Tips for Winter Allergy

Member of the Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (AID) Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever made a statement about allergies and gave advice. Undoubtedly, there are many reasons for allergic complaints that occur with the winter season. Many reasons such as increased air pollution, increased indoor use and naturally more exposure to indoor allergens, increased flu infections are among the biggest triggers of winter allergies.

Pointing out that allergic diseases are one of the chronic diseases that are increasing in frequency worldwide, Turkish National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association Member (AID) Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever stated that the current increase in allergic diseases cannot be explained by genetic factors alone, and that many different causes such as changes in living conditions that started with industrialization in the developing world, changes in dietary habits, increase in urban life rate, increase in indoor and outdoor pollution, frequent use of antibiotics and exposure to cigarettes can cause allergic reactions. He said it triggers diseases. Noting that attention should be paid to winter allergies, Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever talked about the subject as follows:

“The majority of winter allergies are indoors. As people spend more time indoors with insufficient ventilation, they are more likely to encounter symptoms related to winter allergies. The most common causes of winter allergies are house dust, house dust mites, mold spores, insect droppings and shells. Cold air and humidity, and especially allergens such as increased mold and house dust mite in the air breathed in the indoor atmosphere, love the increase in indoor temperature and humidity and multiply rapidly. As a result, both skin and respiratory allergies can develop in the person. In the winter months, with the serious decrease in the air temperature of the atmosphere, after contact with cold air, skin allergy in the form of urticaria, popularly known as hives, develops on the skin. In addition, patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis; After the cold air adversely affects the respiratory tract and causes damage, the symptoms related to these diseases may increase.

Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever warned that indoor allergens can trigger asthma attacks

Cansever also said that increasing viral infections and air pollution in the winter months are risk factors for children with allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. These infections, which are rapidly contagious, can increase the symptoms of allergic diseases. Apart from infections, indoor allergens and increased air pollution can disrupt the respiratory tract mucosa and trigger allergy symptoms and asthma attacks. In all these situations, the person; Pointing out that it seriously impairs the quality of life in his daily social life, business life and school adventure in pediatric patients, Cansever stated that these attacks also bring about difficulties such as loss of work force, disruption of education in children, and decline in school success.

Cansever emphasized that anaphylaxis should be considered in cold allergy.

Assoc. Dr. Cansever said, “Patients with a previous history of anaphylaxis should have an epinephrine pre-filled injector and the correct use of this injector should be well known. However, the way to minimize life-threatening events such as anaphylaxis, although rare, is to avoid cold and cold water for individuals with cold allergies. Individuals with cold allergies should dress thickly during the winter months and reduce the time they are exposed to the cold.

Cold allergies can also show similar symptoms to the common flu infections in winter. So how do we distinguish? In that regard, Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever says:

“Winter allergy symptoms and cold symptoms are very similar and difficult to distinguish. Allergies can develop at any age, or it is possible to live in the same house with the same substances without allergies for years without symptoms. It is wrong to attribute all the symptoms of an individual who has never had an allergy to the absolute common cold. Allergies that may be newly developed in the individual should never be forgotten. When distinguishing these two clinical conditions; persistence of symptoms for more than a few weeks is more in favor of allergies, sudden onset symptoms are often related to the common cold in individuals who were not previously allergic. In addition, fever may accompany the common cold, while fever does not occur in allergic diseases. The pain and malaise associated with the common cold are not typically seen in allergic diseases. While sore throat accompanies more frequently in patients with colds, it is less common in allergic diseases.

Stating that viral respiratory tract infections such as influenza, flu, and pharyngitis, which are more common in winter, can adversely affect asthma patients and impair asthma control, Cansever continued: “For this reason, it would be beneficial for asthma and allergic rhinitis patients to be vaccinated against influenza in the appropriate season in order to reduce the negative effects of winter. . It is known that making this vaccine can at least prevent asthma attacks due to influenza viruses.

Cansever explained that washable masks can trigger asthma

Providing important information for families who have question marks about the use of masks in children, Cansever said, “The mask can be used in children over the age of two who do not have any special health problems. It is recommended not to wear a mask in children under the age of 2 due to the difficulty in breathing due to the small respiratory tract. When choosing a mask, TSE approved products that fit the face and fully cover the nose and mouth should be preferred. It is important that these products have a low allergy risk and do not contain substances such as latex, paraben and nylon. Underlining that there is no scientific study showing that wearing a mask triggers asthma, Assoc. Dr. Murat Cansever said, “Scientific studies conducted so far have shown that the use of masks in patients who do not have an asthma attack and whose asthma symptoms are under control does not cause any problems and does not trigger asthma. However, in the use of cloth masks, asthma can be triggered by washing the mask with perfumed detergent or fabric softener.

Who are at risk ? What precautions should be taken?

Individuals with previously known diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, chronic urticaria (hives), especially during the winter months,

Individuals living in regions where the outdoor temperature they live in is much lower than the average air temperature in the usual winter months and the indoor humidity increases too much,

The increase in air pollution that may occur due to the increased industrial infrastructure in the region and the people living in these regions,

House dust mites, which increase after the increase in humidity in the winter months, can live in all kinds of fabrics. They are frequently found in areas such as wool pillows, quilts and bedding, and velvet curtains. Those who use these fabrics are also at risk.

The bedding, pillow and quilt used should not be wool/feather and should be covered with mite-proof medical special covers, if possible. If possible, carpets should be removed, otherwise a small thin rug should be used instead of a large carpet. Instead of thick curtains, roller blinds or tulle curtains should be preferred.

Keep as few items as possible in the living room and keep items such as books and toys in closed cabinets.

Furry and plush toys, where mites can live intensely, should be removed.

The entire room should be cleaned at least once a week with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or high vacuum.

Individuals with allergic diseases should stay away from environments with increased air pollution in winter compared to other seasons, and should not be in crowded and unventilated closed environments for a long time.

Smoking should be avoided

Organs such as mouth, nose and eyes should be well protected so that cold air does not affect the respiratory tract.

Individuals with cold allergies should dress thickly in winter and reduce the time they are exposed to cold.

Allergic patients should stay away from environments where air pollution is intense, pay attention to hygiene rules in general environments such as nurseries / schools, and wash their hands frequently.