“The blizzard night covered the whole stitch with white snow” - these lines from the song are relevant at the end of May and June, when the cities of Russia begin to be filled with poplar fluff. But unlike snow, it not only covers all city surfaces, but also brazenly breaks into houses and apartments, penetrates car interiors, and gets into the nose, mouth and eyes. People wonder who came up with the idea of planting populated areas specifically poplars, were there really no other trees?
Meanwhile, the choice of poplars was not accidental. Russian scientists back in the 60s of the last century calculated that one poplar, from the period of the first green leaves in the spring to the shedding of the last yellow leaves in late autumn, absorbs from the air from 20 to 30 kilograms of dust and exhaust gases. And the volume of oxygen released by one poplar is equal to the volume released by ten birches or seven spruce trees, four pines or three linden trees. In addition, the poplar is unpretentious: it is difficult to find such an ecologically disadvantaged area where the poplar could not adapt and take root. Therefore, finding a replacement for him is extremely difficult.
In 2008, the results of a study by American scientists were published, according to which poplars absorb and break down such pollutants environment, such as carbon tetrachloride, gasoline, vinyl chloride and other industrial derivatives.
One problem is poplar fluff. Most consider it one of the most dangerous allergens. But a candidate of biological sciences from Vinnytsia National medical university Victoria Rodinkova refutes this assumption. Institute specialists studied samples poplar fluff from rural and urban areas. It turned out that the “rural” fluff had practically no allergenic pollen in its composition, but the “urban” fluff had plenty of it. But it was pollen from other plants.
Scientists explain this by the high-speed flow of air masses, which is largely facilitated by high-rise buildings. Probably everyone has encountered the phenomenon when, in windy weather, the so-called pipe effect occurs between houses: the wind blows with furious force in a certain area. It transports fluff along with pollen attached to it flowering trees, shrubs, herbs and flowers. By the way, if we talk about the most allergenic trees, then scientists put the birch tree in first place with its catkins, which are very harmful to allergy sufferers. Poplar fluff itself is harmful mainly due to its ability to accumulate everywhere. Getting into the nasal or oral cavity, it simply irritates the mucous membranes, and if it gets into the eyes, it causes them to redden.
Another problem that poplar fluff causes is related to cars. Rosoboronexport chief expert Evgeniy Serdyuk explains: the smallest particles of gravel, sand and other debris flying out from under the wheels of the car in front end up in the radiator grille, and poplar fluff absorbs all this debris, forming a felt pad. When it reaches a certain size, the car engine begins to overheat.
The poplar moth is becoming a real disaster for city residents. During the period when poplars shed fluff, moths settle on trees and lay eggs there. Gradually she moves for permanent residence to the apartments of city residents.
Fire is another problem that comes with poplar fluff. An unextinguished cigarette thrown on the ground, a “down carpet” deliberately set on fire by teenagers, followed by dry grass igniting - and now the surroundings are on fire.
Today in all major cities the world is seriously concerned about the problem of replacing poplars with other trees. In Moscow, Samara and Tomsk, for example, planting poplars is prohibited. And where they are still growing, they are treated with a special solution that prevents the seeds from opening.
In a number European countries, according to an employee of the Latvian botanical garden Inara Bondare, experts are selecting male poplars, which, unlike female ones, do not produce fluff.
Since the early eighties, the city of Edmonton in Canada has completely replaced poplars with other trees. And if one of the residents still wants to plant a poplar on their plot of land, then landscape designers include it in their new project and strongly recommend using male poplars or sterile varieties of this tree bred in special nurseries.
Poplar fluff is a real problem even for those who are not allergic to it. And for allergy sufferers, the poplar flowering period turns into a real nightmare. Read on Ivona how to deal with down allergies.
Many people associate the end of spring and the beginning of summer with poplar fluff, from which there is no escape. It's especially hard for people. who suffer from an allergy to poplar fluff. During this period, allergy sufferers experience severe runny nose, tears, inflammation of the eyes, and sneezing.
Allergy symptoms
Poplar fluff together with plant pollen can cause a wide variety of allergic reactions. Getting into the eyes and Airways in humans, it leads to allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.
Nasal congestion, runny nose, frequent sneezing, itching and watery eyes are the main signs of these diseases.
In addition, poplar fluff can cause allergic cough, and in people suffering from bronchial asthma, can lead to exacerbation of the disease.
Allergy prevention
– go outside as little as possible, especially in hot, dry and windy weather;
– prevent fluff from entering the room (hang a mosquito net on the windows);
– do wet cleaning of premises as often as possible;
- rinse your nose after returning from the street:
– buy a salt lamp: salt ions perfectly purify the air.
Bactericidal irradiators will also help with this.
Allergy treatment
Drug treatment for an allergy to poplar fluff involves the use of antihistamines, which can only be prescribed by the attending physician.
At severe runny nose rinsing the weak will help saline solution. Brine removes accumulated mucus, restores breathing and reduces swelling of the mucous membrane.
It is also necessary to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet during the flowering of poplars. Hypoallergenic diet It is used for all types of allergies, regardless of their origin, as it allows you to reduce the allergenic load on the body. The duration of the diet is determined by the degree of the allergic process.
To reduce the occurrence of allergic reactions, allergists recommend excluding from the diet oatmeal, celery, carrots, fruits that grow on trees. In addition, you need to reduce your consumption of fresh baked goods and baked goods. Also, do not get carried away with classic allergens (chocolate, nuts, honey, seafood).
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Poplar fluff sets anti-records
Poplar fluff sets anti-records in Krasnoyarsk. Because of him, the firefighters were knocked off their feet. They have to go out a hundred times a day, and I’m not exaggerating, to extinguish the fluff that was set on fire. And it would be fine if only it was burning, but the fire from it spreads to the garages. One of these had already burned down the day before, as did an abandoned building on Malinovsky Street. It is not only firefighters and fire victims who suffer from this. Anton Popov today figured out why Krasnoyarsk will have a stigma for a long time.
Evgeniya says that a pile of dry wood and branches with fluff in the middle of the yard is like a bomb. The management company has not removed this mountain for several days. Nearby there is a garage, a gas tank, and a few meters away the day before a car burned down, according to one version, after poplar fluff was set on fire. In this yard it seems you could drown in it.
Firefighters are breaking records for responding to powder fires this week. Cars, garages, fences, wooden piles and landfills are burning. The Ministry of Emergency Situations says the story is almost like the grass that fell in the spring.
Alexander Yakimov, head of the press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Krasnoyarsk Territory:
“People think that by setting the fluff on fire, they apparently do some good, and yet it turns out that on Sunday there were about 80 calls, on the 25th there were 102 calls where we went out to set the fluff on fire.
Not only firefighters, but also allergy sufferers suffer from poplar fluff. After flowering in the spring, they are now having a second wave of sneezes.
Veronica Ivanova, therapist:
— I personally note, as a local doctor, that exacerbations, or acute conditions are becoming more frequent. -What do people ask for? - WITH allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, exacerbation of bronchial asthma.
The Department of Municipal Economy says that Krasnoyarsk residents have simply become unaccustomed to fluff over the past couple of years. Then, during flowering, the earrings were knocked down by wind and rain. This summer, the trees seem to have decided to fight back and are actively scattering seeds. Therefore, there is no special program to combat the white scourge at the mayor’s office. Officials have not planted poplars for 10 years, and the old trees themselves are gradually dying out. In addition, retired Governor Tolokonsky bequeathed that poplars should not be spared at Universiade construction sites.
Biologists call this attitude towards the down problem a crime. If you destroy all the poplars, there will be nothing to breathe in the city.
Elena Selenina, director of the SFU Botanical Garden:
— It is simply impossible to refuse poplars in Krasnoyarsk. It will be a crime. Not a single tree increases phyto-mass so quickly, not a single tree in the city retains so much dust.
But this did not stop utility workers from cutting down an entire avenue of poplars in Vetluzhanka a few days ago. True, in return they promised to plant apple, elm and ash seedlings. But scientists are indignant, to defeat the fluff, it is enough to mark all the female poplars, which produce flying seeds, and replace them with male seedlings in the spring.
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Most often, swelling of the eyelids in people causes swelling of the eyes due to allergies; treatment in this case should be carried out not only by an ophthalmologist, but also by an allergist.
The skin around the eyes is the most delicate and sensitive, so when an allergen comes into contact with it, it instantly swells. An allergic reaction occurs most quickly on the eyelids. Also, the eyelids may swell when the allergen enters the body not through the mucous membrane of the eye, but through the respiratory tract, food and skin. The cause of an allergy can be a foreign object that gets into the eye, although in itself it does not pose a danger to the body.
Types of allergies in the eyes
Most often, swelling in the eyes can go away within a few hours. This indicates a small number of allergens or a timely reaction of the body.
. Most often, an allergic reaction in the form of swelling of the eyelids and swelling occurs in people who use lenses daily. In allergic conjunctivitis, the irritant can be introduced along with the lens or when fingers touch the sensitive skin of the eyelids. With severe damage, it can develop into keratoconjunctivitis and even keratitis.
Large papillary conjunctivitis. It occurs when small objects get into the eye: grains of sand, eyelashes, metal and wood shavings, etc. They are.
Drug-induced conjunctivitis. In this case, the allergy occurs on medicines. A similar reaction may occur when taking eye drops and ointments, as well as from other medications.
Infectious conjunctivitis. Appears in the background chronic infection eyes when exposed to an allergen.
Pollinous conjunctivitis. Is an example of a manifestation seasonal allergies. Occurs due to pollen or poplar fluff.
Symptoms of eye allergies
Puffiness in the eyes most often appears due to dust, animal hair, various chemical cleaning powders, mold, and insect bites. As the eye develops, it may swell for a few minutes without causing other symptoms.
In another case, an allergic reaction develops from 20 minutes to an hour. The following symptoms may be present throughout the reaction:
- Itching. This is the first sign of an allergy. Scratching the eye is not recommended due to the risk of possible infection and the development of conjunctivitis.
- Burning. After a few minutes, the itching becomes unbearable and develops into a burning sensation. It may increase with scratching and blinking.
- Photophobia. Any light, including sunlight, can cause discomfort even to the point of pain. A headache may also occur along with it.
- Tearing. It is a consequence of burning, itching and photophobia. The body is trying to protect one of the most important organs - the eyes. Tears often relieve pain and burning in the eyes.
- Redness eyeball and century. It occurs due to a sharp rush of blood and intense scratching.
- Swelling of the eyelids. May develop gradually or instantly. Severe swelling of the eyes indicates the possible occurrence of a focal infection.
- Feeling foreign body in the eye. It may occur if a stye is formed when a foreign body enters the eye.
Symptoms of allergic edema can be confused with the occurrence of inflammation in the eye or with traumatic edema. But, unlike them, with allergies, pus is rarely released, and when pressed, the pain does not intensify or is simply absent. Also, swelling may occur in only one eye. This occurs due to the allergen entering directly into the eye.
First aid for swelling
If allergic eye swelling occurs, first aid is very important.
If the eyes swell instantly, literally “swimming”, this may indicate Quincke’s edema, in which anaphylactic shock. The patient should be given immediately antihistamines and call an ambulance.
If swelling develops gradually, it is necessary to urgently take anti-allergy tablets. To those who use contact lenses, you need to take them off and not wear them for several days, and then replace them with new ones: the old ones may still contain allergen elements and bacteria dangerous to the eyes.
Cotton pads soaked in cool water will help relieve burning and itching. boiled water. Under no circumstances should warm or cold objects be applied to the affected eye. This can trigger the development of inflammation.
Treatment of allergic eye swelling
Most eye swelling goes away almost asymptomatically and quickly. But if the allergen re-enters the mucous surface of the eyelids, the reaction can be more global and have serious consequences.
If left untreated, inflammation may begin, developing into a dangerous disease for the eyes - keratitis.
This can cause blurred vision and even blindness.
Usually, with allergies, symptoms go away within one, or at most a few days. It can only occur once. The reason for this is other eye diseases, injuries, vitamin deficiency. But when frequent inflammation eyes and recurrence of the allergic reaction, you should consult a doctor.
An allergist will help you prescribe correct treatment. The allergen that caused the swelling can be identified using special analysis blood.
At the beginning of treatment, it is necessary to exclude contact with the allergen. Most often they become:
- dust and pollen;
- animal hair;
- cosmetics, including eye creams and perfumes;
- tap or natural water;
- sunlight.
During the period of treatment, you must follow a special diet, stop wearing lenses and using cosmetics, and go out less often.
Usually several drugs are combined:
- Eye ointments. They act directly on the site of inflammation, relieve itching and burning in the eyes, and reduce lacrimation.
- Hormonal ointments (Advantan). Helps cope with allergic reaction, reduce swelling.
- Antihistamine tablets (suprastin, tavegil, etc.). They help to quickly cope with allergies and remove accompanying symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose.
- Vasoconstrictor eye drops. Their task is to relieve swelling and redness.
When treating an allergic reaction, you can use auxiliary products that will ease the symptoms and treatment. For example, brewer's yeast. They will help restore the skin and increase the body's resistance to external irritants. Special lotions from medicinal herbs(chamomile, sage, string). It is necessary to ensure that the broth does not get into the area between the eyes and does not flow onto the eyeball.
If the allergy is not only observed in the eyes, but also manifests itself as swelling of the lips, neck, redness of the skin, rash, sneezing, dysfunction gastrointestinal tract, treatment in the form of immunotherapy is used. In this case, small doses of the allergen are injected under the patient's skin. Such a vaccine helps the body learn to cope with allergies on its own.
Prevention of allergic swelling in the eyes
People who often suffer from allergies should be careful not to allow potential allergens to come into contact with their eyes or eyelids.
During an exacerbation, it is necessary to avoid excessive use of decorative cosmetics. You should choose only proven, high-quality brands and constantly monitor the expiration date. Special attention you need to pay attention to mascara, eye shadow and eye makeup remover.
Eye lenses should always be removed at night and replaced regularly after the end of their use.
If the body is susceptible to seasonal allergies in the spring, it is necessary to limit going outside during the period of abundant flowering of fruit trees and cereals. It is recommended not to keep flowering plants in the house.
It is necessary to carry out wet cleaning at home regularly. Potential places for dust to accumulate include fabric-upholstered furniture, large feather pillows and blankets.
Eye swelling can be caused by more than just an allergic reaction. Swelling of the eyelids occurs due to long work at a computer or laptop, reading in poor light, with impaired kidney function and excessive alcohol consumption.
