Symptoms, how long does it last?

Allergies to pollens keep increasing and it will not go by arranging. “Sweeting winters and warmer summers promote earlier, more intense and longer pollen seasons. We now find pollens from the south of France in the north of the country” explains the allergist Delphine Prince. “”Pollens are the male reproductive elements of the plants. They are released to allow fertilization. Pollinization corresponds to the transport of pollen grain to the female flower stigma“. There are 6 families of allergenic pollens:

• The Betulacées: birch, charm, alder, hazelnut
• Platanaceae: plane tree (especially in the south)
• Fagaceae: oak, beech, chestnut
• Salicaceae: poplar, willow
• Cupressaceae: Cypress, Thuya, Juniper
• Oléaceae: ash, Olivier, Troène

Calendar: What is the period of allergy to pollens?

“The different allergenic pollens are issued successively in the outside air from January to October“, Indicates the allergist. The first allergies begin in February with cypress pollens, then arrive in April those of the grasses, birch (especially in the north of France) and continue in summer with those of the Ambroisie. The main species responsible for allergies are:

• The grasses: The grasses family brings together more than 12,000 species, including fodder grasses (dactyl, flexible, flouve, tares, pasturin …) and cereal grasses (oat, wheat, corn, barley, rye …).
• birch (especially north of France)
• the cypress
• Ambroisie à sagemoise leaves

What are the symptoms of an allergy to pollens?

The demonstrations affect the nose, the throat, the ears. We observe itching (nose, throat, palate, ears), sneezing, flowing nose, blocked nose with the extreme a loss of smell. “When they are intense, signs of allergic rhinitis can hinder sleep, daily activities and be responsible for fatigue and concentration disorders”specifies the allergist. Larveling, red eyes and itching, very frequently accompany allergic rhinitis. Pollin allergic rhinitis can be accompanied by asthma. Almost one allergic to Pollens out of two has episodes of coughing, shortness of breath, whistles, characteristics of asthmatic disease. Patients do not always realize that these symptoms are signs of asthma and do not take suitable treatment. “Do not wait to consult: the allergy to pollens requires a rapid diagnosis. The treatments offered make it possible to quickly relieve allergic and avoid worsening manifestations“Note Dr. Prince.

How long does a pollen allergy last?

The allergy to Pollens is seasonal and annual. If the allergy is linked to a particular pollen, the allergy lasts throughout its period. If the person is allergic to several types of pollens, their allergy can last all season, generally from April to July.

What drugs calm the allergy to pollens?

► Local treatments:

• Celllys: drop drops
• Nasal drops: washes with physiological serum are often useful. Local corticosteroids (cortisone -based drugs) will be useful to overcome nasal inflammation.
• Nasal decongestants are to be avoided.

► Oral treatments:

• Antihistamines: Used by oral tracks, they block the activity of histamine, a chemical substance released by our cells during the allergic reaction which triggers the inflammatory reaction responsible for symptoms.
• The oral corticosteroids: your doctor will possibly prescribe them, for a short time, if the previous treatments do not overcome your symptoms.

► inhaled treatment of asthma: they are of 2 types:

• Treatments of the Ventoline -like crisis, to take ahead when your symptoms appear.
• Basic treatments, based on corticosteroids often prescribed morning and evening, when signs of asthma become more frequent.

“If you are asthmatic, it is important to take or take up (if you need it only in the pollen season) your fundamental treatment as it has been prescribed. If the crises persist despite the treatment or if you present an asthma for the first time, consult your doctor quickly to set up or adapt the inhaled treatment”warns the specialist.

When to be desensitized?

“This treatment prescribed by allergists consists in taking every day, in the form of a medicine a low dose of the pollen (s) to which you react. This allows a normal reaction to the body is permanently restored when it in contact with allergenic pollen and therefore the absence of symptoms”explains the allergist doctor. Possible in adults and children from 5 years old, this treatment can be offered:

• If we have identified (with skin tests and a blood test) the pollest (s) in question.
• If the symptoms remain embarrassing despite taking symptomatic treatments.
• If you are in this situation, you can make an appointment with the allergist to determine the usefulness of this type of treatment for you or for your child.

What allergies are crossed with pollen?

“”Crossed allergy is a reaction to a given substance in an allergic person to another related substance“. Plant foods and pollens often have similar molecular structures that promote the development of these cross allergies. The signs can be more or less severe ranging from simple” oral syndrome “: itching in the mouth or red plaques that scrape the mouth with anaphylactic reaction which can associate difficulties in breathing and/or discomfort or feeling of discomfort. Destroyed for cooking and allergy will only arise in ingestion of raw food.

Known examples: “In northern Europe: around 50% of birch pollens allergies have crossed food allergies, often apple, hazelnut, fishing, and frequently to other raw plants. The reactions are generally not very severe and they only concern raw plants. Responsible proteins are proteins destroyed when cooked by the PR10 family“Explains Dr. Delphine Prince. In the south of Europe: in particular around the Mediterranean basin, reactions to fishing and other nuclei fruits can be severe and generalized and they also concern cooked forms. Responsible proteins are proteins of the LTP family, proteins present in many foods and pollens. “It is necessary to take the advice of an allergist if you have already presented this type of reactions. The allergist will be able to assess your risk of presenting a severe reaction and he can tell you what prohibited or permit foods and in what form”recommends the specialist.

Thank you to Dr. Delphine Prince, allergist.