Don't be afraid of summer – you can avoid the pollen problem

Some people wait for the arrival of spring and summer with fear and anxiety because for many it also means breathing difficulties, nasal congestion and itchy eyes. Approximately 10-20% of the Finnish population suffers from different types of hay fever. Allergic rhinitis is caused by leafy trees in the spring and later in summer in June and July the blossoming mugwort causes allergic reactions.

The hay fever causes symptoms when the immune system interprets various substances as harmful and activates the defence reaction. Such allergic reactions are caused by allergens, mainly pollen, dust and animal hairs. When an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen, the immune system releases histamine. As a direct result of this reaction, histamine triggers a series of symptoms that are typical of allergies: runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, wheezing, itching and bronchial edema.

Standard medication for allergic rhinitis

Antihistamines that generally alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and stuffy nose are cortisone-based nasal sprays. Eye symptoms are treated with antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops. You should always seek medical advice if symptoms persist or in case of an allergic child.

The cortisone-based nasal spray reduces the local inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes and the full effect can be felt after a week of regular use. It is therefore advisable to start the use before the nose is completely blocked. However, continuous use will dry the mucous membranes of the nose, so the dryness can be relieved with nose cleansing with water. Antihistamine tablets start to work quickly and do not need to be used in advance.

Nasal sprays for nasal congestion, which narrow the mucous membranes, should not be used for more than a week as they do not treat allergies but merely open the stuffy nose.

Pollen allergy can be treated with natural options

Pycnogenol® is a maritime pine bark extract made from maritime pine bark grown in the south of France. It contains a standardized amount of bioflavonoids, e.g. proanthocyanins, which are effective antioxidants and inhibit histamine release and thus also allergies. Pycnogenol® is an excellent nutritional support during the pollen season.

You may prepare yourself for the season by protecting the body with Pycnogenol® well in advance. Many users take Pycnogenol® all year round, but the product works just as well when used as a short-term regimen. Pycnogenol® normalizes the reactions of the immune system and effectively prevents the release of histamine and thus facilitates the relief of allergic reaction. Clinical studies have shown that Pycnogenol® inhibits inflammation in various ways. An allergic reaction is, in fact, a very rapid inflammatory reaction and when it can be effectively quenched with Pycnogenol® the allergic reaction is also suppressed. Pycnogenol® also has an invigorating effect so it is good to take it with breakfast.

Pycnogenol ® is safe

Pycnogenol® was originally developed in the early 1960s as a medicinal product for the treatment of venous disorders. However, it was turned into a dietary supplement over the years because it began to accumulate numerous new areas of applications. It is still considered as a medicine in some countries in Europe. Pycnogenol® is still manufactured according to the pharmaceutical quality standards and the manufacturers of the products made from it are usually pharmaceutical companies. Pycnogenol® has undergone all the studies required for a completely safe product and it has been proven to be safe even in long-term use. Pycnogenol® is not toxic even when used in high doses.

The recommended daily dose is 1 mg per kg of body weight. Therefore practice an adult who weighs 80 kg should take two tablets of 40 mg. One tablet of 40 mg is sufficient for a child or a light adult. If the user weighs more than 100 kg, a daily dose is 3 tablets. In numerous clinical trials published in prestigious medical journals, the therapeutic dose of Pycnogenol® has usually been 100-200 mg per day.

Natural remedies make life easier during the pollen season