Acıbadem University Atakent Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Diseases Specialist Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz says that due to the flying around of pollen, many problems can be experienced especially in people with an allergic constitution, and these problems called ‘spring allergy’ or ‘hay fever’ can be confused with upper respiratory tract infections.
THESE COMPLAINTS SHOW ITSELF
As a result of the pollen circulating around in the spring, people who are allergic to these pollens develop various complaints. The main symptoms of this disease, which is also defined as “spring allergy” or “hay fever”; ENT Specialist Dr., who lists these as runny nose, nasal congestion, nasal itching, frequent sneezing, itching in the ears and throat, redness and watering in the eyes, nasal discharge, cough and shortness of breath. “Sometimes, these complaints may be accompanied by a decrease in the sense of smell and taste, snoring due to nasal congestion, and sleep disturbance.”
CAN BE MIXED WITH OTHER DISEASES
Spring allergy, which usually recurs every year in a certain time period, can be confused with other diseases. Since the symptoms are similar to the diseases caused by viruses, the person does not understand that it is caused by allergies, so the disease progresses because he does not realize that he needs to be treated for allergies.
Stating that allergy can be confused with upper respiratory tract infection or sinusitis, Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz speaks as follows: “Upper respiratory tract infections, which we call colds or flu, are diseases caused by viruses after our body resistance decreases. Although it causes similar complaints with spring allergy, the complaints regress in about a week. In sinusitis caused by viruses or bacteria, there may be complaints similar to spring allergies. However, in sinusitis, the runny nose is yellow-green and may be accompanied by headache and fever; In spring allergy, the runny nose is like water and is not accompanied by fever.”
DON’T THINK ‘THAT’S HOWEVER’!
Spring allergy occurs mostly in the spring months, regardless of the person’s body resistance. Stating that during this period, the patients constantly complained that ‘I feel like the flu’, ‘it never goes away’ or ‘my nose is constantly running like water’, Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz emphasizes that patients should not think that these ailments, which are actually caused by allergies, are due to viruses and not think ‘it will go away anyway’, and that they should definitely get expert opinion for the right treatment.
Stating that the diagnosis of spring allergy is made by nasal examination and then testing for allergies, Dr. Beyhan Yılmaz says that antihistamine drugs, nasal sprays and allergy vaccines are used in the treatment.