*POLLEN ALLERGY*

Mehwish Noreen(031)M.Sc. -4th

An abnormally High sensitivity towards pollens is called Pollen

Allergy &

nasal allergy to pollen is called

Pollinosis

POLLEN IS VERY FINE POWDER THAT COMES MOSTLY FROM;

Trees Grasse

s Flower

s weeds

HOW THEY REACH TO

HUMANS??

Wind and birds carry this pollen

from plant to plant to

Fertilize them. When people who

have a pollen allergy get them by

inhalation.Make it to contact with the sensitive nasal passages

Allergy variation in accord

to pollen origin

people can be allergic to differenttypes of pollen.

For instance, some are allergic to pollen from only beech trees, other are allergic to pollen from

only certain kinds of grasses.

SIZE OF POLLEN GRAIN

Pollen grains

Can be as large as

about 90-100

The tendency to develop allergies is

Often heredity, which means it can be passed down through your genes.

However, just because a parent or

subling might have allergies,

that doesn't mean you will definitely get

them too.

Plants that usually cause allergy

WeedsI. pigweedII. Sagebru

shIII. Tumblew

eeds

TreesI. BeechII. BirchIII. Oak

GrassesI. RedtopII. RyeIII. Johnson

Pollen countPollen counts give the number of grains of pollen in a certain amount of air in a set time period(usually 24 hours). The pollen is measured for specific plants such as grasses, oak trees and cottonwood trees. Pollen counts change with the weather (rain, humidity, sun and wind) and time of day; for example, they are usually higher on warm, breezy day and lower on chilly, wet days.

Some places give a total pollen count rather than pollen counts of specific plants. A high total pollen count doesn’t mean you will have allergy symptoms. The pollen from the pant you are allergic to may not be high.

SYMPTOMS OF POLLEN ALLERGY Running nose Nasal congestion Sneezing Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Head ache Difficulty in breathing Wheezing Tightness in chest Cough and a discharge from the back of

the nose in to the throat Red and itchy eyes Watery eyes Itching on the skin Skin rashes Some people will complain that their food has lost taste or cannot smell their food

Causative seasonsVary according to places.

Islamabad in month of march there is a difference in intensity of symptoms of allergy in different people

Punjab & Hazara from June till mid of September

LahoreOrdinary grasses cause the allergy. But due to pollution the vegetation in Lahore is decreasing day by day therefore the possibility of this grass to cause allergy can be ruled out.

KarachiAmerican grass is responsible for causing allergy in Karachi. There could be other factors as well but research is being done to find them

Central PakistanThe place where wheat is cultivated, allergy is cause by the threshers used to thresh wheat. The small particles of wheat cause allergy.

Mechanisms behind pollenosis1. pollen allergens(antigens) are released in the air and reach the air ways

and so the mucosa2. Once in the blood stream of mucosa the antigens are taken up by cells of

immune system(antigen-presenting-cells =APC), broken down into bits and bound to specific proteins called AHL to be “presented” at the cell surface.

3&4. these APCs stimulates B andTh2 cells to produce the antigen-binding protein.5. Th2 cells stimulates the B cell.6. To make even more antigen-binding protein.7. B cell in het blood plasma secretes antigen-binding protein(IgE).8. By B cell secreted antigen-binding proteins bind to surface of mast

cells( also called mastocyte).9. Therefore the mast cells become more sensitive to antigens.10. After the mast cell has bound antigen it produces vesicles with histamine

and other hormones.11. The histamine is released and caused an allergic reaction.

DIAGNOSIS OF POLLEN ALLERGY• Blood

test: : are

taken to diagnose the pollen allergy. This blood test is known as RAST (radioallergorbenttest)

• Skin test: : are also taken to diagnose the pollen allergy. Doctor injects different types of pollen in the skin of the person and sees the reaction. If skin swells, becomes red or rashes appear doctor confirms that the patient is allergic to that type of pollen.

Treatment of pollen allergy

Pollen allergy can be treated in the

Following three ways:

1. Avoiding the allergen2. Medication of symptoms3. Injection therapy

AVOIDING THE ALLERGY Close your windows and outside

doors Avoid using window and attic fans

during pollen season. Use air-conditioning to cool your home.

Roll up your car windows when driving. Use the air-conditioning, if you need it.

Dry clothing and bedding in the dryer. Don’t hang them out.

Remember that pets can bring in pollen on their fur, too. Don’t allow pets that spend time outdoors in your bedroom.

Wear mask and gloves

Medication of symptoms Antihistamine tablets or syrups(non-sedating) help sneeze, itch

and irritating eyes, but they are not as effective in controlling severe nasal blockage and dribble. The advantage of antihistamine is their flexibility; you can take them when you have problems and avoid them when you are well. Antihistamine eye drops can also be helpful in controlling watery eyes due to allergies.

Intranasal Corticosteroid Nasal Spray(INCS) a potent action on inflammation when use regularly. Decongestant sprays unblock and dry the nose, but should not be used for more then a few days as they can cause long term problems in the nose

Decongestant tablets unblock and dry the nose, but should be used which caution as they can have “stimulant "side effects like tremors, trouble sleeping, anxiety or an increase in blood pressure. People with high blood pressure should not take this medication. Appropriate management of “pollen asthma” includes commensing anti-inflammatory asthma medication either preventatively or with the first wheeze of spring. Some patients undergoing immunotherapy for their allergic rhinitis find that their seasonal asthma improves as well.

INJECTION THERAPYImmunotherapy is long term treatment option. Medicines only reduce

the severity of symptoms. They do not cure it. Where by one try to switch off the allergic reaction by

repeatedly small doses of allergen extracts, by injection or sublingual

drops. Both are long term

treatments, which are often give over a few

years.Immunotherapy should only be initiated by a

medical specialist (allergist/clinical immunologist)

WAY TO EASE YOUR ALLERGIESNATURALLY

Fight back with folic acid

Make a clean sweep

Kick off your shoes

Wipe down your dogs

Work out at dusk, not dawn

Spice thing up Pick up a neti pot Stay sneeze-free Pucker up Vitamin C Clean their with

HEPA Filter.

ConclusionWe can’t remove pollen from

our environment but still there are some drugs

that lessens the severity and some remedies to avoid

Pollen allergy.