Avoiding Polynosis Exacerbation: Insights from Allergist-Immunologist Daria Amosova
Surviving Allergy Season with Expert Advice
Gear up, allergy sufferers! The challenging time of the year is finally here. We've sought guidance from none other than Dr. Dar'ya Ammosova, a renowned allergist-immunologist and Meritorious Doctor of Russia and Yakutia, who leads the respiratory rehabilitation center at the Republican State Budgetary Institution "Polyclinic 1."
Avoiding Pollen
Beware of the bloom schedule! Birch and alder trees start from late May to mid-June. By mid-June to mid-July, meadow grasses such as couch grass, quack grass, oats, and timothy take their turn. From mid-July up till the first frosts, weeds like wormwood and amaranth reign, known as irritants for allergic reactions.
A scorching summer awaits us, but for allergy sufferers, it's a double whammy as cooler weather tends to result in less severe reactions. To minimize contact with allergens, try spending more time indoors, take prescribed anti-allergy meds, wear hats and sunglasses, and give your face a good wash (a shower would be even better!) after venturing outdoors. Keep your windows shut, especially when levels of pollen are high in the early morning hours.
Stay away from foods that share similar proteins with the pollen you're allergic to – a condition known as cross-reacting foods. If you're allergic to birch, be cautious with stone fruits like apples, pears, cherries, and peaches, as well as nuts such as hazelnuts and almonds. Also, watch out for fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. If you're allergic to meadow grasses, be wary of cereals, beer, and hops. And avoid gourds, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil when allergic to weeds. Bin those herbal remedies like chamomile, thyme, and sage, too. Don't forget to stay clear of honey as well.
Protecting Children
Unfortunately, the incidence of allergies is rising across the globe. Nurture your little ones with breastmilk during their infancy as it's a powerful prevention method. For older children, keep them away from sweets, sugary drinks, chips, and crackers when possible – as they can derail the gut bacteria and potentially trigger allergic reactions.
Genes play a significant role in allergies: if at least one of the parents suffers from them, there's a possibility that the child may inherit the condition. It often starts with atopic dermatitis in infancy, progresses to allergic rhinitis, and in the teenage years, bronchial asthma may develop.
The most concerning complication is anaphylactic shock, which is commonly initiated by certain medications, such as local anesthetics, contrast agents, and antibiotics. If you have a history of allergies, it's crucial to be extra vigilant with these medications and to inform healthcare professionals about it.
Remember, medical care is essential to cope with allergies. Stay healthy and weather allergy season with ease!
Enrichment Insights:- Cross-Reacting Foods: Allergies are often associated with cross-reacting foods due to similarities in allergenic proteins, leading to conditions like oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Here are some common cross-reacting foods associated with different pollen allergies:
- Birch Pollen Allergy: Apples, cherries, plums, peaches, kiwis, carrots may cause reactions in individuals with birch pollen allergy.
- Meadow Grass Allergy: Grass pollen allergies can sometimes cause cross-reactivity with certain plant-based foods due to shared allergens, although specific cross-reacting foods are less commonly documented compared to other allergies.
- Weed Allergies (e.g., Ragweed): Bananas, cucumbers, melons may provoke allergic symptoms in those with ragweed allergy.
- Dr. Dar'ya Ammosova, a renowned expert, provides advice for allergy sufferers facing the challenging allergy season.
- Be mindful of bloom schedules, especially for birch and alder trees, meadow grasses, and weeds like wormwood and amaranth.
- A hot summer can exacerbate allergies for some, but cooler weather may lessen reactions for others.
- Minimize contact with allergens by spending more time indoors, taking medication, wearing hats and sunglasses, and washing or showering after outdoor activities.
- Keep windows shut, especially during high pollen hours in the early morning.
- Stay away from cross-reacting foods, such as apples, pears, cherries, and nuts, if allergic to birch.
- Be cautious with meadow grass-related foods, cereals, beer, and hops.
- Avoid gourds, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil when allergic to weeds.
- Stay away from herbal remedies like chamomile, thyme, and sage, as well as honey.
- Children are experiencing an increase in allergies worldwide.
- Breastmilk is a powerful prevention method during infancy.
- Avoid sweets, sugary drinks, chips, and crackers for older children to help prevent allergic reactions.
- Genes play a significant role in allergies; if a parent has allergies, there's a chance the child may develop them as well.
- Allergies can lead to complications like anaphylactic shock, often initiated by certain medications.
- Inform healthcare professionals about your allergy history to avoid complications with medications.
- Medical care is essential to cope with allergies.
- Maintaining health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, skin care, eye health, hearing, digestive health, cancer prevention, mental health, reproduction health, nutrition, aging, and workplace wellness, are all crucial aspects of dealing with allergy season.
