How to Prevent Spring Pollen Allergies?
Introduction: Spring is the season when a hundred flowers bloom. While it's a feast for the eyes, it can also bring some minor problems, such as pollen allergies. Currently, the number of people with pollen allergies worldwide is increasing year by year. So, how can we prevent spring pollen allergies? The following will share some common preventive measures for pollen allergies.
How to tell if you have a pollen allergy?
First, people are gradually recognizing "pollen allergies" from what they used to think were just common colds. Second, public health awareness is increasing, and allergen testing technology is becoming more precise. Of course, many people with pollen allergies still mistakenly believe they have a cold or rhinitis and repeatedly use cold medicines or rhinitis nasal drops for treatment, thus delaying the best time for treatment. Therefore, correct diagnosis is the first step.
Pollen grains are generally about 30 to 50 micrometers in diameter. When they float in the air, they are easily inhaled into the respiratory tract. When people with pollen allergies inhale these pollen grains, they have an allergic reaction, which is pollen allergy. The main symptoms of pollen allergy are sneezing, runny nose, tearing, and severe itching of the nose, eyes, and external ear canal. In severe cases, it can also induce bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and pulmonary heart disease (more common in summer and autumn). The reason pollen causes allergies in the human body is that pollen is rich in protein, and some of these protein components are the main allergens that cause allergies.
The symptoms of skin contact with pollen are red patches, papules, fine scales on the skin, with a feeling of itching or burning, which is mostly caused by skin contact with pollen in the wild followed by sun exposure.
So, how to prevent pollen allergies?
First, avoid all suspicious or known allergens, such as the large amount of pollen floating in the air during the pollen season;
Second, for certain known allergens, once identified, the patient's living environment must be changed immediately. For example, if there are flowers, plants, and trees around the patient's house, allergens should be removed. Children should not be allowed to stay and play for long periods in lawns, courtyards with a lot of fallen leaves, or forests. These are only passive preventive measures. To truly cure pollen allergies, desensitization is essential.
Pollen allergy prevention measures:
1. Don't stay outdoors for long
Try to stay outdoors as little as possible during the day, especially during times of high daily pollen counts, such as on sunny evenings. When doing outdoor activities and various sports, try to choose the time with the lowest pollen index, such as early morning, late at night, or after a shower.
2. Keep windows and doors closed
Keep windows and doors closed during the day to prevent pollen from flying in.
3. Don't dry clothes outdoors
Try to dry clothes indoors (a dryer is better), not outdoors, otherwise clothes, sheets, bed sheets, etc., are easy to get pollen on them.
4. Change clothes
If you go out when the pollen index is high, remember to change into clean clothes after you return.
5. Wear glasses
Wearing glasses can reduce the chance of your eyes being affected. So you can use glasses with lenses instead of contact lenses, or wear sunglasses when going out.
6. Avoid the allergy season
If possible, try to arrange your vacation during your hay fever season to avoid it. You might consider a seaside vacation, as the sea breeze will make the air almost free of pollen. You could also consider vacationing in a country where there are no triggers that cause your allergies.