Column by Kovbasko K.M. Seasonal Allergy

Column by Kateryna Mykhailivna Kovbasko, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Pediatrician, Pediatric Allergist at the Dobrobut Medical Network

Spring in Quarantine: Seasonal Allergies Are Still Here

The sun, warmth, and spring air—each year, we eagerly await the arrival of spring. This year, however, the spring season has altered our usual way of life: we are forced to adhere to quarantine measures and take all possible precautions to protect ourselves and our children from the coronavirus infection. Despite this, spring is firmly taking its place outside. While most people enjoy the sunlight, budding trees, and blossoming flowers, seasonal allergies have already started to affect both adults and children. Even under the current circumstances, we still take short walks, visit stores, and air out our homes, coming into contact with the surrounding environment and allergens.

During this challenging time, parents should pay maximum attention to protecting their children from coronavirus disease. However, unfortunately, other health issues, including allergies, which can negatively impact a child’s condition, have not disappeared. How can you recognize allergies in your son or daughter, and what should you do? Let’s explore these questions together.

Seasonal Allergies: What Are They?

Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, are allergic conditions affecting the mucous membranes, triggered by plant pollen. In response to the irritant, the immune system begins to "overreact," treating pollen as if it were a virus. Although it may seem that plants are just starting to awaken and the risk of allergies is minimal, spring marks the beginning of the allergy season: tree sap accelerates circulation and facilitates the spread of pollen in the air.

In our climate zone, there are generally three waves of this condition:

1. The first wave occurs from March to May—this is the allergy to the pollen of flowering trees like birch, alder, hazel, and oak.
2. The second wave begins in June and lasts until mid-July—this is the season for allergies to grass pollen. Interestingly, it coincides with the poplar blossom, so people often mistakenly think poplar fluff is the cause of their allergy. In fact, the allergy is caused by pollen that settles on the fluff.
3. The third and final wave happens from mid-August to early September, when ragweed and mugwort bloom.

Children over three years old and individuals up to 35 years old, whose mucous membranes are highly sensitive to external irritants, are the most vulnerable to seasonal allergies. The main cause of allergies is often heredity—if you are prone to hay fever, there’s a higher chance your child may face the same issue. Another reason is the frequency and intensity of contact with allergens. For instance, in Ukraine, ragweed allergies are common due to the plant's prevalence, while in Greece, allergies to olive trees are widespread.

How to Recognize Seasonal Allergies

The symptoms of hay fever are well known: runny nose, excessive tearing, and coughing. These symptoms occur because allergies primarily affect the respiratory system and the eyes’ mucous membranes. For parents, the main task is to distinguish allergy symptoms from other illnesses.

In our practice, this confusion occurs frequently. Last fall, we had a young patient who had been suffering from breathing difficulties for several months. The child was diagnosed with bacterial sinusitis. However, treatment for sinusitis didn’t yield positive results, and the breathing issues persisted. We began considering other causes, such as allergies. After conducting allergy tests, we found that the patient was allergic to plant pollen. But by then, it was autumn, when all trees and grasses had already bloomed, and the pollen had disappeared. This indicated that despite the season’s change, the child was still in contact with the allergen. After analyzing the child's diet with the parents, we discovered that the child was an avid fan of honey, which often contains proteins similar to plant pollen, triggering allergies. By consuming large amounts of honey, the child was continuing to be exposed to the allergen. Once honey was removed from the diet, the child's breathing improved.

Here are a few tips to help differentiate between allergies and other conditions:

• The child does not have a fever.
• The child’s general well-being and appetite are good.
• The symptoms remain stable and do not worsen.
• In certain situations, the symptoms may suddenly disappear—for example, after a rain shower, a sharp drop in temperature, or when you travel to another region for the weekend. The symptoms disappear because the child is no longer in contact with the allergen.

If your child develops a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, I recommend immediately contacting your doctor or having the doctor come to your home to examine the child.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Seasonal Allergies

First and foremost, allergies must be properly diagnosed. Today, the most common diagnostic methods are skin tests and blood tests (ELISA). The decision on which method to use is made by the doctor based on the specific patient’s case. Both methods are effective in diagnosing allergies and often complement each other for the most accurate identification of the allergen.

Allergy treatment should be comprehensive and can be divided into two types: nonspecific or specific. Nonspecific treatment is not dependent on a particular allergen. Such treatment is administered before the start of the allergy season as a preventive measure, using antihistamines, for instance. If the allergy has already manifested, medications are prescribed to reduce the severity of the condition. The second group is specific treatment, known as specific immunotherapy (SIT). This method involves administering small doses of the allergen to the body according to a specific schedule, helping to develop immunity to certain allergens.

It’s essential to address seasonal allergies at any age. Although plant pollen is not life-threatening, hay fever can significantly reduce one’s quality of life. In my experience, there are cases where parents, unaware of the true cause of their child’s allergy, impose unnecessary restrictions on their child’s diet or interaction with the environment. Such limitations can have a more negative impact on our children and their future lives than we might think.

During the quarantine, it’s not the best time to visit the hospital—it can be dangerous. However, if you notice allergy symptoms in your child, I recommend not resorting to self-treatment or ignoring the issue. You can call a doctor to your home to examine your child and determine the next steps, or consult with a specialist through online consultations.

So, stay attentive to yourself and your children. And most importantly, take care of yourself and your family while continuing to enjoy the spring.

The material was prepared and published for the resource "My Child."