When the poplar fluff stops flying. Features of the season: poplar fluff

In 2010, winter showed its harsh character with frosts and February snowfalls, the beginning of spring with a sharp lack of water, and summer began earlier than usual by at least 2 weeks. An abnormally warm April gave rise to the rapid development of greenery - already now, in the first ten days of June, ovaries are hanging on apple and pear trees, the size of which corresponds to the fruits of mid-late June, at the same time this year lilac, bird cherry, rowan have bloomed, and the leaves on birch trees have unfurled Moscow already in the last ten days of April. And, of course, the poplar made itself known, and how it did!

Based on long-term observations of the development of poplars, it has been established that the emergence of fluff begins in early June and lasts approximately 2 weeks - but this occurs in normal, not abnormal conditions. climatic conditions. Take a look - outside the window, a downy snowstorm sweeps away the sun's glare, city greenery, pockmarked streets... and this disgrace began in mid-May!! The lawns are covered with a white blanket, with every step the fluff flies up from under your feet, floats in the air, preventing you from breathing...

True, according to experts, such a picture was already observed in the 70s. But this doesn’t make it any easier for us. Let's figure out why many of us are hostile to poplar fluff and, in general, to poplar itself.

Why did they start planting poplars in cities?

Poplars have been used in urban landscaping since 1946. After the Great Patriotic War it was necessary to restore the appearance of Moscow as quickly as possible and replace the lost trees. It should be noted that previously in landscaping to create parks, gardens, shady areas, hedges and protective strips, coniferous and deciduous tree species were used - spruce, pine, larch, birch, bird cherry, apple tree, maple, ash, elm, oak, as well as shrubs - lilac, hawthorn, mock orange, acacia, bladderwort and some other species, but poplar was not used for these purposes.

The lost mature trees urgently needed to be replaced with something. Dendrologists suggested - it is different rapid growth, dense crown, ease of reproduction, resistance to urban conditions, decorative appearance, occupies less area than other trees, due to the compactness of the crown, and is relatively cheap. The proposal was considered, the landscaping program was approved by Stalin, and poplars came to Moscow and began their victorious march across the country. And, by the way, they fulfilled their task perfectly. But…

Mistake or oversight?

As a result, residents of the entire country are doomed to eternal “downy” torment. Why did this happen? AND - eternal question- Who is guilty?

Did the scientists make a mistake in their choice? The answer is no, we were not mistaken. So what's the big deal then?

Poplar is a dioecious plant, meaning it has male and female trees. The male ones bloom, giving pollen, pollinating the female ones, and the female ones already produce seeds equipped with downy fluff - the hated down.

A reasonable question: Was it really impossible to plant only male specimens?

So that’s exactly what was done! Only landed male plants– and this became a fatal coincidence. You can’t fool nature, and this was perfectly demonstrated by the example of poplars. It is known that plants, some animals and insects in certain situations, adapting to living conditions, are capable of changing sex. After all, the trees had to reproduce, so they found a way out. To everyone's horror and displeasure, botanists, dendrologists, and other industry specialists have observed the appearance of female catkins on male poplars, on branches next to the male flowers.

By the way, it should be clarified. Poplar fluff is not flowers, but poplar seeds. Poplar blooms even before the leaves appear; its male catkins appear immediately after the buds burst.

So does fluff cause allergies or not?

Allergists unanimously refute all attacks on poplar, claiming that poplar fluff does not cause allergies, but can provoke them. The period of fluff's summer coincides with the flowering period of cereal grasses, birch, linden and other plants, the pollen of which causes sensitive people very unpleasant and even life-threatening allergic reactions. And fluff is a carrier of pollen, various pathogens, and man-made pollutants.

The fluff itself is also unpleasant, being a purely mechanical irritant - in the heat it sticks to the body, tickles, gets into the nose, ears, and under glasses. Agree, it’s not very pleasant.

Besides, even without fluff, life in the city is full of troubles.

People suffering from hay fever, a reaction to pollen, can be advised not to leave the house without gauze bandage, don't hold it for long open windows and balcony doors, use allergy medications prescribed by a doctor and under no circumstances self-medicate herbal infusions and decoctions - instead of relief, you can sharply worsen your condition.

But this is not the only harmfulness of fluff. It penetrates the premises, accumulating in the corners in lush snowdrifts and piles, adding to the hassle of cleaning. The fluffs themselves are dry, volatile, weightless, and very flammable. Fluff is a fire hazard; one unextinguished cigarette butt thrown into the trash can can lead to a fire. And children often have fun throwing lit matches into the fluff.

How to fix the situation?

The only way, in my opinion, to radically change the situation is to replace Balsam Poplar and other non-fruit-bearing types of poplars, for example, Berlin Poplar, for several years. True, utility services do not want to hear about this, citing the excessive cost of the event and lack of funds. Choosing a suitable replacement crop is, of course, not an easy task. How to avoid getting burned again. But this must be done, otherwise the torment will continue to last.

It is possible and necessary to carry out competent pruning of poplars, forming them “from a young age” into a tree with several skeletal branches, and not into one bare trunk with thin branches, as is now done with mature, 50-60-year-old trees.

Of the 500 thousand city poplars, approximately 40 thousand trees cover Moscow with fluff in May - June. This year he flew a little earlier. And all because of the warm spring, as ecologists explain. For example, last year the poplars were planted at the end of June, because May and the beginning of summer were cold. Experts assure that the flowering and bushing of trees this year should end in the first ten days of June.

In fact, there is now much less fluff in Moscow than, for example, in the early 1990s, the head of the Department of Environmental Management and Protection told KP environment Moscow Anton Kulbachevsky. - Each such poplar is the most effective filter air. They grow mainly along outbound highways - Leningradka, Prof. Union Street, Kutuzovsky Prospekt. They protect against noise and car emissions. We replace approximately 2 - 3 thousand poplars per year. In ten years, there will be so little fluff that no one will even feel it. Pushing poplars include females because they produce seeds. There is less fluff when rejuvenating pruning of mature and very old trees is carried out. Currently, under the “Million Trees” and “Hole to Hole” programs, we are planting three species of non-pushing poplars. These are the Berlin, Simona and Cherny varieties. Moreover, we take only male specimens. These trees tolerate soot, smoke and dust well and thrive in the city. For example, an adult black poplar can absorb up to 30 kilograms in a season. harmful substances from the air.

In fact, an allergy to poplar fluff is extremely rare in nature. Allergies are caused by grass-weeds and other trees and shrubs, the pollen and spores of which are carried by fur balls, says professor allergist-immunologist Yuri Smolkin.

The fluff itself, getting into the nose and getting into the mouth, causes irritation of the mucous membranes. This causes a runny nose, tears from the eyes, and a sore throat. These are the most frequent symptoms seasonal allergies- hay fever. Symptoms of an allergy to poplar fluff:

Sore throat.

Redness of the eyes.

The eyelids swell, tears flow from the eyes.

Nasal congestion and an allergic runny nose appear (its difference from a cold is that the nose flows almost constantly, the discharge is liquid and transparent).

Possible skin reaction in the form of itching - itchy skin of the face and hands.

When does poplar fluff begin to fly?

In Central Russia, in the capital region, in particular, poplar fluff usually begins to fly in early June. Sometimes, if May is cold, the dusting of poplars “shifts” to the end of June and beginning of July. In 2018, May was warm, so poplar fluff appeared according to the usual schedule.

How long does poplar fluff fly?

Poplar fluff will fly actively for ten days, maximum two weeks, then it will go on the decline By the way, in June in Moscow and the region there is a high concentration of pollen from coniferous plants - pine and spruce. Also, birch, maple, and willow continue to “gather dust,” but their violence is already on the decline.

7 rules for protecting against poplar fluff:

1. Try not to walk in dry, windy weather, especially from 11 pm to 8 pm - at this time the concentration of pollen in the city is the highest.

2. Buy a spray with sea ​​water(Aqua-Maris, Allergol, Aqualor, Marimer, Physiomer, Quicks and others - there are many of them, you can choose by price and bottle size). And spray your nose several times a day. This will not only help clear the nasal passages of fluff, but will also moisturize the mucous membranes and relieve swelling.

3. Don't let large cluster fur balls in enclosed spaces. When driving through poplar alleys, close your car windows. At home, hang either a small mosquito net or gauze moistened with water on windows and balconies.

4. Use humidifiers and air purifiers (washers). Increased dryness provokes allergy attacks. In order to always know what the air humidity is in the apartment, you can buy a simple household hygrometer (a device for measuring air humidity). Values ​​from 40 to 65 percent are considered normal.

5. If your house is surrounded by poplars, it makes sense to walk through the rooms with a wet mop twice a day - morning and evening. Most types of vacuum cleaners are powerless against poplars: they do not so much collect super-light lumps as blow them into the corners.

6. Many people complain that fluff makes their nose stuffy. And they start dripping desperately vasoconstrictor drops. But their constant use causes dryness and destruction of the mucous membranes. So if you can’t bear it, you can use such drops no more than twice a day and no longer than a week.

7. If you have a violent reaction, try to eat fewer foods while the poplars are dusting that can increase allergic reactions: honey, seafood, chocolate, citrus fruits, blue cheeses. And also do not drink herbal alcohol: tinctures, vermouths, liqueurs. It’s better to abstain altogether: any alcohol increases allergies.

IMPORTANT!

There are now many medications for allergies - antihistamines. But each of them is “tailored” to relieve different symptoms. For example, Erius works best against urticaria, fenkarol - against a sore throat, claritin, clarotadine - against skin itching. Therefore, when buying an antihistamine, you first need to consult a doctor or at least carefully read the instructions. And pay attention to this point: is it possible to drive a car after taking this medicine (some allergy medications cause drowsiness).

QUESTION ON THE TOPIC

Poplar fluff makes your eyes very itchy and inflamed. Is it possible to somehow fight this?

Evgeny Zaslavsky, allergist:

It looks like allergic conjunctivitis. The eyes become red, watery, itchy and itchy, and there is a feeling as if there is a speck there that is impossible to reach. The cause of the disease is hypersensitivity to plant pollen. If you have not yet been tested for allergies, then you need to do this as quickly as possible to find out which plant pollen you have a reaction to. Treating seasonal conjunctivitis is not easy.

First important step- at least limit contact with the allergen. When outside, protect your eyes with glasses; when coming from the street, be sure to wash your face to wash off the pollen.

Also, during an exacerbation, it is recommended to adhere to special diet, allergists call it elimination. Eliminate from your menu for a while such highly allergenic foods as chocolate, strawberries, canned fish, smoked meats, and hot spices.

Go see an ophthalmologist. He will select antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs for you eye drops, artificial tear preparations. Often an allergic reaction is accompanied by an infection. Inflamed from allergies and having lost its protective properties, the mucous membrane of the eye becomes easy prey for viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.

The real scourge of the season is poplar fluff. Not only do they suffer from it, but they also completely healthy people. Glasses and medical masks will help minimize negative reactions the body during the season of poplar fluff, which in itself does not cause allergic reactions, but carries pollen from allergenic plants, according to doctors interviewed by Medpulse.

Poplars are fluffy and not very

The poplar fluff season has just begun in Moscow this year, at the very end of May. Experts are carrying out sanitary pruning of poplar branches in the capital to reduce the amount of fluff on the city streets. According to a representative of the Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection of Moscow, fluffy types of poplars are gradually being replaced with non-fushy ones.

According to allergist, head of the scientific advisory department of the Institute of Immunology of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia Lyudmila Luss, allergies to poplar are quite rare.

Consequences of an allergen storm

“Most often, when allergic reactions are observed during the spread of fluff, they are associated not with poplar, but with pollen of cereal grasses. In this case, fluff is a sorbent, that is, it collects pollen on its surface. And when fluff gets on the nasal mucosa, naturally, an allergic reaction occurs, but, I emphasize, most often not to the poplar itself, but to the pollen carried by the down,” said L. Luss.

According to the director of the Pulmonology Research Institute of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Professor Alexander Chuchalin, the capital is still experiencing the consequences of the allergenic storm that occurred at the end of April. "The number of allergens in the city's air has increased 40 thousand times. This is unprecedented for Moscow, and this tail continues to this day, so we see a sharp surge in allergic diseases. The allergy situation in our country currently extremely tense,” said Academician Chuchalin.

He emphasized that poplar fluff is not an active allergen, however, it carries other aeroallergens. “In addition, poplar fluff is a serious irritant, in particular to the respiratory tract,” noted Chuchalin.

Wet cleaning, mask and glasses

According to Luss, the rules of conduct during poplar fluff season are the same as for any other type of allergy.

Chuchalin recommends minimizing the impact of poplar fluff by observing basic hygiene rules: ventilate rooms more often if there are screens on the windows. "Spend as often as possible wet cleaning, and when going outside, wear glasses and medical masks,” he noted.

Upon returning home, you must wash and change clothes. You cannot wear the same clothes in your room as you wear on the street, Luss reminded.

The head of the immunological center of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Professor Sergei Sokurenko also recommends taking a shower at least twice a day and washing your face more often so that the pollen carried by fluff does not accumulate on the face.

Those people who are already seeing an allergist and know their symptoms need to take the medications that the doctor prescribed for them. These can be products with both therapeutic and preventive effects, Luss noted.

Allergy to poplar fluff is a seasonal disease and appears with the beginning of poplar flowering (from late May to June). Poplar filters the air quite well, so it is most often planted in large cities.

But this tree has one significant drawback - when flowering begins, it stands out great amount poplar fluff, which, contrary to popular belief, IS NOT AN ALLERGEN. However, fluff plays the role of a kind of sponge that absorbs all harmful substances, including pollen, harmful substances and spores of various plants.

It is as a result of the accumulation of allergens that an allergy to poplar fluff develops, manifesting negative symptoms. In addition, poplar fluff is very light and can get into premises, transport, public places etc., provoking the disease in predisposed people.

With the development of any allergic disease common features are determined that are manifested by the body’s immune reaction, which rejects the antigen, defining it as a foreign protein.

Often a provocateur acute attack may be different kinds intoxications ( narcotic substances, alcohol, household and industrial pesticides, etc.), as well as poor ecology. Numerous studies indicate that residents of large industrial cities are 2 times more likely to suffer from allergies.

The development of an allergic reaction can also be caused by hereditary predisposition and hormonal imbalances in the patient’s body. Besides this, a lot important for the emergence allergic symptoms It has structural change nervous system and the presence of chronic infections.

Symptoms

Allergy to poplar fluff is most often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• frequent sneezing, rhinitis;
• redness of the eyelids, lacrimation and pain in the eyes;
• possible difficulty breathing, accompanied by suffocation;
• on skin a hyperemic rash may appear, which can be local or spread throughout the body;
• as a rule, the rash is accompanied by unbearable itching;
• from the central nervous system increased drowsiness, lethargy and fast fatiguability. Sometimes dizziness and migraine-like symptoms are possible headache;
• at severe course allergies, Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. In this case, the symptoms increase rapidly and there is a direct threat to the patient’s life. Therefore, despite the first aid provided, it is recommended to immediately call a medical team.

It should be remembered that allergic symptoms The effects of poplar flowering are most severely aggravated in windy and hot weather. For any development of the disease, it is necessary to carry out timely therapy. This will help avoid possible complications.

Therapeutic measures

Therapeutic measures to relieve an acute attack of allergy primarily involve limiting contact with the allergen (in this case, poplar fluff). Further treatment is performed according to the following algorithm:

• to reduce the impact of inflammatory mediators, a course of antihistamines (Claritin, Diazolin, Loratadine, Fenkarol, etc.) is prescribed. The use of antihistamines should be carried out taking into account possible side effects(drowsiness, lethargy, loss of concentration);
• to relieve external manifestations, it is recommended to use ointments (Lokoid, Hydrocortisone, etc.);
• in the absence of a positive effect during treatment, glucocorticosteroid drugs orally and injection form(Prednisolone, Kenalog, Dexamesaton, etc.). However, it should be taken into account that hormonal agents are not intended for long-term use, as they have a number of serious consequences;

• in all cases must be carried out symptomatic therapy, and it is also necessary to comply hypoallergenic diet excluding highly allergenic foods (honey, strawberries, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc.).

It is important to remember that with any changes general condition It is necessary to seek medical advice to clarify the diagnosis and choose the most optimal method of treating allergies.

Possible complications of an allergic reaction

Any allergies, including a hyperreaction to poplar fluff, can cause serious complications, ranging from mild degree rhinitis and conjunctivitis before the development of an asthmatic attack.

Seasonal allergies are especially dangerous in childhood and during pregnancy. In children, in the absence of treatment, acute symptoms most often provoke the development of sinusitis, otitis, lymphadenitis and pathological changes in the respiratory system.

In pregnant women with seasonal development of allergies, mandatory monitoring of the patient’s condition is necessary, since there is a possibility of deviations in intrauterine development fetus, because prolonged cough and impaired nasal breathing in the mother due to allergies can provoke fetal hypoxia. In addition, in 50% of cases there is a chance of transmitting the disease to a child.

allergiyanet.ru

At the end of May – beginning of June, poplar fluff will appear on the streets of the capital, the press service of the State Budgetary Institution “Mospriroda” told M24.ru.

“There were no weather anomalies this year, so poplar fluff will appear, as usual, at the end of May or beginning of June,” explained the State Budgetary Institution Mospriroda.

There are about 300 thousand poplars growing in the capital, of which 120 thousand are “pushing”. To reduce the likelihood of an allergy to poplar fluff, you should protect the windows with mesh or gauze, and carry out wet cleaning more often - a vacuum cleaner will not help in this case. In addition, it is recommended to rinse your nose with sea water by purchasing a special spray at the pharmacy, and also not to drink alcohol, which traditionally worsens allergies.

Experts note that poplar fluff itself does not cause allergies: it is caused by pollen from other plants that gets on the fluff. Allergy symptoms are more likely to occur in windy and hot weather.

Residents of the southwest and southeast of the city suffer most from poplar fluff. Fluff not only gets on your hair and clothes, it often clogs car radiator grilles, which can lead to breakdowns. In addition, poplar fluff burns very well - rescuers constantly warn about the danger, but the number of arsonists does not decrease. There have been cases where children played with fire in areas with large accumulations of fluff, which caused buildings and cars to catch fire.

To get rid of fluff, poplars are pruned twice a year, but this is not always effective. Down is formed only on female trees: male trees produce red earrings, pollen appears in them, which flies to the flowers of female trees, which is why down appears.

If males are trimmed, they can turn into females and also become sources of fluff. If you trim the branches on a female, the tree will not spread fluff for several years.

Poplars do not change sex because they are deprived of their gender characteristics after pruning; this is caused by stress. According to Vladimir Murashov, candidate of biological sciences, this is observed very often in plants. Biologists say that before pruning poplars, it is necessary to mark which ones are male and which are female.

In the summer of 2013, the capital authorities announced that it was planned to defeat fluff within 7 years, that is, by the summer of 2020. During this time, all females must go through an “inquisition” by city services and disappear.

www.m24.ru

Causes of allergy to poplar fluff

Malaise occurs only during the flowering season of certain plants. The disease has another name, which was common in the past - hay fever, because before people It was believed that allergies were caused by hay.

Allergies are characterized by a hereditary predisposition. People in this risk group have certain antibody proteins in their bodies that react with the allergenic structure of pollen. By combining in the human body, the allergen and protein interact.

The result is a biological release active substances, such as histamine, which cause characteristic symptoms.

Allergens

To date, there are no characterized poplar allergens. The plant itself rarely causes allergies.

Cross reactivity

Poplar belongs to the genus of dioecious, deciduous, fast-growing trees of the Willow family. Cross-reactivity can be expected between members of the genus Populus.

When does poplar fluff appear and what pollen does it carry?

In different regions of Russia, the months when poplar begins to bloom may vary. In the south, for example, in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar and the Stavropol region, the first fluff appears at the end of May; in the central part of the country, for example, Moscow - in June, and in the Northern Urals it blooms by early July.

Plants blooming at this time, their pollen can be adsorbed by fluff:

Symptoms of an allergy to poplar fluff

Here's how an allergy to fluff manifests itself. During an exacerbation, the patient experiences the following symptoms.

• external manifestations - swollen, reddened wings of the nose, eyelids;
• attacks of sneezing due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa, runny nose;
• conjunctivitis, itchy eyes;
• disorders of the digestive tract;
• general malaise – headache, loss of appetite, weakness.

Allergy to poplar fluff in children

Symptoms of seasonal allergies in children are much the same as in adults and may include:

• runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy nose,
• tearing, burning and itching in the eyes
• sneezing.

If your child suffers from asthma, you may also notice an increase in symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

In young children who cannot describe symptoms, some general signs that they are worried about allergies. Among them:

• The child rubs the base of the nose up and down with the palm of his hand due to itching and irritation of the nasal passages.
• He got dark circles and swelling under the eyes.

The child may also become irritable and have difficulty calming down.

It is important to monitor all manifestations of allergies

Keep a journal or diary of your symptoms. Pay attention to what your child does before the allergic reaction occurs - where he walks, what he eats and drinks, and so on. Also, keep notes on how your child responds to any treatment.

Timely completion of such a diary will help effective diagnostics and prescription of treatment.

How to distinguish allergies from colds?

Colds and exacerbation of allergies to poplar fluff have similar symptoms. It is important to be able to distinguish one disease from another, especially if it is not possible to immediately seek help. medical care.

Unreasonable use antiviral drugs may cause worsening of the allergy sufferer's condition.

In the table below you can see the main differences between colds and down allergies.

However, there may be layers of allergies and colds. To prevent this from happening, people during seasonal exacerbation are advised to visit crowded places as little as possible and avoid hypothermia, since viral infections can seriously aggravate the patient's condition.

Diagnosis of allergies

Several methods are used to make a diagnosis.

• blood test, nasal discharge for eosinophils (a subtype of blood leukocytes that absorbs and binds histamine);
• radiography of the parietal sinuses of the nose - with acute phase noticeable shading and parietal edema;
• spirography (registration of function external respiration) – bronchial patency decreases;
• skin tests and provocative tests;
• questioning by an allergist about the seasonality of exacerbations, weather dependence, the presence of cross food allergies, heredity, combination bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis.

Treatment of allergies to poplar fluff

Pharmacological treatment relieves the patient of allergy symptoms. Are used antihistamines, including those based on hormones, depending on the severity of the condition.

If the main manifestation is rhinitis, then cromones are prescribed; in severe cases, glucosteroids are indicated in the form of nasal sprays, means for local application– ointments, creams. At bronchial asthma use bronchodilators. Vasoconstrictor drugs regulate tone blood vessels and relieve nasal congestion.

Only a doctor prescribes medications and chooses a treatment regimen, since medications not only have contraindications(for example, children's and old age, pregnancy), but also react when used simultaneously. So may arise unwanted effects, complicating the allergy sufferer’s condition and complicating treatment.

Drugs that are often used in the treatment of hay fever:

• Loratadine;
• Cetirizine;
• Akrivastine;
• Ebastine;
• Fexofenadine and others.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (abbreviated as ASIT) is effective, which, in particular, reduces sensitivity to allergens and reduces the manifestations of inflammation. Therapeutic effect Vaccination is more effective the earlier it is started. ASIT differs from pharmacotherapy in its longer duration clinical effect. Duration of therapy is 3–5 courses.

What can be done without drugs?

• When the poplar blossoms, limit contact with the allergen. During the period of seasonal exacerbation, patients are limited in their stay at fresh air, it is not allowed to be in the green zone. It is recommended to wear sunglasses when outdoors.
• After returning to the room, it is shown shower, change of clothes required. But it is also recommended to rinse your eyes with boiled water.
• The air in the room is conditioned, Screens are installed on the windows to prevent fluff from getting inside.
• Mandatory daily wet cleaning horizontal surfaces. For patients with severe symptoms, clinics create special wards equipped with a fine air purification system that prevents the penetration of pollen.

These activities are important during pregnancy, since the list of drugs that are approved for use during this period is limited.

Diet for allergy sufferers

If allergies to poplar and cereal pollen have worsened, it is recommended to avoid flour products and baked goods, since cross-allergy is possible. It occurs due to the similarity in the structure of the pollen allergen and any product.

Also excluded from the menu:

• fish;
• poultry meat;
• mushrooms;
• smoked;
• spices, sauces;
• red and orange vegetables;
• chocolate, cocoa;
• citrus.

The basis of the diet is lean meat, butter - cow and vegetable, dairy products, greens and the like.

Traditional methods of treatment

Celery

At hay fever V folk medicine celery root is used. Take 2 tablespoons of grated root vegetable and pour into one glass cold water, insist 4 hours. After straining, consume 80 ml three times a day half an hour before meals.

This infusion will relieve allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, urticaria.

Mumiyo

Mumiyo is considered one of the most strong means from allergies. An infusion is prepared from it. 1 g of mountain resin is dissolved in 1 liter warm water, take 100 ml once a day in the morning (children 1–3 years old - 50 ml, 4–7 years old - 70 ml). Already in the first days of treatment, night snoring disappears.

The infusion has a diuretic and laxative effect. Treatment is carried out in spring and autumn in courses of 20 days.

Prevention of allergies to poplar fluff

Preventing an exacerbation of the disease is difficult, but possible. Here are methods that will help improve the condition so that poplar allergies are more easily tolerated.

allergy-center.ru

You will need

• - Laundry soap,
• - sheet,
• - pillowcase,
• - ammonia,
• - confidant.

faqgurupro.ru

1. Prevention of exacerbations
2. Literature

Description of poplar and poplar fluff

At the end of May and June, poplar fluff appears in cities, which many allergy sufferers (especially in the presence of pollen sensitization) mistakenly believe to be the cause of exacerbations of their diseases.

The plant that produces fluff is poplar (lat. Populus) - a genus of dioecious deciduous fast-growing trees of the Willow family ( Salicaceae), including about 35 species of trees, among which in Europe (including European territory Russia) a typical representative is white poplar.

IN Soviet times poplars were used for urban landscaping much more actively than any other trees.

It purifies the air, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen in greater volumes than any other trees that can grow without special care in our harsh climate, on streets polluted with automobile and factory exhausts.

However, along with poplars came a problem that at one time was not given much importance - “poplar fluff” (poplar seeds with a tuft of numerous thin silky hairs at the base).

There are more than 1,000 seeds in 1 gram. Thus, poplar fluff is not poplar pollen, which is present in the air in April-May, but seeds, for which silky hairs are a means of dispersal with the wind.

It is also important to note that poplars are so-called dioecious plants, that is, among them there are individuals of different sexes:

• the male sex does not produce seeds,
• the female sex carries the seeds and, therefore, produces poplar fluff.

Therefore, selective planting of male trees in the city that do not produce seeds and regular trimming of female trees is a measure to reduce the concentration of poplar fluff without damaging beneficial properties poplars (4).

Nonspecific effects of poplar fluff

When poplar fluff appears in the air, it increases the risk of fires due to easy combustion.

In addition, it has the ability to fall into Airways and on the mucous membranes of the eyes. At the same time, it causes mechanical irritation of the mucous membranes with the appearance of discomfort.

With prolonged presence on the conjunctiva of the eye, like any other foreign body, fluff can cause inflammation and infection.

Plants that generate dust during the appearance of poplar fluff

It should be noted that poplar fluff itself does not cause allergies very often. This is due to the fact that it does not have factors that contribute to sensitization of the body and the occurrence of respiratory allergies, like pollen.

The size of the poplar seed and the length of its hairs are much larger than optimal for particles that create sensitization when inhaled (for example, 20-60 micrometers for pollen grains).

Most often, allergies are caused not by poplar fluff, but by plant pollen, which is adsorbed on the surface of the fluff.

When inhaled, poplar seeds linger on the nasal mucosa.

In addition, unlike pollen grains, poplar fluff does not have a permeability factor, which in pollen grains serves to pollinate the plant and, when it gets on the mucous membranes, allows pollen to pass through the epithelium of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract (1).

Onset of symptoms pollen allergy This is due to the fact that pollen from plants that generate dust is adsorbed on the surface of poplar fluff while the poplar is distributing seeds. First of all, these are cereal grasses:

• timothy grass,
• cocksfoot,
• meadow fescue,
• meadow bluegrass,
• a number of others.

During the period of poplar fluff release, the concentration of grass pollen is maximum.

In addition, at the beginning of the poplar seed dispersal season, birch finishes dusting. At the height of the spread of poplar fluff, some representatives of weeds (for example, plantain) begin to pollinate (5).

Causes of reactions to poplar fluff

Thus, the main cause of reactions to poplar fluff is an allergy to the pollen that it carries on itself. First of all, it is pollen of cereal grasses.

In the absence of pollen sensitization, the cause of unpleasant sensations when poplar fluff comes into contact with the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract and eyes is mechanical irritation of the mucous membranes by a foreign body.

Clinical signs of reactions to poplar fluff

When pollen allergens brought with poplar fluff get on the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, a person suffering from hay fever develops an exacerbation of this disease.

First of all, these are the phenomena of rhinitis:

• nasal congestion,
• sneezing,
• itchy nose,
• abundant watery discharge from the nose.

The phenomena of conjunctivitis - itching of the eyes, lacrimation, redness of the eyes occur when allergens enter both the mucous membrane of the eyes and the nasal mucosa (1).

Also when high degree sensitization to pollen allergens, the ingress of poplar fluff (carrying pollen allergens) onto the nasal mucosa can provoke a reaction from the bronchi. The reaction may be an attack of pollen bronchial asthma with the development of cough with sputum and attacks of difficulty breathing.

This confirms the concept of the unity of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma “one system - one disease” (2).

Preventing contact with allergens

To prevent the exacerbation of hay fever due to contact with poplar fluff, the same measures are taken as for the prevention of contact with pollen flying freely in the air.

Allergy sufferers need to carry out wet cleaning of the premises every day during the period when poplar fluff flies on the streets

You should refrain from traveling outside the city during an exacerbation period, agricultural work, walks in the park and physical activity on the street.

To limit the entry of pollen allergens into the nose, nasal sprays are used, which create protection for the nasal mucosa with the help of a special film, and intranasal invisible respirators.

After coming from outside, it is important to change your underwear and take a shower and rinse your hair.

It is not recommended to ventilate the room if it is possible to replace ventilation by using an air conditioner. In its absence, ventilate the room better evening in wet weather (after rain) when there is no wind.

On open windows and the doors can be hung with a well-moistened sheet or gauze (in several layers).

You should also not open the windows in the car, especially when traveling outside the country.

Also, do not dry your clothes outside after washing.

In addition, it is important to prevent poplar fluff from getting into the room where you are staying for a long time, carry out wet cleaning of the room daily, and if there are poplars under the windows of the apartment, wipe the surfaces 2-3 times a day.

Since poplar seeds are relatively large particles, the use of invisible respirators (you can purchase them from the Allergifri online store) sunglasses(or glasses preference contact lenses in persons with myopia and other accommodation disorders) gives good effect in terms of protection from poplar fluff.

The best remedy non-drug prevention symptoms is traveling to a different climate zone.

Drug treatment of exacerbation

Drug treatment of manifestations of an allergic disease is prescribed by an allergist-immunologist.

In fact, the following treatments are used for pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis:

• cromoglycic acid preparations in the form of eye drops,
• intranasal glucocorticoids,
• antihistamines for oral administration.

In the presence of pollen bronchial asthma, based on the results of the examination, an individual regimen is prescribed regular intake inhaled glucocorticosteroids or combination anti-asthma drugs. In addition, recommendations are given on taking bronchodilators to relieve asthma attacks (3).

Prevention of exacerbations

In case of pollen allergies, for which poplar fluff is an additional provocateur, it is important to visit a doctor outside the season of grass dusting and the appearance of poplar fluff - in the autumn-winter period (see “seasonal planning of visits to the doctor for pollen allergies”).

At this time, a specific diagnosis of allergies is carried out through skin tests (prick tests, prick tests). Allergen-specific immunotherapy is also performed.

This is done to prevent severe exacerbations, expand the spectrum of sensitization and add pollen bronchial asthma to the symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and, of course, to significantly alleviate the symptoms of the disease in subsequent seasons (1).

For pollen allergies, allergen-specific therapy gives best results (6).

www.allergyfree.ru

When poplar fluff would fly in Moscow or other Russian cities in 2018, one could predict by the arrival of strong spring heat. After all, it was precisely this that caused the early appearance of poplar fluff in the month of May, instead of the usual June for such a thing.

Poplar fluff floating in the air looks beautiful. With every breath of wind it playfully flies into different sides. But not everyone can calmly enjoy this view. Many people begin to suffer from allergic manifestations caused by this beautiful natural phenomenon.

In May, the streets were filled with poplar fluff, hated by the townspeople. It is hateful for people prone to hay fever.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to plant pollen. The disease was discovered at the beginning of the 19th century. Today, 15-35% of the population suffers from hay fever, depending on the region. However, these figures may be underestimated - not every allergy sufferer consults a doctor, preferring to self-medicate.

But there is nothing to blame for poplar fluff - there is no allergy to it as such. However, fluff is capable of carrying pollen and spores of other plants, which precisely cause allergic reaction, manifested in the form of a runny nose, red eyes, cough, dermatitis.

To find out which plant pollen causes allergies, it is necessary to conduct allergy testing. It consists of either applying an allergen solution to scratches on the skin or testing the blood for antibodies to the allergen.

It should be borne in mind that most allergy sufferers experience cross-allergy during seasonal exacerbations. Those who suffer from a reaction to birch pollen may also experience allergies to carrots, hazelnuts, apples, and peaches. If you are allergic to wormwood, you may experience a reaction to citrus fruits, honey, or sunflower seeds.

Harm from poplar fluff in Moscow for office workers and vehicle drivers

In hot weather, office windows are often open. Fluff flying into the premises gets into office equipment, leading to breakdowns. It clogs the radiators, preventing air flow, and the equipment overheats.

You can save yourself from poplar fluff by simply closing the windows and using air conditioning.

In addition, you should not work on a computer with the side wall of the system unit removed. You should also regularly inspect the equipment and remove any adhering fluff.

Cars suffer from a similar problem. Debris and small stones flying out from under the wheels of the car in front fly through the air conditioner condenser and get stuck in the cooling radiator. Poplar fluff is also stuffed there, which binds everything together. fine particles debris and forms a thick “fur coat”, similar to dust compacted into a lump in the dust collector of a vacuum cleaner.

Poplar fluff can cause fires in Moscow

Poplar fluff is extremely fire hazardous - in a matter of seconds, square meters of fluff in yards, parks, summer cottages. Large accumulations of fluff between garages are especially dangerous.

While adults can accidentally start a fire by dropping an unextinguished cigarette into the fluff, children and teenagers often deliberately set fire to it for fun. However, adults are also guilty of this - for example, on May 28, 2018, in Bobruisk, he almost burned down wooden house- two men set fire to the fluff next to a building under construction.

All questions about the harmfulness of poplar fluff were answered by the head of the Moscow Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection Anton Kulbachevsky.

He stated that fluff is the best natural filter that absorbs everything carcinogens. And, of course, scattering along the road network, it absorbs a lot of harmful substances and then, getting into different ways into the human respiratory tract, can irritate the mucous membranes and cause some allergic reactions.

Kulbachevsky also assured everyone that Moscow poplars would stop producing fluff naturally in 10-15 years. It has become much smaller, and we should also not forget that a lot depends on weather conditions.

Last year there was a cold May and early June, so the poplars began to fluff only at the end of June. This spring there was a very warm May, at the end of which fluff began to appear, so flowering and fluffing will take place in the first ten days of June.

The destruction of poplars in Moscow will bring a number of big troubles

There is only one way to combat fluff - pour water on it, sweep it into heaps and dispose of it.

At the same time, it is impossible to get rid of poplars - they are necessary to purify the air.

On the one hand, poplar is a source of fluff. On the other hand, it is the most tenacious and strong tree, which can exist in a transformed urban environment.

The lack of poplars for a city like Moscow is fraught with big problems, including for allergy sufferers. The question is very ambiguous. I think that for large, smoky highways and for the center of Moscow there is nothing to replace poplar yet.”

Beijing has found a solution to the problem with poplar fluff

They began actively planting poplars in Moscow in the 1950s-1960s. The trees turned out to be ideal for landscaping the city - the poplar is unpretentious, can survive even on highly saline soils, tolerates the presence of smoke and soot in the air, and grows very quickly. In addition, it is capable of producing several times more oxygen than pine or spruce, and actively absorbs metal-containing dust.

In the coming years, there may be much fewer poplars in Moscow: in 2012, the authorities promised to rid the city of “fluffy” trees and replace them with other species.

These plans were confirmed by the head of the capital’s Department of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Protection, Anton Kulbachevsky, in 2014.

In Beijing, they proposed solving the problem in a more sophisticated way - changing the sex of trees using special injections. The fact is that only “female” poplars “push”. However, planting exclusively “boys” does not save the situation - under certain conditions they are capable of changing gender. In particular, this is facilitated by the complex ecological situation in cities and even pruning branches.