Summer allergies. What to do? The main summer allergens: what dangers lie in June, July and August

In spring, with the onset of the first warm days, everything wakes up and comes to life: the snow melts, fresh green leaves appear, the first flowers, etc. With the onset of summer, allergies to pollen intensify, because... There are more and more flowering plants. The allergy sufferer’s body has not yet had time to recover from the first spring flowers, and here the fragrance of summer flowers is added. And again drops and tablets are used, causing serious damage to health, because any medicine of chemical origin has a lot of side effects, which can appear even years later. As a result, it turns out that by trying to get rid of allergies, we are crippling our health.

Today, allergies can be triggered by almost everything: from animal fur to plant pollen and poplar fluff. Flying allergens are the most insidious, since it is more difficult to protect your body from them. Being in the air and often invisible, they strive to get into the respiratory tract and disrupt familiar image life. Burning, itching, tearing and nasal congestion are not the most pleasant companions of a modern person who is in perpetual motion. In addition, constant attacks of allergies sharply reduce protective function body. During this period, it is much easier to catch a cold or infection. In spring and summer, allergies worsen even in those who suffer not from plant pollen, but from dust, animal hair, etc. This happens because in central Russia the earth finally dries out after the snow melts and tons of dust rise into the air, pets begin to molt from the onset of heat, and the aromas of flowering plants enhance the effect.

Throughout the twentieth century, scientists tried to find a way to get rid of allergies: many drugs were created. But, as you know, best treatment- this is prevention. To prevent a disease from occurring, its cause must be eliminated, i.e. To get rid of allergies, the easiest way is to eliminate the appearance of the allergen itself in the life of a sick person.

Protect yourself from unpleasant symptoms allergies that occur in spring, summer and throughout the year and weakened immunity can be in a simple way- buy an air purifier. It is he who can forever rid you of the presence of allergens in the inhaled air. The operation of the device is that a powerful flow created by a fan draws polluted air into the air purifier. Passing through a multi-stage filtration system, at each stage the air is cleaned of allergens different sizes. The device returns to the room clean and Fresh air By inhaling it, you don’t have to worry about a sudden exacerbation of allergies either in summer or winter.

Today, manufacturers offer a variety of models of air purifiers with different ways removal of allergens.

Which air purifier is best to choose to get rid of allergies?

Air washing

Air washing can not only rid the air in your home of pollen, dust, and hair, but also humidify it to a favorable level. The washers do not require replacement filters and are easy to use. It is enough to fill a special tank with water and turn on the device: a powerful adjustable fan will draw in polluted air and drive it through the rotating drum. All dirt will stick to the wet moving blades and will be washed away with water, and the escaping air will saturate the room with moisture and freshness. Air washing is suitable for you if you want to get rid of allergies to house dust, pollen, animal hair and other mechanical contaminants. But it will not be able to cope with mold, dust mites and other organic allergens, as well as chemicals. The degree of removal of dust and other allergens up to 0.3 microns in size by air washes reaches 85-90%.

Electrostatic air purifier

A corona charge is applied to the metal plates built into the air purifier, attracting dust, pollen, poplar fluff and pet hair from the air. With this cleaning technology, active oxygen is released, which effectively fights mold, plant spores and dust mites. If you decide to buy an electrostatic air purifier to get rid of allergies, remember that the advantage of electrostatic air purifiers is the absence of replaceable filters, but this is also their disadvantage, because... degree of removal of dust and other microparticles up to 0.3 microns in size, causing allergies, in most cases does not exceed 85-91%.

Air purifier with HEPA filter

The porous HEPA filter will purify the air by 99.97% of particles up to 0.03 microns in size; this is the smallest dust, pollen, plant spores invisible to the eye, microscopic dust mites and their metabolic products, fluff, wool and even bacteria, which also sometimes become the cause. allergies in summer and winter. An air purifier with a HEPA filter is the best answer to the question of how to get rid of allergies. Providing a maximum degree of purification of 99.97% (and True-hepa filters raise this figure to 99.99%), this air purifier will maximally protect you from allergens entering the respiratory tract and causing allergy attacks.

The best option for any allergy sufferer would be if the selected air purifier, in addition to the main filter, has the functions of photocatalysis and ionization. It is photocatalysis that most effectively destroys all organic and chemical allergens. Oxidizing agents produced under the influence of ultraviolet light damage the shell of organic allergens, gradually causing their death. This destroys dust mites, mold, bacteria and viruses.

Chemicals that can also cause allergies. In the process of photocatalysis, they decompose during chemical reaction to simpler and harmless substances. Therefore, it is advisable to also have a photocatalytic or carbon filter.

The ionization function is also necessary for any allergy sufferer. Since allergies are an immune disease, it doesn’t hurt to support your immune system. Air ionization strengthens the immune system to the maximum in a natural way without side effects, helps reduce the manifestations of most chronic diseases, incl. and allergies. This was proven back in the 20th century by a Russian scientist, the founder of air ionization research at human body A.L. Chizhevsky.

Although spring is the season during which allergies are most prominent, many of the spring irritants continue to bother us into the summer. Add heat, humidity and air pollution to the mix, and you have a recipe for worsening allergies.

Causes of allergies that appear in summer

As in spring, the main allergen in summer is pollen - small particles that are released by trees, grasses and shrubs to pollinate other plants. When pollen enters the nose of an allergy sufferer, it triggers a reaction from the immune system.

The immune system recognizes pollen as a foreign substance and begins to produce antibodies - substances that fight bacteria, viruses and other organisms - that cause disease. Antibodies attack allergens, resulting in the release of Chemical substance, which is called histamine. It causes a runny nose, eye irritation and other allergy symptoms.

Pollen can travel for kilometers, making all allergy sufferers miserable along the way. The more pollen in the air, the more unhappy these people are. The average pollen count is determined per cubic meter of air. This information can be obtained from your local weather forecast or online.

In spring, the main source of pollen is trees, and in summer - grasses and weeds.

Here are some plants that pollinate in summer:

• Ambrosia, pigweed, Russian solyanka, wormwood and tumbleweed.

  Bermuda grass, bluegrass, cocksfoot, timothy grass.

One of the main plants that cause allergies in summer time, is an ragweed that usually blooms in August. Ragweed pollen can travel for miles, so even if it doesn't grow near your home, you may feel its effects.

But all of these allergens are more dangerous when you add air pollution to the mix. One of the main pollutants is ozone, which is created by the interaction of sunlight, nitrogen oxides and bicarbonates that are released due to the combustion of fuel. In sunny and calm weather, a whole cloud of ozone can be created over some cities. Studies have shown that ozone can worsen asthma symptoms.

Another allergen is insects. The stings of bees, wasps, and hornets cause an allergic reaction in many people. For 5% of the population, an insect bite can be fatal.

Although there are many allergens outdoors, there are also some indoors. Mold grows in damp areas of homes, basements and bathrooms. Its spores become airborne and cause allergy symptoms year-round.

Another allergen is household mites, microscopic arachnid insects. Because they live in warm, humid environments, their population increases during the summer months. Ticks live in beds, fabrics and carpets. The products of their activity enter the air and cause allergy symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms caused by pollen are called allergic rhinitis (hay fever). These include:

• Eye irritation

• Dark circles under the eyes

Ragweed also affects a condition called oral allergy syndrome, in which people get a swollen throat after eating a banana, cucumber, melon or other fruit or vegetable.

Airborne allergens can also cause asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe and causing coughing and wheezing.

An allergic reaction to insect bites usually has light form, and manifests itself in the form of itching and local swelling. But in some people it can be more acute and manifest as swelling of the throat, tongue, drowsiness, insomnia and shock. Such cases require emergency medical attention.

Everyone has a favorite time of year. Some people like autumn, chilly days, others are delighted with winter's tale, and who prefers the warm spring sun, and summer is the time of flowers, warmth and lightness. All this beauty can be overshadowed by only one word - allergy. Specifically, summer allergies. An allergy is the body’s response to some irritant.

Also, some facts can prompt a diagnosis of allergy:

• you feel better at home than outside;
• no increase in temperature;
• Symptoms are more severe in the morning than in the afternoon or evening

What are summer allergies?

This allergy contributes to the continuation of spring allergies, and there is also a risk of becoming an independent disease. The allergen can be flower and grass pollen. It could be: corn, rust. But poplar fluff is not an allergen, it only carries pollen different plants. At the end of summer, allergies can be caused by plants such as ragweed, dandelion, and hemp.

Allergy to polluted air

In summer, the problem of polluted atmospheric environment or its components per person is especially acute, since in summer Sun rays are more aggressive. Ozone can be one of the strongest allergy provocateurs. When ozone clouds accumulate, allergies are more likely to occur.

An insect bite is a good trigger for allergies.

This is probably the most common type of allergy and peaks during the summer months. Each insect, when bitten, releases poison, which serves as an allergen. Allergies can be to bee, wasp, hornet, or mosquito bites.

Mold fungus is a powerful allergy provocateur.

Mold can live anywhere. It can be found among fallen leaves, in damp paper, in garbage. Mold appears when fungi begin to form spores. Exactly this dangerous time for those who have a predisposition.

There are about twenty types of fungi that cause mold and therefore are strong allergens. Therefore, where a person lives or works, excellent conditions arise for the development of mold.

All kinds of mites and other insects

The living conditions for ticks and all arachnids are a humid and warm environment. This is typical for summer period. The allergen can also be mites and their waste products, which can get into food.

How to protect yourself from summer allergies

1. in dry, windy weather, during the flowering period, do not open the windows;
2. take a shower twice a day;
3. do not dry clothes outside to avoid pollen or other allergens;
4. you need to do wet cleaning every day;
5. wear Sunglasses;
6. wash your face or wipe your face and hands with wet wipes more often;
7. when you come home, change your clothes and wash them

How are allergies diagnosed?

A small scratch is made on the forearm or an allergen injection is made on the upper epidermis of the skin. Next, allergens are applied, and the result is taken into account. You cannot test more than fifteen allergen tests in one day.

Study specific antibodies Ig E

The method is very sensitive, which helps to identify the group of caused allergens.

Provocative tests

With this test, you need to inject a little allergen under the root of the tongue, into the nose and even into the bronchi and then take into account the body’s reaction. Since there may be an undesirable reaction after administration, tests are done only in the presence of a doctor.

Elimination tests

These tests involve removing the allergen from food or household items.

Treatment summer allergies

Every year the number of people suffering from seasonal view allergies. The disease can begin unexpectedly at any age. Why allergies develop in the summer, what symptoms are typical for them and what needs to be done in case of illness - we suggest taking a closer look.

Causes of summer allergies

As in the spring months, summer allergies most often develop to pollen. In the spring, pollen is usually produced by trees, and in the summer months - by various grasses, for example: wormwood, bluegrass, tumbleweed and others.

What is pollen? These are microscopic particles secreted by trees and shrubs, herbs and flowers to pollinate their fellows. Pollen that gets on the nasal mucosa of an allergic person immediately provokes a specific reaction in him. immune reaction body.

The immune system identifies pollen as a foreign substance, so it begins to synthesize autoantibodies to it - compounds aimed at combating pathogenic microorganisms, provoking diseases. Antibodies meet allergens, as a result of which histamine is released into the blood - a catalyst for an allergic reaction. It is histamine that is “to blame” for the resulting rhinitis, conjunctivitis and others clinical manifestations allergies.

Since pollen in nature can spread over hundreds of kilometers, allergies are diagnosed in a large number of people in the summer. The more saturated the air is with pollen, the more serious the symptoms of the disease.

• Due to the heat, many allergy sufferers suffer because on hot days it can be very stuffy, as a result of which their well-being is disrupted and exacerbations of various types develop. Heat itself is not dangerous for allergy sufferers, but sometimes it affects the flowering schedule of individual plants, resulting in complex problems. allergic reactions. Therefore, you should not assume that allergies will flare up at a certain time in advance. known time, in hot weather, plant flowering is unpredictable.

• Also a provocateur of allergies is poor ecology. It can increase the impact of allergens several times. The main pollutant is ozone, which is formed through the interaction of factors such as sunlight, nitrogen oxide and bicarbonates, which are released as a result of fuel combustion. On hot, windless days above major cities concentrates a large number of ozone. It is he who aggravates the course of most allergic diseases, for example, bronchial asthma.
• Another well-known allergen is insects - bees, wasps, etc. Many people suffer from intolerance to their bites. For 5% of allergy sufferers, a bee sting could very well be fatal.

What are you allergic to in different months?

Depending on what the body reacts to increased sensitivity, the disease can flare up in different summer months. This can be seen from the following table.

Cross allergies - a bonus for summer

In people suffering from seasonal allergies, allergic reactions intensify when consuming certain foods. In some cases, food allergy It happens all year round, and sometimes it reminds itself only during the flowering of individual plants. This is cross allergy.

Allergen	Cross reaction
Tree pollen	If you are intolerant to tree pollen, such trees become unsafe from an allergy point of view. food products, like nuts, stone fruits (plum, cherry, etc.), apples. Sometimes carrots are dangerous. You should avoid fruit wines, vodka, and birch sap.
Cereal pollen	If a person is allergic to cereal flowers, he is not recommended to eat flour dishes, kvass, vodka and beer.
Weeds	Weed intolerance requires limiting consumption vegetable oils and products created on their basis, sunflower seeds, tomatoes and melons. From alcohol, it is necessary to exclude the use of cognac and vermouth.

Allergy symptoms

Allergy to summer - common problem both adults and children. The following symptoms may accompany it: allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, frequent sneezing, rashes on the skin (for example, allergies to sweat). Less commonly, pollen can cause an asthma attack, which is characterized by dry painful cough, sudden swelling of the upper respiratory tract, wheezing, respiratory distress.

An allergic reaction to an insect bite, with a mild reaction, leads to slight swelling at the site of the bite and itchy redness of the skin. IN severe case an allergy to a bite is accompanied by the rapid development of urticaria, tissue swelling, vomiting, asthma attacks, hypotension and diarrhea. The patient's condition is assessed as extremely serious, so you need to immediately contact " Ambulance“, and before the doctors arrive, offer the allergic person any antihistamine, such as Suprastin.

Diagnostics

It is necessary to contact an allergist as soon as possible if a child or adult is allergic to a flower or an insect bite in the summer. The specialist will prescribe allergy tests for specific irritants.

If an allergic response to a specific irritant develops, it is necessary to additionally conduct a blood test for the presence of antibodies to allergens.

Treatment for summer allergies

Treatment method	Details
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT)	This technique has helped many people get rid of allergies. ASIT is based on the introduction into the body of specific allergen vaccines, which are created on the basis of irritants. The drug is administered in a minimal amount over a long period of time until the body stops reacting inadequately to it.
Use of antiallergic drugs	Tablets for summer allergies- Zirtek, Tavegil, etc. By the way, Tavegil is suitable for treatment infants(of course, after consultation with a pediatrician). At allergic conjunctivitis are appointed eye drops Telfast, Emadin, etc. Non-hormonal ointments based on retinol, panthenol, lanolin - these can be the drugs Bepanten and Pantoderm, which soften skin, eliminate peeling, have a wound healing effect. Ointment containing lanolin has an additional analgesic effect. Hormonal ointments prescribed with caution. Examples - Hydrocortisone ointment, Advantan, etc. They effectively cope with an allergic reaction to the skin, but have serious side effects.

Allergies to sweat are additionally treated with atropine-based ointments - they successfully reduce sweating. The patient is also prescribed hypoallergenic diet and those listed above antihistamines. It is also worth noting that this is the only summer allergy that requires consultation with a psychologist.

No one is immune from summer allergies, so the disease can occur in pregnant and nursing mothers. Treatment seasonal allergies in this case, it is complicated by a complete ban on antihistamines, which can only be taken for strict health reasons. In this case, doctors insist on preventive measures if before pregnancy a woman suffered from allergies to flowers or insect bites.

Prevention

Prevention for summer allergies involves avoiding possible contact with potential irritants. If you follow all the recommendations, you can not only avoid, but also minimize the likelihood of the onset of the disease.

1. Firstly, you should not be outside often or for a long time, especially in the morning, when the concentration of plant pollen in the air is high. To maintain a fresh microclimate in your living space, it is necessary to use air purifiers; opening doors and windows for ventilation is not recommended in case of seasonal allergies.

1. Secondly, it is important to carry out wet cleaning as often as possible to prevent the colonization of dust mites. It is necessary to pay attention to places where dust accumulates - a bookcase, furniture surfaces, etc. Wash and replace bed sheets need at least once a week. The water temperature during washing should be at least 60°C.
2. Thirdly, after every time you go outside, you must take a shower.
3. Fourthly, in order not to attract the attention of insects, you do not need to wear bright perfume, eat food on the street, or have picnics in the grass.

First of all, spring comes to mind, because it is at this time of year that most children and adults experience allergies to flowering plants. But it is important to note that a huge number of allergens to which the body reacts in the spring persist throughout the summer. In addition, in the summer, some aggravating factors are added to the allergens: heat, humidity, dust.

Let's find out together what the main allergens of summer are, what is dangerous for allergy sufferers every summer month, what are the main symptoms of summer allergies, how are they diagnosed and how are they treated?

What causes summer allergies?

Just like in the spring, main reason summer allergies - pollen

Just like in the spring, the main cause of summer allergies is pollen. Pollen is very small particles that are released into the air by the flowers of trees, grasses and other plants.

When pollen reaches the nasal mucosa of people suffering from immune system. After this, the immune system mistakes pollen for a foreign aggressor and begins to produce antibodies designed to destroy bacteria and viruses.

Antibodies attack allergens, leading to excretion special substance- histamine. When histamine enters the bloodstream, a runny nose, redness, itching and other allergic reactions occur.

The main allergens of the summer months

By the beginning of summer, the process of flowering of most trees and the release of pollen ends; in June, only some deciduous and coniferous trees Therefore, the main culprits of summer allergies can be considered grasses, weeds, and flowers.

In June Allergens can be coniferous trees, as well as deciduous trees. Among deciduous trees, the main sources of allergenic pollen are birch, poplar, hazel, oak, alder, elm, ash, maple, and linden. These trees usually bloom in April-May, early June, sometimes they begin to bloom as early as March.

Separately, it is worth mentioning allergic reactions to poplar fluff. People often talk about an allergy to poplar, which occurs in the month of July, meaning the body’s reaction to poplar fluff (poplar seeds), but, in fact, the fluff itself does not cause allergies, it can only irritate the mucous membranes; in July, allergic reactions can be associated with flowering cereal plants.

In July Cereals can be considered the main allergens. Among the most powerful sources of allergenic pollen are the following grasses: bluegrass, cocksfoot, foxtail, timothy, fescue, and ryegrass.

August- this is the time of flowering of plants from the family Asteraceae, buckwheat, as well as nettle and plantain; in addition, at this time, weeds and weeds bloom, which can also cause allergies. The most famous representative of allergenic weeds is ragweed.

What are the main symptoms of summer allergies?

Summer allergies caused by pollen are called allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

Summer allergies caused by pollen are called allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

Among the main symptoms of the disease are: runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, cough, burning sensation in the nose, eyes, dark circles under the eyes, redness of the eyes, swelling, itching, skin rashes and other symptoms.

How are allergies diagnosed?

If your child is suffering from summer allergy symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to accurately determine the cause of the allergy and prescribe effective treatment.

An allergist will most likely refer your baby to skin tests to accurately identify the allergen. This procedure involves applying a tiny sample of the suspected allergen to an area of ​​the child's skin (on the forearm or back).

If the body reacts specifically to this allergen, then redness or small rash. Such a skin reaction will indicate that the child’s body is producing antibodies specifically to a specific allergen.

You can also determine the allergen using a blood test to determine the level of antibodies to a specific allergen; your child may also be referred for such a test.