Allergies and pollinosis nasi

What are the symptoms of allergies?

Some affected allergy sufferers experience these symptoms all year round.

Symptoms that can be caused by allergies are itchy eyes, runny nose, nasal pressure, nasal congestion and, in isolated cases, headaches. Some people experience changes in hearing, sore throats, hoarseness and coughing. Less common are symptoms such as swelling of the face or throat, skin irritation or even breathing problems and asthma.

Some affected allergy sufferers experience these symptoms all year round. For others, the attacks are seasonal. The most successful way to get the symptoms under control is to use several treatment options simultaneously. This includes avoiding the allergens, treating the symptoms with medication and desensitization/immunization by injecting allergens.

How can allergies develop?

Allergies are rarely life-threatening, but they are often the cause of lost working days, reduced efficiency at work and a lower quality of life. Allergy sufferers often develop sinus or respiratory tract infections if symptoms are not controlled. If you consider the total amount of money spent on medication to combat allergies or the money lost due to lost working hours, allergies cannot exactly be brushed aside as a minor problem. Allergic rhinitis used to be known as hay fever because field workers would get sniffles and suffer from nasal and sinus congestion. Hay fever, asthma and skin symptoms are the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Allergic symptoms occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a foreign body as if it were a dangerous intruder – called an antigen or allergen. It reacts by sending certain protectors – called antibodies – to the site of entry of the foreign body. The battle between allergen and antibody results in the release of chemical messengers, such as histamines, into the bloodstream. These chemical messengers cause changes in the body that result in the symptoms we feel.

What can cause an allergic reaction?

Due to their chemical composition, some substances are more likely to trigger an allergy in humans. Pollen, food, mold, dust, feathers, animal dander, chemicals, medications such as penicillin as well as pollutants in the air cause allergic reactions in many people. Hay fever is caused by pollen. This is why the disease is also called pollinosis. At the beginning of spring, hay fever is often caused by pollen from trees such as elm, field maple, birch, poplar, beech, ash, oak, walnut, sycamore, cypress and alder. Some allergens are always there. These include house dust, pet dander, food, wool, various household chemicals and many more. The symptoms caused by these substances are particularly pronounced in winter, when the house is usually closed. Mold spores cause at least as many allergy problems as pollen. Mold is present all year round, and it grows both outside and inside the house. Dead leaves and farm areas are common sources of outdoor mold. Potted plants, old books, bathrooms and areas with a lot of steam are the most common places where mold develops in the home. Mold is also often found in foods such as cheese or fermented drinks. Colorful or fragrant flowering plants rarely cause allergies because their pollen is too heavy to be carried by the air.

Which medications are used?

A certain number of medications are proving to be very useful in the treatment of allergies. These include antihistamines, sprays that reduce swelling in the nose, steroid sprays and saline sprays. The medical management of allergies also includes advice on the correct way to deal with the environment. Based on a detailed medical history and examinations, your doctor would be able to order tests to determine which substances you are allergic to. If you have a cold, a runny or blocked nose or itchy eyes, antihistamines can be useful. Possible side effects of antihistamines are drowsiness, tiredness or dryness in the mouth and nose. If the nose is blocked, decongestant medication can help. Side effects may include a racing heart or insomnia.

The treatments used by the ear, nose and throat specialist depend on the substances you are allergic to and the severity of the allergic reaction. The only “cure” available for allergies caused by inhalation are injections that lead to the production of protective antibodies against specific allergens (pollen, molds, animal dander, dust, etc.). Your doctor will monitor your progress and treat any other nasal and sinus problems that may be responsible for your symptoms.

What can you do to prevent allergies yourself?

Close doors and windows during pollen seasons. Clear your house of potted plants and other nesting places for mold. The Ficus benjamini plant in particular is unfavorable for allergy sufferers. Do not allow animals that shed dander into your home (especially cats, dogs, etc.). Swap feather pillows, woolen blankets and woolen clothing for cotton or synthetic materials. Seal mattresses, sheets and pillows in plastic wrap. Only take antihistamines and decongestants in the prescribed amounts. In general, follow good healthy habits such as daily exercise, stop smoking, avoid air pollution, eat a balanced diet, take extra vitamins, especially vitamin C. Consider buying a humidifier in winter. Dry, warm air in closed rooms bothers many allergy sufferers. Do not forget to clean the humidifier regularly.

How can you help?

Medication can be a great help if used correctly. Immunotherapy is the only treatment method that can provide lasting relief or even a cure for allergies. However, before you start injecting, you should undergo an allergy test. Drug treatment should be carried out in consultation with your ear, nose and throat specialist.

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