Climate Change Is Causing Seasonal Allergy Surges

Seasonal allergies are usually caused by pollen, dust mites, temperature changes, UV exposure, and other factors, and are a manifestation of allergic reactions. "Summer and autumn pollen is closely related to asthma. Some patients develop asthma in late July, and their symptoms only completely subside after the temperature drops." Climate change exacerbates allergies and asthma. Climate change leads to increased exposure to environmental allergens, such as increased greenhouse gases, rising global temperatures, and increased pollutants. Another factor is the influence of microorganisms. For example, the skin and nasal microbiota of young Russians are more diverse than those of Finnish populations, and microorganisms can guide gene activation and epigenetic adaptation. Another hypothesis is the epithelial barrier hypothesis, which posits that individuals with impaired epithelial barrier function often experience inflammatory responses within their epithelial cells, releasing various alarm signals that attract pro-inflammatory cell aggregation. The immune mechanisms leading to epithelial barrier dysfunction primarily involve type 2 immune responses, ultimately resulting in the formation of an allergic sensitization state and the occurrence of allergic reactions.

What are seasonal allergies?

You can tell if you have seasonal allergies if they appear at the same time every year and you have symptoms of congestion, sneezing, and runny nose. They are also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis.

Certain trees, shrubs, and other plants release pollen and spores into the air, and some people's bodies react to these substances. The severity of these reactions varies, but basically your immune system thinks these particles are invaders. To protect you, your body releases substances that ultimately lead to allergic symptoms.

1. Symptoms:

Seasonal allergies include symptoms that may appear for several days in a row, such as:

Excessive nasal mucus, blocked nose, red eyes, sneezing, coughing, itching, etc.

2. Treatment:

Pollen levels can be high at certain times of the year. However, there is no reason to stay home even if you have seasonal allergies.

3. Treatment options:

Steroid nasal sprays treat nasal inflammation. You will use it once or twice throughout the day.

Antihistamines, these are prescription medications that help reduce itching. Remember, many of them can cause drowsiness, so never use them if you have to drive or operate dangerous machinery.

Decongestant medications can improve your symptoms in the short term. However, they are not suitable for long-term use because they can have a counter-effect; 2-3 days at most. They are also not suitable for people with high blood pressure.

Allergy shots can be prescribed by a doctor if symptoms are debilitating or severe.

Allergy pills dissolve under your tongue, they have a similar effect to shots, and are taken daily during allergy season.

Tips:

If you have seasonal allergies, these tips can help.

The weather forecast predicts pollen levels every day, so keep an eye on it and plan your outdoor activities accordingly.

It's also helpful to know which pollen you're allergic to, because each plant releases pollen at different times of the year. That way you can better avoid it.

Take a shower before going to bed to remove allergens from your skin.

If you can, keep your windows closed to prevent them from coming in.

Wear a mask if you know you'll be exposed to allergens somewhere.

Natural remedies:

Natural remedies are very effective for seasonal allergies. Here are some natural remedies:

Use a detox diet to remove toxins from your body.

Avoid foods high in histamine, such as orange juice, coffee, dairy products, processed meats, and seafood.

Take probiotic supplements to keep your gut bacteria healthy.

Take care of your liver, as allergies are associated with an overworked liver.

In addition to eating, drink plenty of water to cleanse your body.

Nettle is a very effective medicinal plant for allergies.