Allergy season is here. Is it possible to fight poison with poison?

□ Science Times reporter Shi Chenjie

Spring is back and flowers are blooming. Most people will immerse themselves in the beauty of spring, but some people with allergies say they can't afford it. Even if they use all the equipment such as hats, goggles, masks, etc., people with allergies still can't avoid "snot and tears".

"This is a typical pollen allergy. Pollens produced by Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Moraceae, Betulaceae, and Platanaceae are the 'culprits.'" Xu Yingyang, chief physician of the Department of Allergy of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, told the Science Times reporter that compared with other types of allergens, the eye symptoms of pollen allergy are more prominent, often with symptoms such as itching, conjunctival edema, redness, and tearing. Some people with allergies may also feel a foreign body in their throats, and in severe cases, they may even experience severe coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and other asthma-like symptoms.

Allergy is an immune response caused by antigens and antibodies. Allergens that trigger allergic reactions include inhaled allergens, ingested allergens, drug allergens, and contact allergens. Pollen is just a small branch of inhaled allergens. According to statistics from the World Allergy Organization (WAO), nearly 40% of people worldwide have been or are suffering from allergies.

The occurrence of allergies is mainly related to various factors such as genetics and environment, and is usually difficult to cure. As a result, many people believe in folk remedies and try to prevent allergies by contacting or eating allergens through "fighting poison with poison" methods such as eating honey and raising pets.

"Honey contains trace amounts of bee venom and pollen particles. Some pollen allergy sufferers hope to take honey in small amounts and gradually to get their bodies to accept pollen and reduce allergies." Wang Min, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at Peking University People's Hospital, reminded that although honey has a certain anti-allergic effect, there is no clear scientific consensus on this method. For patients with pollen allergies, it is most important to understand and avoid contact with their allergens.

There are indeed many studies abroad that suggest that early exposure to pets can reduce the risk of allergies in children, but there is currently no particularly clear research in China.

Zhang Yanping, director of the Allergy Department and Desensitization Treatment Center at Beijing United Family Hospital, told reporters that these folk remedies of "fighting poison with poison" to treat allergies are extremely undesirable. "This method cannot control the amount of exposure to allergens. Exceeding the tolerance level will trigger allergies and even make them worse."

Desensitization therapy is currently the most effective way to treat allergies. Zhang Yanping said that desensitization therapy can accurately calculate the patient's tolerance level and treat it through vaccination. "There are many immune cells in the subcutaneous part of the human body. Before the desensitization injection, the doctor will dilute the concentration by more than 1 million times and inject 0.1 ml into the patient at a time. The patient's immune cells will therefore produce antibodies, and the immune system will develop a certain tolerance. The doctor will then gradually increase the injection dose. Normally, desensitization injections require 1-2 injections per week, and a course of treatment is 2-3 years."

In addition to desensitization treatment, experts believe that more exercise can enhance the body's immunity, improve the body's ability to resist external allergens, and help improve allergic constitution, but avoiding contact with allergens is more important. Experts recommend that patients undergo allergen testing when necessary, actively cooperate with doctors for treatment, and pay attention to daily protection to reduce the probability of allergic attacks.