Lilac allergy: how to recognize symptoms and cope with the consequences

The arrival of spring can bring not only the beauty of the blooming season, but also a lot of problems. People prone to allergies are at risk. Among others, lilacs can cause them. While some people are overwhelmed by the smell of the flower and bring it home, others suffer from severe pollenosis.

Read on to find out how to recognize a lilac allergy and whether it can be treated. This was reported by SSPDaily.

Causes of lilac allergy

You are likely to be allergic to lilacs if you are already allergic to tree and grass pollen.

The development of sensitivity to lilac allergens is also influenced by:

• Heredity. Allergy sensitivity is genetically transmitted.
• Psychological factors. Most often chronic stress.

• Hormonal disorders in the body.
• Chronic and infectious diseases.
• The presence of atopic dermatitis. Allergenic pollen proteins can penetrate atopic skin.
• Pseudoallergic reactions to the smell of lilacs.

Among the main allergens is Syr v 1, which belongs to the family of Ole e 1-like proteins. Ole e 1 is the main allergen of olive pollen.

Symptoms of lilac allergy

Among the main ones:

• Rhinitis: nasal congestion and itching, as well as sneezing.

• Conjunctivitis: characterized by redness of the eyes, watery eyes, itching, and a feeling of "sand in the eyes".
• Bronchial asthma: accompanied by coughing, itchy throat, shortness of breath and wheezing.

"Skin rashes include itchy blisters and/or pimples on exposed areas of the body, exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, and redness on the body," the report says.

In addition, digestive disorders are possible: abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Prevention of pollenosis

To minimize the possibility of lilac allergy, simply avoid any contact with the allergen. Do not visit places where lilacs grow, such as botanical gardens, during the flowering period.

Also, if one of your family members is allergic to lilacs, don't bring them into your home. You should also avoid lilac-scented fragrances. Don't forget to moisturize your nose and eyes.

To prevent lilac allergy, you should also

• cover open windows with damp sheets to keep dust and pollen out;
• do daily wet cleaning at home;
• exclude from the diet foods that may contain pollen and other parts of the respective plants;
• wear sunglasses;
• avoid using chemicals in the home as much as possible.

How to deal with allergies

Allergies can be treated with medications with different methods of administration. A specific drug should be chosen with a doctor, taking into account its characteristics and the course of the disease.

For the treatment of pollinosis, the following items are used:

• systemic allergy tablets (oral route of administration, through the oral cavity)
• intranasal antiallergic sprays (nasal administration, into the nose)
• urticaria gels and creams (topical, external application to the skin surface)
• corticosteroids for inhalation, in most cases used for asthma (inhalation route of administration using a nebulizer)
• eye drops (eye instillation, refers to external, topical administration).

Also, potent drugs for intramuscular administration in acute allergic reactions are used as prescribed by a doctor.