Spring is also allergy season

Spread of allergies

The number of people suffering from pollen allergies is increasing worldwide, especially in developed countries and among people living in urban environments. While approximately 85 million adults in the United States suffer from allergic rhinitis every year, the situation is becoming increasingly worrying worldwide. According to 2021 data, 31.8% of the American adult population is affected by seasonal allergies. The severity of the symptoms can cause discomfort such as itching and tearing, significantly affecting the quality of life of allergy sufferers. Australian research has shown that 24% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis by the age of 18.

Allergens are external substances that trigger an allergic reaction and can enter the body through the respiratory system, digestive system or skin. Each patient has an individual threshold, which means that the same amount of allergen that is tolerated by one person can cause a severe reaction in another. Patients with allergic rhinitis often experience eye symptoms, such as itching, irritation, redness or tearing, also known as allergic conjunctivitis. The allergic reaction can also affect the eyelids, causing swelling, redness, itching and, in rare cases, eczema. Eye allergies can be seasonal – they can last during the spring and autumn periods, when the concentration of pollen in the air is higher, or they can be permanent if the affected person also suffers from allergies to fur and dust.

The situation is not good at home either

The situation in Hungary is particularly worrying in terms of allergic diseases, as our country is one of the most allergenic areas in Europe when it comes to ragweed. The severity of the problem is clearly demonstrated by the fact that nearly 25% of the Hungarian population is affected by ragweed allergy. The situation is most serious in the southern part of the country, where ragweed sensitivity can be detected in more than 80% of adult patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis during skin tests. Ragweed started to spread in our country and from there it began to spread in Central and Eastern Europe. The problem lies not only in the presence of ragweed itself, but also in the fact that the European pollen map is constantly changing. For many, certain types of grass, weeds and nettle flowers can also be allergenic. This is also influenced by cultural factors such as the introduction of new plant species such as birch, cypress or oak trees in city parks, as well as the effects of climate change. As a result, the Hungarian population has to deal not only with ragweed, but also with a constantly expanding range of allergens, which further challenges sensitive eyes and respiratory tracts.