Pollen season strikes: pollen allergy, symptoms, treatment?

Have you heard about pollen season? And what is pollen allergy? How does it manifest itself?

If you have a hay fever problem, you are also familiar with the term pollen calendar or pollen reports.
They are important for keeping track of current allergens in the air.
For more information, read our article.

Allergic reactions are the most common disorder of the immune system. Because of their high incidence worldwide, they are considered a disease of civilization. Their danger lies in their sudden onset and the inability to know in advance how the condition will develop.

Allergies are seen to a greater extent in developed countries, where more than 20% of the population suffers from them.

The number of patients with a positive allergy history is on the rise. Children are no exception. In 2000, only around 0.5 to 10% of patients had allergies. This means that the number has at least doubled to date.

The manifestations and consequences of allergies vary depending on several factors. They can range from trivial reactions to severe ones. In some cases, when an anaphylactic reaction occurs, it ends in the death of the patient. More than half of these reactions occur quickly, without warning and outside a healthcare facility.

Interesting:
In young children, the most common form of allergy is atopic eczema. Teenagers and middle-aged people are more likely to suffer from hay fever (allergies to pollen, grasses, fungi, mites, animal hair, food, medicines...).

Pollen allergy is one of the most frequent forms of allergy in adolescence and adulthood. It affects mainly asthmatics, up to 80% of whom also have hay fever. Pollen grains are the most common allergen after grasses.

The disadvantage of pollen allergy is that it is difficult to avoid, especially during the season.

Pollen allergy is only part of a disease called "hay fever".

Pollen allergy is only a subcategory of allergic diseases, which are collectively known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever - technically called pollinosis. It is also known as allergic rhinitis. Pollinosis is caused by several allergens, the symptoms of which are identical. One of them is the pollen mentioned above.

A closer look at pollen grains. What are they?

Pollen grains (granum pollinis) are formed in the anthers of flowering plants for the sake of their further reproduction. The grains are invisible to the naked eye and measure about 0.05 mm in diameter. The smallest of them are found in the flowers of forget-me-nots and are only about 0.006 mm long.

They differ not only in size but also in shape, surface texture and colour.

Pollen consists of a large number of pollen grains. Just one stamen contains about 100 000. The pollen grains are actually male sex cells and during pollination they reach the stigma of the flower.

At the same time, in order to meet the criteria of an allergen, they must contain proteins that have the function of a so-called antigen. An antigen is a substance that triggers an immune reaction.

The grains are then transported by wind, water, insects (bees) or vertebrates. When the grains are transported by wind from the flower, many of them are dispersed into the air. It is these that most often cause allergic reactions. From the air, they very easily get on the skin, into the eyes, mouth, nose and even into the lungs of humans.

What happens in the human body when pollen comes into contact?

An allergic reaction does not occur in every person. Both external and internal factors are involved in its occurrence. Internal factors include abnormal reactivity of the immune system due to genetic predisposition.

External factors include direct exposure to the allergen.

Allergens, which include pollen, are simple low molecular weight substances in terms of their structure. They are classified as exogenous (external), incomplete antigens.

They are essentially harmless substances which only bind to proteins after entering the body, thus becoming complete antigens. They cause an unreasonable inflammatory reaction in the susceptible individual (allergic person).

In pollen allergies, this is specifically a type II immunopathological reaction.

It is essentially a defensive reaction. The body starts to defend itself against the foreign substance by producing antibodies, specifically immunoglobulins type E (IgE). Increased concentrations of these are commonly found in the blood of allergic people.

The following can happen after contact of pollen as an allergen with a living organism:

1. no reaction (normal response of the organism to contact with a foreign substance)
2. an allergic reaction (an exaggerated response of the organism to contact with a foreign substance)

How does pollen allergy manifest itself?

Since pollen grains are very small and their frequency and dispersion in the air is high, the manifestations of pollen allergy affect several systems simultaneously.

Contact of pollen with the skin causes local inflammation

Contact of pollen with the skin is very common due to its size. Local skin reactions in the form of eczema can be observed. The affected areas are red, rough and itchy.

Eczematous deposits occur in areas that have not been covered by clothing and also in areas where the skin is softer. The most common areas are the face, especially the cheeks, but also the scalp.

The upper and lower limbs, mainly the elbow and knee sockets, are often exposed in spring.

Tearing is caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva

Contact with the conjunctivae is somewhat easier to avoid by wearing glasses. However, this cannot be done all the time, or the glasses are simply forgotten.

This is when the pollen reacts with the mast cells of the conjunctiva and causes inflammation.

Externally, conjunctivitis manifests itself in severe itching and tearing of the eyes, which are red and slightly swollen.

The inflammatory reaction of the nasopharynx releases a watery secretion and clogs the nose

The inhaled air passes through the nasal cavity before entering the lungs with the pollen particles.

The function of the nose is mainly filtering to protect the lungs. Therefore, some particles get trapped here and trigger an inflammatory reaction with histamine release.

This process is manifested by constant sneezing and the production of watery secretions in the nose. Some particles either pass through the nasopharynx or enter the throat directly, causing it to scratch and itch, radiating to the ears.

Pollen allergy can trigger an asthmatic condition

Contact with the lungs and the subsequent manifestation of bronchial asthma does not occur in all patients with pollen allergy.

It is a more severe form of allergy. The bronchial tubes constrict, the patient feels short of air, breathing is difficult, coughing and whistling sounds are heard during breathing, similar to an asthma attack.

Interesting:
Despite avoiding the source of the allergen (tree, flower, grass), which is 100% virtually impossible, pollen can reach you. Pollen grains can travel hundreds of kilometres via the wind, often at altitudes of up to 5000 km.

Where and when the most pollen particles are found:

• Most pollen particles are found in the air during pollen season (spring, summer).
• most pollen particles are found in the air during sunny days and windy weather
• most pollen particles are found in the air around lunchtime and in the afternoon
• most pollen particles are found on the edges of forests

Interesting:
The least pollen particles are found in the air near water bodies and also especially after rain. But as everywhere, there is a catch. Low pollen concentrations in such weather are alternated by high concentrations of mould spores, which can also act as allergens in sensitive individuals.

How to protect yourself most effectively?

• During pollen season it is better to stay indoors (home, work) if possible, at least for the more severely allergic
• in the environment you live in, it is best to get an air purifier that captures pollen particles and filters the air
• it is not recommended to ventilate too much, it is better to close the windows or get a pollen net for the windows
• Walking in nature should be limited and eliminated in windy weather (the least pollen is in the air after rain or early in the morning)
• during critical periods of pollen exposure, it is advisable to shower more often (including the hair) to wash away allergens trapped on the body
• more frequent use of face creams, exposed skin and wearing glasses should be part of the lifestyleit is essential to take allergy medication as prescribed by a doctor
• if you have a prescribed breathing spray, it is unthinkable to go without it even for a step, especially if you know you have a more severe form of allergy