choice): in this test, the allergens in question are applied in droplet form to the forearms. A thin needle is then … Pollen Allergy: Test and Diagnosis
Therapy target Improvement of the symptomatology Therapy recommendations Allergen abstinence (avoiding contact with the triggering allergens). In addition to allergen abstinence, specific immunotherapy (SIT; synonyms: allergen-specific immunotherapy, hyposensitization, allergy vaccination) should be performed as early as possible for causative therapy. Prior to this, proof of the clinical relevance of sensitization detected in the allergy test … Pollen Allergy: Drug Therapy
