What allergies can occur in the spring? How can they be prevented and treated?

When spring comes, many people will develop allergy symptoms. What allergies can occur in the spring? How to prevent and treat them? This reporter interviewed experts from China-Japan Friendship Hospital.

The most common allergy in spring is allergic rhinitis. Liu Yang, deputy director of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, analyzed that allergic rhinitis refers to the immune response of the nose to external allergens and some clinical symptoms such as nasal discharge, nasal itching, runny nose and nasal congestion. Allergic rhinitis can cause bronchial asthma if not cured. Long-term swelling and blockage of the nasal mucosa can cause sinusitis, nasal polyps, otitis media and olfactory disorders, and long-term nasal congestion can lead to lack of oxygen and cause memory loss. The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to cut off contact with allergens, such as wearing a mask and staying away from allergens. The presence of allergic rhinitis can be treated with medication and surgery in the hospital.

"Allergic rhinitis can involve the eyes, and the most common symptoms are itchy eyes, red eyes, dryness and tearing." Zhao Tong, deputy director of ophthalmology at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said animal dander and mites are common allergens, and seasonal allergens are most often pollen allergies. To treat eye allergies, you can wear protective glasses with a good seal and prevent your hands from rubbing your eyes. Cold compresses on the eyes can constrict blood vessels and quickly stop itching, and using anti-allergy drops can also relieve eye itching. For more serious allergy symptoms such as eye swelling and edema, hormone therapy can be used appropriately with artificial tears. Zhao Tong reminds: wash your hands before dropping eye drops; use up eye drops within a month after opening, and throw them away after a long time to avoid secondary contamination; do not concentrate on using a large number of eye drops in a short period of time to avoid dilution between each other and reduce the pharmacological effect.

Allergic asthma is also one of the common allergies in spring. Zhang Yongming, deputy chief physician of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, analyzes that pollen enters the airways and triggers asthma in sensitive people. In addition, dust mites, molds, pet hair, dander and cockroaches can also trigger allergic asthma. Patients with symptoms such as repeated wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing are best seen at a hospital, where doctors can determine if it is asthma and provide targeted treatment. To prevent allergic asthma, firstly, we should avoid allergen exposure and control allergic rhinitis, such as wearing a mask; secondly, we should avoid smoking and second-hand smoke to prevent direct stimulation from smoke and dust.

In spring, part of the population will have skin allergies. Dr. Sheng Yujun, deputy director of the Department of Dermatology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, introduced that skin allergy mainly manifests as dry, red, swollen and itchy skin. The main causes of skin allergy are: inhaled allergens, such as dust and pollen; ingested allergens, such as seafood; contact allergens, such as metals; and injected allergens, such as injected drugs. The main tips to prevent skin allergies are: for ultraviolet rays, airborne allergens, to do a good job of sun protection, wear a mask when you go out; for dust mites, spores or animal dander, hair allergies, to often open windows and ventilation, do a good job of cleaning animals and clothing, including exposure to the sun, air dry, etc.; for contact with some metal substances or skin care products, cleaning agents allergies, to directly avoid contact.