Li Xian directly exclaimed, "It's killing me!" This season is high-risk. Urgent reminder: if you experience these symptoms, do not tough it out.

Ask AI · Why did Li Xian’s allergy-sharing spark strong resonance among netizens?

On March 27, actor Li Xian shared his spring exercise routine through his personal social platform, including a photo with his face fully covered.

In his post, he wrote: “As temperatures rise, I’m starting my route running. Beijing has reached the most comfortable weather, but it’s not the most comfortable season. Pollen allergies are torturing me to death—I don’t even dare to think about the upcoming willow catkins and flying fluff.”

This update quickly sparked resonance among netizens.

The pollen season is coming!

Never force yourself to tough it out if you experience these situations

Recently, in medical institutions across multiple regions, there has been a noticeable increase in allergy patients. Monitoring shows that, because temperatures in many parts of China are higher than usual compared with previous years, the pollen season has also started earlier, bringing allergen sufferers’ health protection into a critical period.

Is the “culprit” behind pollen allergies actually flowers? How should you correctly protect yourself at home? Let’s find out together↓

High incidence of spring pollen allergies

“The culprit” turned out not to be flowers?

Allergens can be divided into perennial allergens and seasonal allergens—

Perennial allergens exist all year round, such as dust mites and allergens carried by pets, etc.

Seasonal allergens are related to the seasons: in spring they generally come from trees; in summer they generally come from molds; and in autumn they often come from weeds.

Many people may wonder: if they hardly ever come into contact with flowers in daily life, why do they still develop a pollen allergy? The truth is, the “culprit” of spring pollen allergy is not the beautiful and vivid ornamental flowers, but tree-type plants that spread pollen through wind.

The photo shows a close-up of the cypress male flower clusters at the Tiantan Park scenic area in Beijing. The pollen wrapped inside is cypress pollen. When gusts of wind blow, the pollen “smoke” swirls around in a way that is clearly visible to the naked eye. (Reference image)

Natural pollen dispersal in the natural world mainly occurs in two forms—wind-borne and insect-borne—

Peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, etc. spread pollen through insects and usually do not easily cause allergies;

Poplars, willows, cypresses, etc. spread pollen through wind, which makes pollen allergies more likely to occur in spring.

Garden workers at Beijing’s Tiantan Park reduce pollen concentration through sprinkler work. (Reference image)

What’s the difference between pollen allergy and a common cold?

A runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing are symptoms of both the common cold and allergies. So what’s the difference between the two?

Experts say that influenza’s main symptoms may include fever to varying degrees, but allergic rhinitis only makes you feel generally exhausted and worn out.

In addition, in the early stage, when pollen allergy symptoms are not obvious, patients often have difficulty telling them apart. If a patient suddenly finds that they have started to be allergic to a certain food—experiencing dryness and itching in the mouth and throat, or swollen lips—this may be a cross-reactive allergic response between pollen and food.

For patients who suspect they may have pollen allergies, they should go to the hospital in a timely manner to determine their allergens, so that appropriate allergen-environment control can be carried out.

Which groups are more likely to have allergies?

Doctors say that under normal circumstances, the body’s immune system can recognize and clear foreign pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, while remaining tolerant toward its own tissues.

And allergic reactions are an overreaction by the immune system to certain substances that are usually harmless (such as pollen, dust mites, and certain foods, etc.).

These three groups in particular need to pay attention to↓

Overall, young and middle-aged adults are relatively more likely to have allergies. In this age group, immunity is stronger, but they also spend more time outdoors, so the probability of exposure to allergens is higher.

Preschool children are more likely to have allergies to indoor allergens.

Middle-aged and older adults: because they use more medications for chronic conditions, drug allergies occur more often.

How to prevent pollen allergies

Based on data from previous years, in most parts of China the pollen concentration reaches a peak in mid-to-late March and continues into May. For people with allergies who want to prevent or lessen discomfort, the most important thing is not to come into contact with allergens—one word: “hide”—

During the pollen season, try to avoid areas with higher pollen concentrations.

In spring, midday and afternoon are times when outdoor pollen concentration is relatively high, so you should try to avoid going out. When you do go out, take precautions such as wearing a mask, using silicone protective sleeve glasses, and wearing long-sleeve tops and long pants.

At home, try to keep doors and windows closed. You can use air filtration or purification equipment to lower the pollen concentration indoors.

When going out to drive, do not open the windows; for ventilation, you can choose the recirculation mode.

When you return home from outdoors, promptly take off your outer clothes and wash your nasal passages.

Can you take medicine in advance to prevent allergies?

Doctors say that prevention is more effective than treating after allergy symptoms appear. For patients with clear allergic symptoms, it is generally recommended to start using preventive medications at least 2—4 weeks before the spring pollen season.

Patients with allergic rhinitis can use some nasal spray hormones in advance.

Patients with allergic conjunctivitis can use anti-allergy eye drops in advance.

Patients with allergic asthma can use medications containing glucocorticoids in advance.

It should be noted that many people, after experiencing allergy symptoms, choose to “tough it out,” thinking that once the allergy season is over, the symptoms will disappear. This approach is actually not correct. If allergy symptoms persist without improvement or worsen, you should seek medical care promptly.

Source | Chao News, CCTV News