What is a Pollen Allergy?
Of all the seasonal allergies the pollen allergy is the most widespread with rising pollen counts in the spring bringing out allergy symptoms in many people. Millions of people living in North America and abroad deal with this every season when pollen particles are released from plants for the purpose of pollination (fertilization). Pollen allergens are spread by the wind and can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs and skin causing symptoms like Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever), Allergic Conjunctivitis (eye allergies), and Allergic Asthma. These pollen particles cause allergic reactions in people with immune systems that have vulnerabilities to the pollen allergens and the symptoms are annoying and interfering enough to effect their ability to work efficiently or attend work, performance at school and learning, sleeping and breathing. Different times of the season bring out different levels of pollen and systems have been developed to “count” pollen levels to give indications to allergy
A pollen allergy is an allergy to pollens, which are the tiny spores that plants release. Once released, the spores become airborne in their search to find other plants of their kind to reproduce. Unfortunately, some pollen never reaches its destination, and ends up in our noses. Some will develop an allergic reaction to this exposure. Symptoms of a pollen allergy include runny, itchy and congested nose, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat. Severe complications can include asthma or bronchial or sinus infections. Pollen comes from many different types of plants, grasses and trees. Not all pollen is alike in causing allergies. In fact, flowers like roses are often thought of as producing a pollen allergy or hay fever. In reality, large flowers seldom produce allergies. More likely, people suffering from a pollen allergy are allergic to pollen from trees and grasses. Not everyone is allergic to the same types of pollen, and some may be allergic to several types. Some grasses most associated
Each spring, summer, and fall, tiny pollen grains are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These grains hitch rides on currents of air. Although the mission of pollen is to fertilize parts of other plants, many never reach their targets. Instead, pollen enters human noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy. Many people know this as hay fever.
Each spring, summer, and fall, tiny particles are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These particles, known as pollen, hitch rides on currents of air. Although their mission is to fertilize parts of other plants, many never reach their targets. Instead, they enter human noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy, which many people know as hay fever or rose fever (depending on the season in which the symptoms occur). Of all the things that can cause an allergy, pollen is one of the most widespread. Many of the foods, drugs, or animals that cause allergies can be avoided to a great extent; even insects and household dust are escapable. Short of staying indoors when the pollen count is high–and even that may not help–there is no easy way to evade windborne pollen. People with pollen allergies often develop sensitivities to other troublemakers that are present all year, such as dust mites. For these allergy sufferers, the “sneezing seas
