The spring breeze is blowing, the peach is red and the willows are green, and it is the season of vitality again. However, for pollen allergy patients, looking at the willow fluttering in the air, it is inevitable to worry, sneezing, nasal congestion, rash, wheal, itching, breathing difficulties, the painful experience, will it strike again? Can wearing a mask prevent pollen allergies? Which flowers are more likely to cause allergies and need to be avoided? Are there any new technologies that can help with prevention and treatment?
Let's start with a review of the key information about pollen. Plant pollen transmission in nature is divided into two main forms, wind vector and insect vector. Wind pollen, using the wind as a driving force, poplars, willows, birches, ginkgo biloba, sycamores, etc., all belong to this category. It is characterized by small flower types, not bright colors, high pollen content, lighter quality, and can fly with the wind to far away places. Therefore, wind pollen is the main culprit of allergies. Insect pollen, spread by insects such as butterflies or bees, is characterized by bright flowers, with aromatic or other odors, pollen particles are large, the amount of pollen is not much, and it is easy to stick into lumps, it is not easy to spread around, and it usually does not cause allergies.
Pollen allergy, in our case, there are two high incidence periods, March to May in the spring, and August to September in the autumn. Among them, April is the peak of the incidence of the whole year, causing allergies, mainly poplar, elm, willow, tsubaki and other tree pollen. Since allergies are mainly caused by windborne pollen, wearing masks and goggles when going out can play a certain preventive role. When choosing a mask, pay attention to the right size, try to fit the face as closely as possible, and reduce gaps. The diameter of pollen particles, usually 30 to 50 microns, is an ordinary surgical mask that can effectively block this type of pollen. Therefore, there is no need to choose an anti-smog mask with a strong filter effect to prevent aggravating the feeling of poor breathing.
Pollen allergy usually causes 5 types of symptoms. First, the nasal cavity is itchy and blocked, and the nose is cleared and sneezed. Second, the eyes are itchy, red, swollen, and lacrimated. 3rd, cough non-stop. 4. The skin is itchy and wheals appear. Fifth, when allergies are severe, it can cause shortness of breath or asthma. Some of the symptoms of pollen allergy, similar to a cold, need to be carefully subdivided. The key point of accurate identification is that colds may be accompanied by fever and general aches, usually do not have eye symptoms and itchy nasal cavity, and that colds generally do not occur frequently in the short term. Pollen allergies are characterized by a longer duration of symptoms and usually no fever or general aches. The incidence of pollen allergy has a growing trend, and the age range from 15 to 45 years old is the age group with more patients.
To deal with pollen allergy, antiallergic drugs need to be used, however, first of all, you should go to the hospital, confirm the diagnosis through professional examination, take medication under the guidance of a doctor, and according to the condition of pollen allergy, use antihistamines, mast cell membrane stabilizers, calcium, and in severe cases, glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants may be required.
To prevent pollen allergies, it is recommended to have a specialist examination to identify the allergens and avoid contact with pollen that causes allergies. When going out, you should wear a mask and goggles, and you can use air filters at home. In the early morning and after the rain, the humidity is high, the pollen will not drift, and you can choose such a time period when you go out. People with poor vision should wear lens glasses to reduce the effect of pollen on the eyes. Pollen allergy patients, in the pollen season, should avoid climbing mountains, nor should they dry their clothes outdoors. At the same time, nasal hormone sprays are needed to relieve allergy symptoms. In addition, the nasal cavity can be washed with normal saline.
Pollen allergies, the incidence of which has risen to varying degrees around the world, has also inspired technology companies to conquer, for which some products have been developed. Smart contact lenses, for example, can sense microbial traits and allergen levels in the environment and detect pollen concentrations in the air that can lead to allergies. To help pollen allergists cope with life-threatening situations, Harvard University has developed a wearable adrenaline device that can sense severe allergic reactions and inject epinephrine immediately. However, due to patent and price problems, these devices are still not widely available, and there is a lack of specific drugs that can cure allergies. Therefore, in the face of pollen allergy, prevention is the most important measure.
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