Effective Ways of Protection Against Pollen

The fact that the sun shows its face in the spring season and the nature comes alive and the flowers bloom bring positive effects for many people, but it can turn into a nightmare for some! Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Diseases Specialist Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz says that due to the flying around of pollen, many problems can be experienced especially in people with an allergic constitution, and these problems called 'spring allergy' or 'hay fever' can be confused with upper respiratory tract infections. ENT Specialist Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz talked about the diseases that can be confused with spring allergies and made important statements about simple but effective measures that can be taken to spend the spring comfortably and not be exposed to the negative effects of pollen.

This manifests itself in complaints!

As a result of the pollen circulating around in the spring, people who are allergic to these pollens develop various complaints. The main symptoms of this disease, which is also defined as “spring allergy” or “hay fever”; ENT Specialist Dr., who lists these as runny nose, nasal congestion, nasal itching, frequent sneezing, itching in the ears and throat, redness and watering in the eyes, nasal discharge, cough and shortness of breath. “Sometimes, these complaints may be accompanied by a decrease in the sense of smell and taste, snoring due to nasal congestion, and sleep disturbance.”

It can be confused with other diseases!

Spring allergy, which usually recurs every year in a certain time period, can be confused with other diseases. Since the symptoms are similar to the diseases caused by viruses, the person does not understand that it is caused by allergies, so the disease progresses because he does not realize that he needs to be treated for allergies. Stating that allergy can be confused with upper respiratory tract infection or sinusitis, Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz speaks as follows: “Upper respiratory tract infections, which we call colds or flu, are diseases caused by viruses after our body resistance decreases. Although it causes similar complaints with spring allergy, the complaints regress in about a week. In sinusitis caused by viruses or bacteria, there may be complaints similar to spring allergies. However, in sinusitis, the runny nose is yellow-green and may be accompanied by headache and fever; In spring allergy, the runny nose is like water and is not accompanied by fever.”

Don't think "it will pass anyway"!

Spring allergy occurs mostly in the spring months, regardless of the person's body resistance. Stating that during this period, the patients constantly complained that 'I feel like the flu', 'it never goes away' or 'my nose is constantly running like water', Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz emphasizes that patients should not think that these ailments, which are actually caused by allergies, are due to viruses and not think 'it will pass anyway', and that they should definitely get expert opinion for the right treatment. Stating that the diagnosis of spring allergy is made by nasal examination and subsequent allergy tests, Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz says that antihistamine drugs, nasal sprays and allergy vaccines are used in the treatment.

10 effective measures against pollen!

• Always wear a pollen mask outside.
• Ventilate your home and office in the afternoon, not in the morning.
• Do not open car windows unnecessarily and do not forget to change the pollen filters.
• Use sunglasses that also cover the side of the eyes.
• When you come home, change your clothes, clean the inside of your nose, take a shower.
• Don't forget to clean your glasses too, as pollen can stick to it.
• Do not do sports outdoors in the morning when pollen is heavy.
• Do not dry your laundry in living-bed rooms, as humidity can trigger the development of indoor allergens.
• Do not let your pets into the room where you sleep.
• Especially during this period, stay away from factors such as dust, cigarette smoke, paint smell, perfume.