The current situation of pollen allergies in Vilnius and ways to help people with allergies – MadeinVilnius.lt

As the weather warms up, we can finally enjoy the rebirth of nature: the first spring flowers have bloomed, and the Japanese cherry garden in Paneri attracts crowds of people. It seems that there is nothing better than going for a walk in the park or enjoying the pleasures of the terraces after work. However, spring and “exploding” nature are not so welcome for some Vilnius residents. Pollen-allergic city dwellers experience this period with physical discomfort, manifesting symptoms of pollen allergy (hay fever).

When interviewed about hay fever, Eglė Jurgaitytė does not hide that the first heat wave of spring is tiring due to her allergy to alder and birch pollen. Allergy symptoms greatly disrupt the work and leisure activities of a well-known professional singer: “Allergy manifests itself in tickling of the nose, strong sneezing, severe wheezing, “crossing” and through the vocal cords, as the voice begins to break on low notes. Sometimes the cough starts and the eyes also react.” Egle does not hide that during the acute period of allergy, he feels powerless, and his health becomes difficult.

When asked about the remedies for hay fever, Eglė Jurgaitytė shares effective methods for her: “When allergies start, I try to cancel as many jobs as possible, stay home, or go outside only wearing a mask. Airing the house is impossible, because it is terrible to let pollen into the house; the window is opened in very special cases. I use medicine, anti-allergy nasal spray, eye drops, but it doesn’t help 100%. During allergy season, I become the “grinch” of spring, because while everyone is enjoying the first warmth, spending time outside, I am sitting indoors and begging for rain to settle the pollen flying in the air faster. The most difficult are the first, peak days, after that the body gets better and I become myself again, I can safely be outside, sneezing from time to time, but it doesn’t bother me anymore.”

The current situation regarding pollen allergies in the city of Vilnius agreed to be discussed by Dr. Dr. Vilnius University Hospital’s pediatric allergist. Ieva Adomaite. According to the doctor, every year when spring comes, the flow of patients complaining of allergic rhinitis or asthma exacerbations increases. “As the weather warms, the concentration of pollen in the air increases rapidly, and allergy to pollen often manifests itself with clear symptoms,” the child allergist cites as the reason for the annual influx of patients.

Which pollens most often cause allergies in Vilnius residents?

In Vilnius, as in the whole of Lithuania, allergies to pollen from birch trees, grasses and weeds are common. In the spring, during the flowering of birch trees, I observe the highest flow of patients, although a number of allergic persons also occur during the flowering season of other plants. It is not uncommon for patients to be allergic to multiple pollen sources, so when one plant blooms, symptoms continue as others begin to bloom.

Does urban air pollution affect the symptoms of people with pollen allergies?

Yes. What could be distinguished not only in Vilnius, but also in other big cities, is that air pollution can contribute to the symptoms of respiratory allergic diseases, so it is very important to protect our environment in order to facilitate the course of these diseases in susceptible individuals.

Of course, during the active period, allergy symptoms are alleviated with allergy medications. What is the importance of non-drug treatments for hay fever?

Non-drug hay fever treatments can be very effective for some people. In fact, they are a foundational part of any patient’s treatment plan, and I advise all allergy patients to follow these guidelines. Unfortunately, these measures are not enough for everyone.

Is it possible to reduce the symptoms caused by allergies without medication, in nature?

Yes. First of all, people with allergies should know the flowering period of the plants whose pollen they are allergic to. This information can be obtained using mobile apps such as PASYFO, which allow you to predict the risk of allergies. During the pollen season, people with allergies are advised to stay outdoors less, especially on dry, windy days. Wearing medical masks and goggles may reduce symptoms when spending time outdoors. In addition, after returning from the field, it is important to rinse the nose with isotonic saline solution and the eyes with artificial tears or physiological solution, bathe and change clothes. All this helps to remove pollen from the skin and mucous membranes, hair, clothes and stops its effect after returning home.

What measures should people with allergies take at home?

At home, it is recommended to keep the windows closed, and if you need to ventilate the space, it is best to do it after rain or late at night. There are also various ventilation systems and air filters that can help reduce pollen levels. It should be remembered that laundry drying outside, pets walking outside can also “bring” pollen into the house. In this case, it is best to dry the laundry at home, and pamper the pets with bathing more often during this season.

Is specific immunotherapy used in Lithuania for the treatment of hay fever?

Yes. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is a treatment method in which regular doses of allergen are administered to the patient in order to reduce the patient’s reactivity to allergens and the symptoms caused by them. There is evidence that such treatment can even reduce the likelihood of the allergy progressing to more severe forms, such as the development of asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy can be administered by sublingual or subcutaneous injections. Both methods are safe and effective and can be used even in children as young as five years old. We usually recommend this treatment to patients for whom conventional non-medicinal and medicinal hay fever treatments are not effective enough. Allergen-specific immunotherapy can also be recommended for patients with milder allergy symptoms.

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