Spring has arrived, allergy is coming.
A cleaning woman (Photo: ShutterStock, New Africa)
Spring is already on its way, and in addition to the impressive blossoms we've experienced, the air is filled with pollen from cypress, grass, sage, olive and pecan trees that cause many of the country's residents to have annoying allergies that include tingling, runny nose, itching and more.
So next to the beauty of the rash and the relatively pleasant weather, there are some less desirable types of reactions:
1. Allergy symptoms of the "hay fever" type
- at least 20% of the population in Israel are known to be allergic to the rash, but even in people who are not known to be allergic, symptoms such as a runny nose can appear during this period , cough, redness/itching of the eyes, burning/itching of the throat, headache, itchy skin or rash.
In severe cases, hoarseness, real shortness of breath, and even asthma attacks can develop.
On days when the air is also dry, these symptoms may worsen.
2. Tingling and skin irritations
- Like the flowers, the insects also enjoy the spring and reproduce endlessly.
The air is full of insects of various kinds - beetles, wasps, mosquitoes, beetles, spiders and more.
These can sting and cause a skin reaction in and around the area of the bites, and when there is an itch, the mere scratching may lead to worsening of the local rash and symptoms.
Children, who tend to itch even more than adults, often have more significant symptoms and these bites can become infected.
In people with a tendency to allergic skin rash, or "asthma of the skin", these symptoms may worsen significantly during this period.
At least 20% of the population in Israel are known to be allergic to the rash.
A woman blowing her nose (Photo: ShutterStock)
so what are we doing?
We cannot and do not want to eliminate the blossoming around us.
At the same time, we must be aware of the timing of the spring blossoms, usually between March and May, and know how to attribute the symptoms to this period and thus make the correct diagnosis and use the appropriate treatment.
Regarding the insects, it is better not to wait until we and our children are full of bites, but in advance to stock up on an insect repellent for daily use.
In addition, we will ensure proper and complete nets on the windows of our house, devices to repel insects (electrical or other) in the bedrooms and more.
In the courtyards of the house you can light citronella candles that repel insects, and for the brave among us - you can eat fresh garlic which is known to repel mosquitoes.
In addition, you can use mosquito repellent preparations to apply on the surface of the skin.
If you develop symptoms that could correspond to a seasonal allergy, you must contact your treating doctor in order to diagnose and receive the necessary treatment - whether topical to the skin or eyes, or whether anti-allergy medications given by ingestion.
If necessary, and depending on the severity of the situation, you may be referred for a consultation with an allergy specialist, to perform allergy tests or additional tests and to receive additional treatments.
Since during this period the symptoms appear due to environmental factors and not necessarily infectious ones, it is very important that both the attending physician and the patients, with a true understanding of the symptoms, begin appropriate and effective treatment, and avoid unnecessary treatments and medications (such as antibiotics, if they are not needed).
Dr. Gal Neuman is a Maccabi pediatrician and clinical pharmacologist
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