J Korean Med Assoc.  2003 Apr;46(4):326-330. 10.5124/jkma.2003.46.4.326.

Allergic Diseases by Pollens (Pollinosis)

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Woman's University College of Medicine, Mokdong Hospital, Korea. yjcho@ewha.ac.kr

Abstract

Over the last 20 years or so, aeropalynologic and allergologic studies have progressed and extensive international networks now provide regular pollen and hay-fever forecasts. To make a diagnosis of pollinosis, it is necessary to know the vegetation in the region where the patient lives. In Korea, pollen allergens that are considered to be clinically important are tree pollens in spring, grass pollens in summer, and weed in autumn. Pollination starts in spring and ends in autumn. Weed pollen is by far the most important cause of pollinosis in Korea peninsula, however, the most important pollen in Jeju island is from Japanese cedar in spring. The major clinical manifestations by pollen is allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Bronchial asthma also develops in some of pollen-sensitized patients. The most important diagnostic approach is allergen skin prick test followed by serum-specific IgE measurement. To confirm the causative pollens, nasal and bronchial provocation test should be done. If the causative allergen is clarified, the treatment is to use a special mask in outdoor and keep stay inside of house equipped with an air filtration system if possible. To start preventive drugs just before the pollen season and continue them after the season is also an important therapy. Immunotherapy is recommended to the patients by consulting to an allergy specialist.

Keyword

Pollen; Pollinosis; Allergic rhinitis; Bronchial asthma

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Asthma
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Conjunctivitis
Cryptomeria
Diagnosis
Filtration
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Immunoglobulin E
Immunotherapy
Korea
Masks
Poaceae
Pollen*
Pollination
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
Seasons
Skin
Specialization
Allergens
Immunoglobulin E

Figure

  • Figure 1


Reference

6. AAAI. Aerobiology of clinical allergy, the international experiences. AAAAI news. 1998. 3.
7. Guerra S, Sherrill DL, Cottini M, Michetti G, Allegra L. On the association between date of birth and pollen sensitization: is age an effect modifier? Allergy Asthma Proc. 2002. 23:303–310.
8. Bousquet J, Hejjaoui A, Becker WM, Cour P, Chanal I, Michel FB, et al. Clinical and immunologic reactivity of patients allergic to grass pollens and to multiple pollen species. I. Clinical and immunologic characteristics. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1991. 87:737–746.
Article
9. D'Amato G, Spieksma FT, Liccardi G, Jager S, Russo M, Bonini S, et al. Pollen-related allergy in Europe. Allergy. 1998. 53:567–578.
Full Text Links
  • JKMA
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr