Allergy in spring

When spring comes, it is inevitable to talk about allergies, affecting adults and children alike. The allergy in spring is an exaggerated reaction of our organism to a substance that it recognizes as harmful and that is called an allergen.

Allergens are usually proteins. Many substances can cause an allergic reaction, but the most common are: food, drugs and inhalants such as pollen, animal hair or dander, and dust mites.

allergy has a strong hereditary component and it is normal for allergic children to have relatives with allergic diseases: rhinitis, atopy or food allergies. At first glance we may think that the allergy in spring is a trivial and unimportant disease but this is not true, since it hinders the quality of life of those who suffer from it. For this reason, it is very important to carry out an early allergological study if there are symptoms, to put the most appropriate treatment.

The diagnosis of allergy is made when there is a suspicion on the part of the Pediatrician. The tests are carried out by the child allergist and consist of a skin test (prick test), one and, in some cases, a provocation test with the allergen causing the symptoms.

The main causative agent of allergies in spring is pollen from some plants. In second place would be the dust mites, which although they are present all year round, find, in the spring, excellent temperature and humidity conditions to grow.

About 20% of people are sensitized to some type of pollen.

Trees and plants that cause allergy problems in spring are: grasses, cypress, banana, olive, and mugwort.

Very rainy winters cause very intense blooms in spring, so pollen levels are very high in the atmosphere and cause a higher incidence of allergies in spring.

The most frequent symptoms in children or adults allergic to pollen and mites are respiratory:

• Nasal and / or eye itching
• Red eyes and constant watering
• Runny nose (water) mucus
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion without other cold symptoms
• asthma, shortness of breath

Children allergic to pollen will show symptoms seasonally, that is, only for a few weeks a year that will coincide with the flowering time of the plant to which they are allergic. It is the rest of the year, if they have any other allergies, they will be without discomfort.

Children with allergies to mites will have symptoms throughout the year and can be a bit longer in the spring.

To do a correct prevention and treatment, it is necessary to know what the child is allergic to, in this way, we can avoid or reduce exposure to the allergen that causes the symptoms.

The allergy can be treated. The most important measure is allergen avoidance. The Pediatrician has a wide range of pharmacological treatments to alleviate symptoms: antihistamines, bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories ...

In some cases, allergy prevention through vaccines (immunotherapy) is possible. It is essential a close control of the Pediatrician and a constancy in the fulfillment of the treatment to be able to control the allergic symptoms.

It is impossible to avoid contact with dust mites and pollen during the flowering season, but there are steps we can take to reduce contact. The "Spanish Aerobiology Network" performs pollen counts in different parts of the Peninsula that may be useful to allergic patients.

In the most critical times the allergic child can also present symptoms with irritating environmental agents such as: perfumes, air fresheners, pollution of large cities and tobacco smoke.

Measures to reduce contact with pollen

• Know the type of pollen and the flowering time. It is very important to apply the following preventive measures
• Keep the windows of the house closed (especially at night) and also those of the car
• Wear sunglasses
• Wash vegetables well before eating
• Avoid outdoor activities
• Use air conditioning filters and change them annually
• Avoid activities that move pollen like mowing the lawn or sweeping the deck
• Before going to sleep, spray the room with water
• On days with intense wind and sun, know that the concentration of pollen in the environment increases
• Pollen concentration is lower in buildings and in maritime areas
• Find out about pollen concentrations in the area where you live

Measures to reduce contact with dust mites

• Wipe off dust with a damp cloth
• Scrub and vacuum, do not sweep
• Vacuum sofas, bed base and mattress weekly
• Ventilate the bedroom daily
• Avoid having many decorative objects that facilitate the accumulation of dust: stuffed animals, books, rugs, toys ...
• Weekly wash the mattress cover
• Avoid wool and feather mattresses and cushions
• Ventilate clothes stored in the closet before use
• Avoid humidifiers
• If you are going to a second residence, ventilate the house 24 hours before
• There are acaricides and special anti-mite covers that can be useful

• Pollen allergy is the most frequent in spring, followed by dust mites (although this can also occur the rest of the year).
• Upon suspicion, the pediatrician will refer to the child allergist, who will perform skin tests, blood tests and, in some cases, a provocation test with the causative allergen.
• Keeping the windows closed at home, and avoiding outdoor activities, especially on windy days and intense sun, are some measures to minimize symptoms (itchy nose, mucus, watery eyes…).

Pediatric Specialist