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As we all know from the myths of ancient Greece, ambrosia is the food of the gods of Olympus, giving immortality. But for thousands of people this word has become synonymous with curses. The reason for this is a severe allergy to ragweed, which is increasingly making itself felt. And, if earlier this disease manifested itself only in the provinces, now it has reached the inhabitants of megacities. Fortunately, this disease can and should be fought. And how exactly, you will learn from this article.
Poison and nectar in one flower
Artemisia ragweed is a weed brought to the territory of the former USSR in the early 60s.
At that time, it seemed like a promising option for solving the problem with the fodder base of animal husbandry. Unfortunately, the then officials did not even know what kind of genie they were letting out of the bottle.
This plant is a real locust of the plant kingdom. Its long roots pick up water and nutrients, drying up the soil and killing surrounding plants. And the bitter taste of the stems and leaves does not allow it to be used as livestock feed.
But the main trouble of ambrosia is its allergenicity. The pollen of the plant causes a severe form of allergic hay fever. In addition, with an allergy to ragweed, the reaction to other allergens can be exacerbated. Including those that were previously tolerated quite calmly.
Geography of the disease and its symptoms
The main difference of this disease is its seasonality. Usually, the first attacks of hay fever appear in mid-late August and last until the September rains. But in recent years there has been a significant expansion of the time frame. Approximately from the beginning of July to the end of October. Whether the notorious global warming or the adaptation of the plant to the climate is to blame is unknown. But, if you suffer from ragweed pollinosis, consider this when planning your trips.
In addition to expanding the time frame, the disease also significantly expanded the distribution area. If earlier the main foci of allergies were located in rural areas of the south of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Kazakhstan, now the disease is increasingly manifested in residents of northern megacities.
Symptoms of ragweed allergy are recognizable and include:
- sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion;
- Cutting in the eyes, itching, with a possible transition to conjunctivitis;
- Wheezing, pain and sore throat;
- Redness and loss of a rash in places of contact with pollen;
- High fever and shortness of breath.
The most severe symptoms of the disease appear in the morning, after waking up. In addition, it can cause a number of secondary symptoms:
- insomnia;
- Frequent headaches;
- Loss of appetite and sense of taste;
- Increased fatigue, irritability, depression.
At-risk groups
The most common allergic reactions occur in the following groups:
- Children under 5 years of age and adolescents during puberty;
- Aged people;
- Patients with one or more types of allergic diseases;
- Persons with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- People with diseases of the immune system.
Diagnosis and treatment
An important element in the treatment of ragweed allergy is its timely diagnosis. And it's not just about exacerbating reactions to third-party allergens. In some cases, autumn pollinosis can provoke the appearance of severe diseases of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract. First of all, bronchial asthma and gastritis.
The main method for diagnosing the disease is an immunoglobulin E test , as well as laboratory blood tests for an allergic reaction. After analyzing the data obtained, the attending physician can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Most drugs for the treatment of ragweed allergy can be divided into two main groups: antihistamines and hormonal .
Treatment with antihistamines
The most common method of treatment of seasonal hay fever. These drugs do not cure the disease itself, but significantly facilitate its course.
When choosing antihistamines on your own, you should choose third-generation drugs based on cetirizine, desloratadine, or fexofenadine. They practically do not cause drowsiness and do not have a negative effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Treatment with hormonal drugs
This treatment can be prescribed for severe forms of the disease. It is based on the use of drugs containing steroid hormones. They can effectively fight swelling and inflammation, as well as prevent the development of bronchial asthma in a patient.
It should be noted that hormonal treatment can only be prescribed by the attending physician. Self-medication with such drugs is dangerous to health.
Treatment through immunotherapy
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the most effective treatment for most allergic diseases, including ragweed allergy. With ASIT, small doses of allergens are introduced into the patient's body in order to cause addiction in him. The course of treatment can last for several years, but at the same time, therapy gives almost 90% success.
Nutrition during an exacerbation
An important element in the successful treatment of allergies is maintaining a special diet . In addition to cleansing the body, it also provides protection against an allergic reaction to third-party allergens.
If you are allergic to ragweed, it is recommended to exclude the following foods from the diet:
- Alcohol and synthetic carbonated drinks;
- Concentrated juices. Primarily citrus fruits;
- Nuts, honey, halva and other products based on sunflower;
- Fresh greens. Primarily parsley and celery;
- Melons - watermelons and melons.
Also, in case of allergic diseases, it is recommended to limit the consumption of fried, spicy and salty foods due to their destabilizing effect on the liver and gastrointestinal tract. In addition, you should refrain from consuming smoked and semi-finished products.
In general, the dietary menu is quite individual, so it is recommended to entrust its preparation to a specialist. Wrong diet, especially with the use of fasting periods, can lead to the development of serious diseases. As a result, the harm from such a “treatment” will exceed by an order of magnitude any positive effect.
General Tips
These recommendations can help not only those who are allergic to ragweed, but also those who are allergic to pollen from other plants.
- Take a shower as often as possible with the obligatory washing of your hair. Ideally, this should be done twice a day;
- Try to ventilate the rooms with an air conditioner with a built-in dust filter. If there is none, put a net on the windows;
- Install a humidifier in the room;
- Regularly carry out wet cleaning of the apartment;
- If possible, wait out the allergy season in another region.
Like any disease, ragweed allergy brings many problems. But proper and timely treatment can not only greatly reduce the symptoms, but also completely cure you of this ailment. And then summer will really become a time of happiness for you.
Be healthy!
