The doctor warned about hidden summer allergens in the country and in the city

After the end of spring flowering, the allergic season does not end. In summer, the cause of unpleasant symptoms can be pollen from grasses and weeds, mold fungi, damp earth, dust in country houses, air conditioners, insect bites, and even seasonal products. Runny nose, cough, sore throat, watery eyes and skin rashes are often mistaken for a cold or the effects of the air conditioner. Lyubov Stankevich, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Director of Laboratory Medicine and Production at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia about this on July 13.

In summer, the range of allergens changes. After the flowering of the trees, meadow grasses and weeds begin to actively gather dust, and warm, humid weather promotes the spread of mold. Additional sources of allergens are damp basements, compost, dust in country houses closed after the winter, as well as air conditioners, which, with contaminated filters, can spread pollen, household dust and fungal spores.

LabQuest statistics confirm that allergies are not limited to seasonal blooms. Over the past year, about 18% of the studies have been conducted on allergens of pollen from trees and grasses, and more than 12% on birch. Another 16% were household allergens, and allergies to cat epithelium and dandruff accounted for about 15%. Cow's milk was the leader among food allergens — almost 10%.

"The country environment also plays a special role. Moist soil, greenhouses, sheds, cellars, and rooms that have remained closed for a long time may contain large amounts of mold spores and pollen particles. Even dried mold remains in the dust and easily enters the respiratory tract," the specialist explained.

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In addition, cross-allergic reactions to food are possible in summer. People with pollen sensitivity may experience itchy mouth, scratchy, swollen lips, or skin rashes after eating apples, berries, stone fruits, carrots, celery, or nuts. This is because the immune system recognizes similar proteins in pollen and food.

Stankevich warned that self-treatment often only complicates the situation. Vasoconstrictor drops relieve the symptoms only temporarily, and antihistamines reduce the symptoms of allergies, but do not allow to determine its cause. It is equally dangerous to mistake a lingering infection for an allergy or to use antibiotics uncontrollably.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist longer than a common cold, repeat under the same conditions, occur after contact with animals, staying in the country or eating certain foods. A general blood test, determination of the level of total and specific IgE, allergodiagnostics, rhinocytogram, and PCR studies may be required for diagnosis.

Emergency medical care is required for the rapid development of swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, attacks of suffocation, severe weakness, loss of consciousness, widespread rash, or a combination of an allergic reaction with vomiting, abdominal pain, and a drop in blood pressure. According to the expert, timely identification of the cause of summer symptoms allows you to choose the right treatment, adjust your lifestyle and avoid serious complications.

Nutritionist Natalia Pavlyuk warned on May 14 about the consequences of excessive consumption of strawberries. According to her, people with allergies, individual intolerance or cross-allergic reactions should be more careful with berries. Strawberries can cause redness of the skin, rashes and other unpleasant symptoms.