The northern region is entering a high incidence season for pollen allergies, with a surge in allergy patients. Traditional Chinese medicine experts suggest adopting a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine strategies to form a "prevention treatment nurturing" closed loop. Zhao Minghui, chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, stated that allergens are the direct external cause of allergic diseases. When allergens stimulate the body, the immune system overreacts, causing high sensitivity symptoms in the nose, eyes, throat, and trachea. The patient's physical condition, as an internal factor, is equally crucial. Factors such as mental state, emotional fluctuations, and sleep quality may all affect the stability of the immune system, leading to an exacerbation of allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can be understood as a 'misjudgment' by the immune system. Zhao Minghui said that most allergies are originally harmless, but immune disorders cause them to be recognized as "enemies" and trigger excessive defense reactions in areas such as the nasal cavity and conjunctiva. Traditional Chinese medicine theory emphasizes the unity of heaven and man. In spring, the body's yang energy is generated according to natural rhythms. If there is insufficient yang energy or liver qi stagnation, which leads to poor hair production and imbalance of external health functions, it is susceptible to invasion by external pathogens. Zhao Minghui said that modern lifestyle has become an important trigger for allergies. Eating takeout and cold drinks can easily damage the spleen and stomach, and lack of exercise can cause qi and blood blockage. Air conditioning, staying up late, and high-pressure conditions can accelerate the depletion of yang energy. These factors combine to cause immune imbalance and weaken the body's defense capabilities. In terms of prevention and treatment, experts suggest adopting a combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine strategies. Western medicine treatment mainly includes antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and nasal spray hormones, which can quickly control acute symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes overall conditioning, regulating the physique through traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, acupoint application and other means, cooperating with exercise, emotional adjustment, diet management and environmental protection measures to form a "prevention treatment maintenance" closed loop. Zhao Minghui suggests that during the peak pollen season, masks and goggles can be worn, air purifiers can be used at home and ventilation should be strengthened, and nasal cavities and clothing and bedding should be cleaned in a timely manner. In addition, it is important to maintain a calm mindset in daily life, so that the liver qi can be relaxed, pay attention to the maintenance of yang qi, bask in the sun in moderation, avoid cold diets, and ensure sufficient sleep. Experts particularly remind that allergy prevention and treatment should balance environmental intervention and physical improvement, achieve a combination of symptoms and root causes, and reduce the symptoms or frequency of allergic diseases. (New Society)