Allergy glossary
Clear explanations of terms related to allergies, pollen seasons and treatment in Croatia.
Pollen forecast
A prediction of the concentration of pollen in the air for the next few days, expressed as a level from 1 to 5 or as the number of grains per cubic metre of air.
Allergy season
The time of year when allergen pollen levels in the air are high enough to cause symptoms - in Croatia it runs from January to October in three main waves.
OAS
A cross-reactive allergic reaction in which proteins from pollen react with similar proteins in fresh food - itching and swelling of the mouth after eating fruit, vegetables or tree nuts.
Cross-reactivity
A reaction of the immune system to several different allergen sources that share similar proteins - pollens with each other, pollen and food, latex and fruit, several tree species.
Immunotherapy
A medical treatment that gradually desensitises the immune system to a specific allergen - sublingual (SLIT, tablets under the tongue) and subcutaneous (SCIT, injections). It lasts 3-5 years.
Antihistamines
Medicines that block histamine - the chemical signal that triggers allergic symptoms. The second generation (loratadine, cetirizine, desloratadine) is preferred for daytime use and is available over the counter.