SPRING… AND ALLERGIES… 2015/03/27

Although in the last years the weather has become strange, the calendar is quite clear: spring has begun and with it long and beautiful days have arrived, walks, outdoor games, the sum will start to warm us up and flowers will cover our gardens… along with pollen and allergies!!!

At school age some children start suffering from a disorder related with the arrival of spring: allergic rhinitis. This is similar to a severe cold; however, mucus is more liquid, with constant sneezing and therefore nasal leaking and itching also affecting the eyes with a strong tearing. This is caused by pollen from some types of plants such as grass (e.g. all herbal plants without stem or leaves which are approximately 8000 known species), cypresses and birches.

Eliminating the cause, meaning the pollen, is practically impossible because it is in the air, nevertheless, what we can do is alleviate the symptoms to make this period of the year more bearable decreasing the anguish and fear. To reduce the discomfort that it presents, there are in the market nasal sprays with cortisone that block the sneezing “crisis”, they have a restrictive use because of the side effects caused by cortisone. A viable alternative are the oral antihistamines to be used during the spring season.

There is also a specific immune therapy, concretely a treatment based on vaccines that contain allergen extracts: it’s an option that requires time and varies according with the particular doses. The treatment can last up to 3 years. It is carried out either by sublingual via (where the medication is administered below the tongue to be absorbed through the mouth’s mucous membranes) or injections.

Dust mites and cat epithelium (present in the animal’s saliva) are allergenic factors that are present during this period. In the first case, lets remember that the dust mite feeds itself with our epithelial cells residues which are present mainly in pillows and mattresses and for that reason it is recommended to cover them with anti-dust mite fabrics and in the second case it is better to avoid contact with these animals.

If there is suspicion of allergy, first of all do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician who will evaluate your children thoroughly with an allergy specialist doctor and the latter will carry out puncture tests to verify if there is any allergy.