Spring; Bloom time for Pollen Allergies

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Spring is always associated with colorful memories. World sheds off the cloak of greyness and done on color. Festivals are held to welcome the flowers, the spring bloom. The entire mood uplifts and people rush to the garden teas. Of course, all of this is true if you do not have pollen allergies.

What is pollen allergy?

Pollen is the grain that plants use to fertilize, so to speak. During spring, to facilitate in the bloom, these tiny grains travel in the air, and are therefore breathed in. They trigger an allergic response in the body that can be very severe.

Symptoms of pollen allergy include nasal congestion due to the inflammation. Moreover, nose, ears and mouth also get itchy and irritate. Pollen also affects the eyes, leading to swelling around the area alongside itching and frequent tearing. Eyes also turn red due to this fatigue. Runny, nose and excess luscious production are also experienced during the allergic reaction.

How is pollen allergy diagnosed?

In order to ascertain allergy to pollen in specific, skin prick tests and specific IgE blood tests are generally conducted. Whereas skin testing can be a little hard for the kids or for those who have skin conditions, blood test is recommended.

As these tests are not a hundred percent exact, it is best to enlist the help of the best ENT specialist in Lahore for a more precise diagnosis.

Preventing reaction

The best course of action is of course saving yourself from exposure to pollen. Tips for preventing the reaction:

Cover yourself when going out

Life does not wait for the allergies to subside. All of us have to step outside of the house for utilities. Those with pollen allergies need to be extra careful about their exposure. Wear glasses to protect eyes, wrap a scarf around your nose and mouth or wear a mask. Also, don on a wide-brimmed hat to protect pollen to getting into your space too much.

Separate indoor grab

For preventing yourself from dragging the pollen particles inside of your house aka your safe zone, be sure to change out of your clothes and shoes immediately when you get home. Try to keep a change nearby, so that surfaces exposed are minimal.

Limit outdoors

Outside is where the pollen is, and where you cannot be. Hence, no matter how much you are tempted, refrain from hanging out outdoors excessively. Check the weather for pollen count before venturing outdoors.

Wash your hair

Make sure to wash your hair after you have ventured outdoors. Pollen particles can get trapped in the hair, and thus make their way to the fact, resulting in the reaction. The particles also get onto the sheets and pillowcases. Therefore, be sure to shower thoroughly to remove these pesky particular from your body.

Clothes in the dryer

When clothes are dried outside, they tend to capture the pollen particles, unbeknownst to you. When you wear these clothes, they trigger an allergic reaction. Moreover, as clothes get placed in different areas of the house, it gets shed off in some many places inside of your house, aggravating the situation.

Purify your air

Be sure to keep your windows shut to prevent pollen from sneaking in. Keep air condition on so that the air is well ventilated. Moreover, invest into an air filter or dehumidifier, that helps in removing these particles from inside of your house.

Treatment for the reaction

Try as you may, but at times, the allergies still get the best of you. Some helpful things include:

Medication

Over the counter medicines can be taken to at least improve the symptoms of pollen allergies. Antihistamines help curb the reaction. Similarly, decongestants can be taken when the stuffy nose gets unbearable.

Some medicines are a combination of antihistamines and decongestants, offering the best of both worlds.

Shots

Allergy shots are prescribed when the body does not respond well to the drugs. A form of immunotherapy, these shots help in reconditioning the response of the body to the allergen. Overtime, they fortify the immune system so it’s more capable of dealing with the allergen.

Anyone considering the shots should first talk to the best ENT specialist in Islamabad about the pros and cons of getting the shots.

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