How do you prevent the most disturbing phenomenon of the season?

Just when we thought the corona and winter sickness were behind us, we went back to sneezing, this time for other reasons.

Why is the allergy most common in the spring and can it be prevented before it occurs?

Our doctor explains

Dr. Liora Barzag Pro

18/04/2022

Monday, 18 April 2022, 08:19 Updated: 08:28

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The girl who does not stop sneezing (story checked by Walla)

Although allergies do not only occur in the spring, in the flowering season more people suffer from seasonal allergies.

This is mainly due to the appearance of flower pollens that cause seasonal allergies, or by its other name "hay fever".

This is the season when we see people (it is estimated that about 12-25 percent of the people in the world suffer from one allergy or another) with a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and the sound of clearing their throat in an attempt to scratch.

The intensity of the reaction varies from person to person and can be expressed from a mild stimulus to a severe and life-threatening reaction.

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To the full article

What exactly is an allergy?

Allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a substance foreign to our body, such as an insect toxin, a particular food, detergent or medication.

When a person suffers from allergies, the immune system produces antibodies that identify a particular allergen as dangerous, even though it is not really such and does not harm other people.

The reaction in these people is an allergy that manifests itself in itching, inflammation of the skin, sinuses and airways or in the digestive tract.

Everything is itchy.

Woman rubs her eyes (Photo: ShutterStock)

What causes allergies?

The most significant cause of seasonal allergy is flower pollen, but trees, grass and dust can also cause it.

The immune system is "wrong" and thinks the pollen (or other allergen) is dangerous and produces antibodies that attack the allergen.

The antibodies encourage the release of a substance called histamine into the bloodstream, which is the substance that actually causes the familiar symptoms.

How is allergy diagnosed?

Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know that they will suffer mainly in the spring when there is flowering of many plants, days with winds that will cause the pollen to migrate, and days when the air is dry and the pollen does not sink to the ground as a result.

In addition, pollen migrates a very large distance, so it is not a plant that necessarily grows in the residential neighborhood that causes allergies.

The diagnosis of the allergy is made by a special test in which a large number of different allergens are inserted under the skin and examine which one causes a local skin reaction.

The allergen is injected in a very small amount and diluted and therefore does not cause a significant reaction as in exposure to a large amount.

Sometimes you will also take a blood test to detect certain antibodies to the allergen.

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What can be done to reduce pollen exposure?

• It is best to stay indoors on days when the air is dry and there are winds, the pollen load is high especially in the morning

• It is best to close windows and doors throughout the spring to prevent pollen from entering the home.

  Sometimes an air freshener also sticks

• Clean dust from fans, bookshelves and other places where dust and dust may accumulate

• It is best to wash your head when entering back home, the stamens tend to stay glued to the hair

• Vacuum, but put on a mask while pumping

Is there any drug treatment?

While most allergies can not be cured, medication can certainly relieve symptoms.

Allergy treatment will be topical according to the allergy (topical steroids in nasal spray or eye drops) or systemic treatment by antihistamines (antihistamines, which are the substance in the blood that causes the reaction).

There is also a selection of natural remedies that can be taken, rinses nose with salt water that sometimes help and also a substance called quercetin found in onions, apples and green tea, and in several studies has been shown to be a natural antihistamine.

It is always best to consult a doctor before taking any of the mentioned medications.

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