The last few weeks have seen the onset of deconfinement, but with it comes an increased risk of being exposed to pollen particles in the air. In fact, I personally almost find these first days more dangerous when the pollination figures are not very high. Why? Because we are not aware of their existence until these particles reach and act on our mucous membranes, nose and eyes, being these exposed for hours to these small amounts of pollen, whose effects will be shown later.
These will consist of congestion, sneezing, itchy nose, itchy palate? And we will not know very well where it comes from. In fact, it is possible that we wake up in the early morning with an intense congestion or itchy palate. In fact, a good part of you may see yourselves reflected in that patient who, when it is time to go to bed, notices that congestion, sneezing and snot; with a situation that will not get worse, since rubbing the nose and eyes increases the symptoms.
Allergies and COVID-19
It should also be mentioned that this season can lead to mild or severe episodes of asthma, urticaria, an exacerbation of atopic dermatitis and immune wasting. Thus, in times of COVID-19, where both physicians and patients are suggestible, the differential diagnosis will be more complicated, since the suspicion of having been with someone with COVID-19 is present. Add to this other symptoms such as cough, fatigue, headache or conjunctivitis…. These are common signs in both pathologies, so the role of the specialist when assessing becomes very important.
Likewise, we should not become paranoid, as having an allergy does not increase the risk of becoming infected with coronavirus. Here are some simple rules that are very important as a first treatment measure.
Guidelines to follow at home
- Avoid ventilating on sunny days during those hours when the temperature rises or falls. The levels at your height will be maximum, since the hot air raises them above your head and the cold air deposits them.
- At the time when you ventilate, you should avoid the formation of drafts in the house It is not a good idea to ‘cool off’. Even if the sun goes out, the pollens do not. At the end of the day, a nice visit will come up, but it may include a good amount of pollen grains.
- If you have a garden at home, it is suggested to avoid being in the garden while mowing the lawn. If you are responsible for its maintenance, it is recommended that you wear a mask and goggles.
- Clothes on the clothes line is a good option, but if we are in a rural area with meadows around us, caution is recommended.
Guidelines to follow away from home
- If we have noticed any symptoms the day before, or if when we wake up we notice symptoms, we should make an appropriate use of medication, such as antihistamines, nasal spray, corticosteroids, bronchodilators…
- If it rains, pollen particles will be on the ground and the environment will be clean. However, the story changes in situations where rain is near, and that is that before the storm, the temperature usually drops a few degrees and pollen grains rise. As soon as the rain stops and the sun comes out, the fallen pollens dry up and are added to the new ones.
- Barrier measures such as sunglasses, for example, prevent pollens from directly impacting our eyes.
- When traveling by car, it is advisable to have all windows open rather than just one. If all the windows are open, air and pollen particles enter and leave the vehicle. If only one window is open, the particles enter and settle inside the vehicle without coming out, increasing their level inside.
- If our vehicle is a motorcycle, it is recommended to use a closed full-face helmet with the visor down.
- When we go to the countryside, it is preferable to make the routes at high altitude, since the meadows are practically a pollen factory, as well as the river banks.
I am sure there are several things missing, but if you have any doubts, please contact me or a specialist in Allergology.