What Is Seasonal Allergy?
Seasonal allergy is also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis and is a condition that occurs in many people with the arrival of the spring months. It manifests itself with symptoms such as constant nasal discharge, sneezing, lacrimation. Outdoor activities might be difficult for the person due to the increase in pollen during this period. Pollen spread by the wind is the main cause of seasonal allergies. Newly mown grass and pollen released from here may also trigger allergies. Allergic rhinitis alone is a condition that can be treated with methods such as allergy medications and immunotherapy, but it should be considered that these people are more likely to experience sinusitis or asthma. If necessary, it is useful to consult with a specialist immunologist.
What is Seasonal Allergy?
Allergic rhinitis is divided into seasonal (hay fever) and perennial (continuous) rhinitis. The type seen in spring is seasonal allergic rhinitis. Allergy is the exaggerated response of the immune system to substances that are not harmful to the body. These substances that cause allergies are called allergens.
Seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction caused by ingestion of airborne allergens into the body through the mouth or nose. These allergens are mostly pollen released from trees, grass and flowers during the spring and summer seasons. With their entry into the body, mast cells, which are the immune system cells of the body, secrete histamine. Secreted histamine causes symptoms such as nasal discharge, itching, lacrimation and eye redness. Sinusitis, fatigue, bruises under the eyes might be seen in the person. Seasonal allergies may trigger asthma in people who have an extreme reaction.
What are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergy?
The symptoms might be confused with common cold. In seasonal allergy, when the allergen is removed, the symptoms stop and the person is relieved, but they continue in the common cold.
The following symptoms are usually seen:
Headache caused by the filling of the sinuses
Nasal congestion and postnasal discharge experienced due to increased mucus (accumulation of mucus in the throat, formation of sputum)
Sore throat
Nasal discharge
A general feeling of discomfort
Itchy nose, redness of the nose due to scratching or wiping
A general feeling of tiredness, a desire to sleep
An allergic reaction due to the upper respiratory tract may manifest itself with these types of symptoms. It can be seen at any age, but it is common in the transition from childhood to adolescence.
Is Seasonal Allergy Contagious?
Allergies are not a disease caused by viruses or bacteria. It is the body's reaction to certain substances. Bacterial-caused conditions such as the common cold show similar symptoms and are contagious, but seasonal allergies are not contagious.
When Does Seasonal Allergy Occur?
The pollen density is very variable. It depends on the natural environment where a person lives. The type and number of trees found and the presence of plants that can produce pollen affect the triggering of seasonal allergies. A person with seasonal allergies should take precautions accordingly and go out during the hours when there is less wind and pollens float less.
Seasonal allergies occur seasonally when trees and flowers begin to spread their pollen. This season varies from country to country and according to the ecosystem. Pollen density may vary within the same country, in different provinces, in different months. It is common in April, May, June, July.
How is the Seasonal Allergy Diagnosed?
The person should consult an allergy and immunology specialist for suspected allergy symptoms in the spring. In the detailed history to be taken, it is questioned when and in which environments symptoms such as nasal discharge occur. The doctor examines the conditions of edema and postnasal discharge caused by the increase in mucus in the nose. Some further examinations may be performed to confirm the diagnosis. These are allergy tests and examinations such as taking a swab sample from the nose.
Skin allergy test is common. In this test, which is harmless and does not require blood collection, the person's forearm is usually used. The patient's skin is scratched and it is determined where the allergens will be applied. After this procedure, 10-20 allergens are applied by turning into a solution. After about half an hour, it is considered that the person is allergic to the substances applied to the areas where urticaria (skin allergy) occurs on the skin.
Does Seasonal Allergy Occur in Babies?
Babies can also experience seasonal allergies just like adults. However, it is not seen much under the age of 2-3. The presence of allergic rhinitis in the parents increases the risk of its occurrence in the baby as well. Careful observation of the parent is important for it to be noticed. Symptoms such as sneezing, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge and itchy eyes are common. Especially for the babies who walk outside, in the park, in the garden to get air, these symptoms should be suspected. An appointment should be made with a pediatric allergy specialist.
Antihistamines and cortisol sprays are not conveniently given to babies. The best treatment is to protect the baby by keeping it away from areas where there are a lot of allergens. In spring and summer months, it is recommended that the windows should not be opened too much and the sheets should be changed and washed against the possibility of pollen sticking to the sheets.
How Does Seasonal Allergy Heal?
There are many treatment options for the treatment of seasonal allergies. Changes in lifestyle can be made. Ways of protection from allergens are tried. To strengthen the immune system, vitamin supplements should be taken, plenty of water should be drunk and regular nutrition is required.
In addition, medication is given. Anti-allergic (anti-allergen) antihistamine aims to suppress the patient's immune system and decrease histamine production. Thus, the person has fewer symptoms and relief is provided.By giving cortisone nasal sprays, symptoms such as nasal discharge and itching are reduced. Decongestants may be prescribed to relieve nasal congestion. In some preparations, decongestants can be combined with antihistamines.
Can Seasonal Allergies Be Solved With Surgery?
Nose surgery is not a way to permanently solve seasonal allergies. Surgery may be recommended to relieve symptoms. A seasonal allergy that develops in a person who is already having difficulty breathing caused by nasal flesh may lead to shortness of breath. For this reason, the concha surgery can be performed. As a result of the surgery, the surface area that the allergen is in contact and reacts to in the nose also decreases and this results in less reaction in the person. Thus, the person's medication dose can be reduced, the quality of life increases and breathing becomes easier.
Since a problem in the shape of the nose might also have a negative effect on allergies, rhinoplasty is beneficial. However, seasonal allergy cannot be completely healed by surgery.
Is There a Vaccine Treatment for Seasonal Allergies?
The treatment in which allergy vaccines are performed is examined under the branch of immunotherapy. It is a long process and is performed in cases where the allergy cannot be controlled with medication. The aim is to investigate the reaction of the person's body to this allergen by giving the allergen that the person is sensitive to starting from the minimum dose and increasing doses. Mild side effects may be observed at first. If a serious reaction occurs, you should go to the nearest health center.
The allergy vaccine is both therapeutic and protective. Vaccine treatment for allergic rhinitis should be carried out at an early stage of the disease. Not every patient may be eligible for vaccine treatment. Vaccine treatment is not performed in severe asthma patients, children under the age of 5, and those with cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Does Seasonal Allergy Affect the Lungs?
Obstructive pulmonary diseases that block the lungs with an increase in mucus, similar to the increase in mucus seen in seasonal allergies, are asthma, COPD and bronchiectasis. Seasonal allergies might cause damage to the lungs by triggering the asthma.
Bronchiectasis is a permanent enlargement of the bronchi with destruction of the bronchi leading to the lungs. Allergic asthma is also likely to be accompanied by bronchiectasis, and this may lead to lung destruction. Seasonal allergies alone do not cause severe damage to the lungs.
Does Seasonal Allergy Cause Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that blocks the airways and therefore makes it difficult to breathe. The body responds to allergens such as dust, smoke, and pollen by contracting airway muscles, increasing mucus, and narrowing the airway. It manifests itself with coughing, wheezing breath, chest tightness and is experienced in episodes.
Most asthma is caused by allergies. Uncontrolled, untreated seasonal allergy is one of the important risk factors that cause asthma.
A seasonal allergy might trigger asthma, but a person may think that a seasonal allergy is asthma. The biggest differences are the appearance of symptoms such as itching in allergies, shortness of breath in the morning in asthma and waking up with a cough.
If you suspect that you have a seasonal allergy, do not delay making your checks, there is a department of Immunology and Allergy Diseases at Liv Hospital.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
