[The modern approach to diagnosis and treatment of pollen allergy]

Pollinosis is a seasonal multisytemic allergic disease the incidence of which is rising in the second half of the 20th century worldwide as well and also in the Czech Republic. The most frequent clinical manifestation of pollinosis is allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, less frequent are asthmatic complaints, there are however also other manifestations depending on the affected target organ. The diagnosis is based on a carefully recorded case-history, more accurate information and confirmation of the diagnosis is obtained from skin tests, in some cases assessment of specific IgE antibodies. The most important therapeutic procedure is prevention or at least restricted contact with pollen. Causal therapy involves properly indicated and performed specific immunotherapy by high quality standardized allergens. Pharmacotherapy of pollinosis, includes general treatment, in particular using second generation antihistaminic substances, and local treatment of nasal symptoms of pollinosis, the use of nasal steroids mastocyte stabilizers and topical antihistamines. In the treatment of ocular symptoms dominates the use of mastocyte stabilizers and topical antihistamines. For rapid control of acute nasal and ocular manifestations preparations containing decongestants are useful. An integral part of treatment is always systematic education of patients.