Spring season is here, and many people are experiencing allergic symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.
Most people would go for morning walks in parks as it seems to be a joyful activity, but the pollens are spoiling it all. Many doctors are witnessing an increase in cases of pollen allergies and recommend taking precautionary measures, such as wearing masks while going out or staying indoors as much as possible.
According to doctors, as the weather gets warmer in the spring, the plants start to produce new flowers, and the pollen count starts to increase. These pollens spread in the environment. For people with sensitive airways, these pollens can act as triggering agents. They may be responsible for the release of certain chemicals in the body, like histamine, which will treat these pollens as a harmful substance. Hence, in response to this, the body may show symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itching/redness in the nose and eyes.
Pollen allergy can also cause allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever or seasonal allergy. Children are more prone to these allergies, which can cause a runny nose during the day and a blocked nose at night, making it difficult for them to sleep. This may result in poor sleep. These pollens can also trigger asthma symptoms leading to asthma attacks and hospitalization.
According to a doctor's report, many outpatient cases came this week for pollen allergies, most of them staying in green areas. Hence, it is very important to stay indoors and avoid getting outdoors when the temperature is warm and dry. Knowing what you are allergic to is also very important to reduce allergies.
It is impossible to completely avoid exposure to pollens, but wearing a surgical mask can help significantly reduce them from reaching the lungs.
Also, according to medical practitioners, it is always good to change clothes when you return home, as the pollen that's stuck on your clothes can trigger allergies.
It is advised to treat your symptoms if they get severe. You can either use antihistamines or low-dose steroid sprays to keep your allergic symptoms at bay.
Pollen allergy can also cause bronchitis, which when persisted, can cause asthma and compromise lung capacity. This can cause the bronchial tubes to get narrower, and swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes can take place. This narrowing and swelling can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulty and tiredness. Hence it is very important to reduce exposure to these pollens.