Hay fever

The cause of seasonal damage to the nerve endings of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, bronchi characterized by a profuse stream of secretion from the nose, lacrimation and, in some cases, accompanied by a light form of asthma, is an allergic reaction to pollen of plants. Sometimes this disease is called hay fever, although hay is not a determining factor, and the patient's condition has nothing to do with fever. This is due to the history of the discovery in 1819 of this disease by the English physician John Bostock, who suggested that it was associated with hay (some of its manifestations occur during haymaking). However, it was later found that the symptoms of fever cause very small pollen (up to 0.04 mm) of plants that are pollinated by wind. Larger particles can no longer penetrate the respiratory tract.

An allergic reaction caused by the pollen of some seasonal plants, known as hay fever, is most common during haymaking season. A tiny, barely perceptible pollen, the wind of polluted plants is the main reason. It does not represent the danger of pollen from plants pollinated by insects, since it is too large to remain in the air. The plants responsible for the occurrence of hay fever include trees: pine, birch, alder, cedar, walnut, hornbeam, horse chestnut, willow, linden. In northern latitudes, birch pollen is considered to be the most important allergen. Dangerous pollen of grasses (ryegrass perennial, foxtail meadow, timothy grass), as well as weeds (ragweed, plantain, nettle, wormwood, sorrel). However, manifestations of such a disease are possible throughout the year.

Now we know what happens when an allergen (in the form of pollen, dust or animal hair) is inhaled by a person with a sensitive immune system. In such individuals, the allergen causes the production of antibodies to immunoglobulin E (IgE), which binds to mast cells and basophils that produce histamine. When the allergy is caused by the pollen of several plants, it is called "pollinosis", and if the pollen is herbs, then this disease is known as hay fever, which is one of the most common allergic diseases. Usually it manifests itself in childhood or in adolescents, but can occur at any age. This condition is more common in boys than in girls. Adult men and women suffer with the same frequency.

The severity of the disease depends on certain atmospheric conditions and the amount of pollen in the air. The prevalence of catarrhal symptoms in the summer separates it from the common cold, and their combination with shortness of breath does not allow to confuse with asthma, which rarely coincides with any cold. Especially the risk of getting hay fever is especially high for people predisposed to some nervous diseases with a probable lesion in the fourth ventricle of the brain. For people with a curved nasal septum, hay fever is also dangerous. Symptoms completely go away (it is useful in most cases!) When removing from an unfavorable zone on the shore of the sea or in the mountains, and also during a sea voyage, since it is possible to avoid contact with pollen.

Hay fever, most likely, is observed with a family history of allergies, asthma or eczema. Sometimes it is possible to prevent symptoms of hay fever by taking some basic precautions. These include wearing sunglasses on the street, reducing the ingress of pollen in the eyes. Returning from the street, you need to change clothes and take a shower to remove pollen from the body. Try in a dangerous period when the concentration of pollen in the air is high, stay indoors, keep the windows and doors closed, change clothes more often. You should not smoke during this period, or be near smokers, keep alive flowers or animals in the house. Cleaning should be wet and regular. The lower part of the nostrils should be lubricated with a small amount of petroleum jelly, this can prevent the ingress of pollen into the nasal passages. Of course, it is very difficult to completely avoid the problem, but reducing the effects of the substances causing the disease should alleviate the symptoms.