The existence of flower pollen in a place depends on the type of vegetation that grows, the length of the flowering period and the weather. The highest amount of pollen is when the air is warm, dry and windy. In the UK the high level of pollen presence is in March to August. Although far from the source of allergens or called allergens, people with flower pollen allergy must remain vigilant because on windy and dry days pollen can travel for miles.
Allergy symptoms that may occur in individuals are prolonged sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, burning sensation in the throat, disturbances in ear sensation, watery eyes, red or itchy, itchy around the face and mouth, headaches, fatigue and asthma symptoms. The form of allergic symptoms between individuals can be different, depending on which part of the body is attacked more severely. Generally, allergic manifestations on the nose are the most common compared to other organs, because the function of the nose is active as a filter for impurities in the air.
To show allergy symptoms, the number of allergens must exceed the individual tolerance threshold, according to the individual's sensitivity to allergens. If the number of antigens is less than the threshold dose, the body will not show allergic symptoms. This is one of the guidelines for controlling allergic reactions. The severity of allergic symptoms is not only influenced by the number of allergens but also influenced by predisposing factors that cause weak body resistance, including fatigue, anxiety, sadness, stress, fear and hormonal factors during pregnancy and menstruation. But this predisposing factor will not mean if the allergens are controlled.
Handling allergies can be done in several ways, namely avoiding allergens, treatment to suppress symptoms and immunotheraphy. Until now, preventing allergies by avoiding allergens is the best way to manage allergies.
What we can do to avoid allergens include:
- Know when allergens appear
- Away from the many areas there is pollen like a grassy garden, especially in the morning, afternoon and evening when the amount of pollen is abundant.
- Close doors and windows when the amount of pollen is high.
- Try to be more indoors with windows and doors closed.
- Avoid cutting grass and camping.
- Take a shower and wash your hair as soon as you leave the house.
- Use a mask and dust-proof glasses when outside the house.
- Close the car window and use the car's air vent filter.
- Change clothes and wash clothes after arriving from outside the house. Don't hang the laundry outside the house when the amount of pollen is a lot.
- Put vaseline on the inside of the nose to prevent pollen from entering the lower respiratory tract.
- Don't let pets get close to your face because of the possibility of pollen sticking to their fur.
For individuals who cannot avoid pollen, allergy symptoms can be controlled with medication. Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids and cromolyn sodium only relieve allergy symptoms, not eliminate allergies completely. Allergy preparations are available in various forms such as tablets, nasal spray, eye drops to inhalers tailored to the symptoms of allergies that arise. It is necessary to consult with a doctor for the selection of the right type and form of hypo-allergenic drugs, also in connection with the presence of drug side effects. Tips for individuals with a history of allergies; if you are forced to use drugs, for example playing golf on the field, start using drugs two weeks before.
Immunotheraphy is a treatment that tries to change the immune system's response to allergens. This technique also does not cure allergies, only reduces sensitivity to allergens. Management is done by injecting allergens or putting allergens under the tongue. This therapy is recommended for people who suffer from severe allergies or for those who have allergic symptoms more than 3 months each year. In its implementation, this therapy is difficult, takes a long time to appear to be repaired, does not work well for some people and costs a lot.
Allergy problems should not be considered trivial. If allergies are not treated, complications can occur where swelling of the nasal passages and estachi tubes leads to the ear causing secondary infections of the sinuses or problems in the middle ear to the formation of asthma.