Three main flowering periods of plants with pollen are distinguished, which have allergenic properties:
| Plant group |
Period |
Representatives |
| trees |
April–May |
birch, alder, oak, poplar, walnut |
| cereals, meadow grasses |
June–July |
rye, wheat, oats, barley, couch grass, timothy-grass |
| weeds |
September |
ragweed, wormwood, quinoa |
Are there any differences in the frequency of allergic rhinitis in different regions?
Yes, such differences exist. The frequency of allergic rhinitis is influenced by anthropogenic factors, namely: pollution of air, water, and soil with chemicals. For example, in large industrial regions, environmental pollution extends the flowering periods of plants and changes the antigenic structure of pollen, contributing to an increase in its allergenicity. Industrial emissions such as ammonia, chlorine, fluorine, sulfites, nitrates, diesel fuel combustion products, and rubber dust from tires of a vast number of cars cause an intensification of pollen allergy. It has been proven that contaminated pollen is more aggressive and more capable of leading to allergic rhinitis.
In addition, the frequency of allergic rhinitis is also affected by the different nature of vegetation in different regions. Everyone knows the weed called ragweed, whose pollen is a powerful allergen. Ragweed flowering begins in late July or early August and continues until October.
In recent decades, the spread of ragweed has taken on the character of an ecological explosion, which is why this phenomenon has been called "ragweed plague." Today, ragweed grows in many regions. The total area of infestation, according to conservative estimates, covers massive territories. The largest areas are in southern and eastern industrial regions.
Interestingly, ragweed is not only a weed for agricultural crops; it is also widespread in man-made industrial regions: it is found not only along almost all roads but also in toxic slag heaps, metallurgical plants, and coal mine spoil tips. Recently, ragweed has spread into natural ecological niches: on steppe slopes, along sea sand spits, in settlements, and even in nature reserves.
What are the symptoms of pollen allergy?
A feature of pollen allergy is that its symptoms appear at practically the same time every year.
The symptoms are as follows:
Sneezing fits, nasal itching
Itching and redness of the eyes, tearing
Difficulty breathing (choke)
Whistling chest rales, dry cough
Skin rash (urticaria, eczema)
Should allergic rhinitis be treated, or can one simply "wait out" the flowering season?
Allergic rhinitis must be treated! This is a dangerous disease because, firstly, untreated
allergic rhinitis progresses. Starting as a spring or purely autumnal disease (i.e., associated
with the pollen of one specific group of plants), allergic rhinitis gradually becomes a
spring-summer-autumn disease, meaning the patient suffers for more than half the year.
Pollen allergy can cause allergic hives, Quincke's edema, and nasal polyposis. Furthermore,
30–40% of hay fever sufferers develop asthma attacks, effectively becoming patients with
bronchial asthma.
Allergic rhinitis is very often confused with a cold, which delays patients seeking
professional medical help, sometimes for many years. Therefore, anyone who has long-term
problems with nasal congestion, discharge, or unexplained itchy eyes should consult a
doctor instead of seeking relief in pharmacies.
In particular, one should not abuse vasoconstrictor nasal drops for allergic rhinitis,
as their uncontrolled use causes significant thickening of the nasal mucosa, leading to
dependency on the drops and eventually permanent nasal congestion.
How to treat allergies in children and adults? What to do if symptoms of allergic rhinitis occur?
Of course, see a doctor. Only a doctor will prescribe the necessary examination, make the
correct diagnosis, and prescribe appropriate treatment,
as well as recommend an allergy remedy. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate!
If a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is established, then during the flowering season of plants,
it is necessary to follow so-called elimination measures aimed at maximizing the limitation
of the patient's contact with pollen, which are listed below.
- Ventilate the room only after rain, in the evening, and when there is no wind. Whenever
possible, try not to go outside early in the morning and on dry hot days during periods
of peak pollen concentration. Upon returning from outside, it is recommended to change
clothes completely.
- Take a shower at least twice a day and immediately after returning from outside.
- Perform daily nasal hygiene, wash your eyes, and gargle with saline solution
(1/3 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm boiled water).
- Do not dry clothes outside (on the balcony) after washing, as pollen settles on them.
Perform wet cleaning in the apartment daily.
- Be sure to wear glasses outside to protect your eyes from direct contact with pollen.
- Be careful with herbal medicine! And generally with all substances (shampoos, creams)
and medications that contain plant extracts or components!
- Go on a diet! Nine out of ten people suffering from hay fever have allergies to certain
foods. This is due to the occurrence of "cross-reactive" allergies.
- In May, when trees are in bloom, try to avoid nuts (especially hazelnuts), honey,
carrots, tomatoes, and do not drink cognac (it is aged in oak barrels).
- In June-July, when grasses and meadow herbs bloom, cereals (except buckwheat), bread,
and honey should be excluded from the diet, and wheat vodka should be avoided.
- In August-September, it is necessary to refrain from consuming sunflower and its
products, as well as honey.
- If a person lives in an industrial city with a hot summer, the most ideal option
during the flowering period is to leave the city for an ecologically clean region.
