Allergic rhinitis and pollen

In our region, there are three pollen seasons:

- January to May, pollens from trees: cypress, birch, alder, hazel, sycamore;

- From mid-May to mid-July, grass pollen;

- August to October, pollens chenopods: amaranth, mugwort, ragweed.

Pollen is the male gamete of higher plants. These pollens are carried by the stamens and are carried from one flower to another either by insects or the wind. Allergenic pollens are generally those carried by the wind

SYMPTOMS

In susceptible individuals (allergic), breathing the pollen determines sneezing burst, a runny nose, nasal obstruction, and in half the cases, asthma may appear.

Currently, throughout the national territory, the sensors operate continuously: they can collect various pollens carried by the wind every time. A weekly report is drawn up for each region and can process ahead subjects who know they are allergic to each type of pollen.

The diagnosis of hay fever (pollen allergy) must be confirmed by a specific IgE (see IMMUNOGLOBULINS) and skin tests for sensitization.

TREATMENT

Treatment should first be to avoid the allergen (sleep with the door closed, driving a car with the windows closed).

In case of rain, the walk is allowed (the pollen falls with the rain).

The antihistamines will first line throughout the period of pollen risk.

A new molecule seems destined for a great development in the context of seasonal allergic rhinitis: fexofenadine which is a potent and selective oral antihistamine.

This molecule is also used successfully in the itching of chronic urticaria.

The nasal administration of cromolyn sodium is often very effective (Alerion).

The doctor may prescribe corticosteroids intramuscularly in severe cases.

A new treatment seems promising:

This is the use of a monoclonal antibody directed against the immunoglobulins of class E (IgE)

(See Monoclonal Antibodies).

The rhuMAb-E25 antibody has the property of binding specifically to human IgE, which allows to decrease circulating levels.

This effect causes an anti-allergic effect by inhibition of the degradation of MAST (see this term).

The administration of this drug is by subcutaneous injection at a rate of about every three weeks during the pollination period. at a dose of 300 mg.

The goal is to lower the IgE below 25 nanograms per milliliter.

Desensitization may be undertaken by the allergist outside danger periods.

In the case of asthma, inhaled corticosteroids for a few days will be very useful (eg beclomethasone).

Finally, it must be said that some allergies are crossed between pollen and food parents. Food allergies are more likely to result in digestive problems (colic, diarrhea), or shock or rashes.

For example, the birch pollen charm hazel can provide a cross-reactivity with apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries (Rosaceae), with carrots, chervil, fennel, anise (Umbelliferae), with potatoes, tomatoes (Solanaceae), mugwort with celery, cumin, coriander and mustard.

Remember that honey and royal jelly are usually not recommended for subjects with allergic rhinitis.