How To Beat Tree Pollen Allergies

How Does Tree Pollen Spread & What Role Does The Weather Play

Tree pollen can be spread by insects, water and wind but the pollen spreader most responsible for our allergic symptoms is wind. This is because many plants that rely on the wind for pollen distribution tend to produce high amounts of comparably small pollen, which gets carried far and wide in an untargeted way. In turn, we inhale this pollen and start to feel the sore effects of seasonal allergy.

While you might assume an event like a thunderstorm would reduce the general presence of pollen in the air, sometimes the very opposite can be true. For example, during some thunderstorms, as typically experienced in Australia in early summer, pollen grains can rupture which causes them to break into smaller pieces, spread more easily and cause particularly severe symptoms in vulnerable populations. We write about the phenomena known as thunderstorm asthma in more detail here.

On the other hand, research also shows that warmer winter seasons might be leading to a significant growth in oak pollen in the years to come, with the potential to place further burden on health systems in particular areas.

Ragweed Allergy Triggers Including The One Drink To Always Avoid

Almost one third of people living with a ragweed allergy also experience an allergic response to certain other foods, including cucumbers, melons, zucchini, sunflower seeds, bananas and/or chamomile tea. Even echinacea can trigger a reaction.

Thats because the proteins found in some types of produce are very similar to the proteins found in certain types of pollen. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, these proteins can confuse the immune system and cause an allergic reaction or make existing symptoms worse, which is referred to as cross-reactivity. In the case of pollen and foods, the result of cross-reactivity is called oral allergy syndrome.

That may seem surprising, especially since these things usually fall under the health food category. Lets take a closer look at at herbal tea, in particular. Do you ever swap coffee with tea or pour a cup to unwind after a long day? Chamomile tea is a popular option, as its full of antioxidants, reduces inflammation and improves digestion.

But for people suffering from ragweed allergies, chamomile tea can be giving you something extra a slew of symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, headaches and irritated eyes. Chamomile is good for a lot of things, but if youre living with a ragweed allergy, you should probably avoid this drink.

And get this: If you dont have allergy symptoms already, chamomile tea can actually set them off. And if you are suffering, the tea can worsen symptoms.

Tips To Manage Your Allergy

Get tested. It’s important to know which trees trigger your allergies. Once you do, you can figure out how to minimize your exposure to their pollen.

Avoid contact. Itâs simple: Stay inside when pollen counts are high. Keep your windows shut. If you are going outside wear a baseball cap, and when you come in, rinse your face and wash your hands — and you may even want to change your clothes.

Remove trigger trees. If one in your yard clearly causes symptoms, prune back the branches to reduce the amount of pollen it releases. You could also take it out and replace it with one thatâs less likely to cause allergies, like apple, cherry, dogwood, fir, or pine trees.

Treat it. Medicine — antihistamines — can ease or prevent allergy symptoms. Allergy shots and other forms of âimmunotherapyâ can also make a difference.

Read Also: Does Twix Contain Peanuts

Really Clean The Bathroom

Your bathroom is for mold what your bedroom is for dust mites heaven. So inspect water pipes for leaks and fix them promptly.

Regularly clean walls with a non-toxic cleaner.

Make sure that ventilation fans are routed to the outside, and run them for 30 minutes after a shower or bath.

Scrub away mold on pipes and fixtures.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Tree Pollen Allergies

Trees often release pollen before other plants do. If you experience allergy symptoms early in the spring, you might have a tree pollen allergy. The symptoms of tree pollen allergies include:

• Sneezing runny or stuffy nose
• Red, watery, and puffy eyes
• Itchy nose, ears, eyes, and mouth

To get a definitive diagnosis of tree pollen allergies, youll need to see a doctor. They can make a diagnosis through allergy testing.

Potential tests that doctors can use to determine your allergies include:

• Skin prick test: For this test, ahealthcare provider places a small amount of tree pollen on your skin, then pricks or scratches the skin through the pollen. If redness, itching, or swelling develops at the site within 20 minutes, youre likely allergic to tree pollen. The severity of your reaction indicates the severity of your allergy.
• Specific IgE blood test, Radioallergosorbetnt or ImmunoCap:For this test, you’ll need to give a blood sample. In the lab, a small amount of tree pollen is added to your blood, then a lab technician measures the number of allergy antibodies your blood produces to fight the allergen.

Read Also: Can You Get Swollen Lymph Nodes From Allergies

Tree Pollen And Hayfever

Tree pollen is one of the leading factors causing our allergic reactions during the hayfever season. In this page, our hayfever advisor Louise Baillie examines the different types of tree pollen, how they can be avoided, and how you can ease your hayfever symptoms.

Louise BaillieAsk Louise

Best Eye Drops: Alcon Naphcon Eye Drops

• Non-oral solution for itchy, red eyes

• Great size for on-the-go relief

• Clears the eyes quickly

• Can cause eye dryness if used excessively

Itchy, red eyes are a common reaction to allergies, but luckily, this problem can quickly be solved with proper eye drops. The highly recommended Alcon Naphcon-A Allergy Relief Eye Drops are a reliable option as the formula combines a redness reliever and an antihistamine ingredient to bring your eyes back to normal.

Also Check: Is Fexofenadine An Antihistamine

Keep Sniffles And Itchy Eyes At Bay With These Options

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Verywell Family / Sabring Jiang

From pets to pollen, allergies are the worst. Unfortunately, its often difficult to avoid the stuff youre allergic to. Who can resist an adorable puppy or a lovely stroll in the park? To get your watery eyes, runny nose, and all other symptoms under control, you need a reliable over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Even though there are dozens of options available to treat allergies, the various options can be overwhelming. Allergy medications may promise instant relief, but theyre not all the samesome may induce drowsiness, while others may only treat specific allergies. Take into consideration your individual symptoms, which may be treated best by specific ingredients or forms, from liquid and sprays to tablets.

Whether youre looking for natural ingredients or a non-drowsy pill that will keep you going throughout the day, these are the best OTC allergy medicines.

Best Natural: Les Labs Sinus & Seasonal Sinus Relief & Nasal Health Supplement

• Added quercetin promotes immune boost

• A bit more expensive

The LES Labs Sinus & Seasonal Supplements are ready to keep your nasal health in tip top shape. It includes all-natural, non-drowsy ingredients like Nettle Root, Quercetin, Bromelain, and Butterbur, which combined can help you stay healthy during allergy season. In short, youll never have to let a stuffy nose get you down again.

Also Check: Difference Between Loratadine And Fexofenadine

How To Beat Allergies On The Golf Course

Allergies to the grass on the course can be more challenging than the sand traps and water hazards you may face. Whether its tree and grass pollen in the spring and summer or weed pollen in the fall, pollen can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes for those with allergies. Avoid adding strokes to your score by reducing the symptoms you experience on the green. Here are six tips to help stop allergies from ruining your game.

1. Golf in the afternoon, when pollen counts are lower.Sunny, breezy days may seem like great weather for a round of golf, but these weather conditions can also cause high pollen counts on the course. Scheduling a tee time later in the day can help since pollen levels are often higher in the early morning hours.

2. Wear sunglasses to keep pollen from getting in your eyes.Want to put a shield between you and the pollen in the air? You can by wearing sunglasses! While this will not prevent you from inhaling pollen, it can keep it out of your eyes. Even wearing them on cloudy days can help cut down on your pollen exposure.

3. Wipe down your clubs between shots.

4. Put your gear in a zipped bag and wash your clothes as soon as you get home.

5. Shower after your round.Be sure to shower or rinse off after your round as well. This will remove any excess pollen left on your hair and body otherwise, it could transfer to your favorite chair or bedding.

Is Immunotherapy Right For Me

Immunotherapy is a treatment of allergy to airborne allergens. An allergy shot involves administering increasing doses of allergens which cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the allergens. Allergy shots are effective for allergies to grass, weeds, tree pollens, mold, dust mite and animal dander. The whole idea of treating you with the very things that make you miserable may seem a bit odd, but in many cases, it works. In other words, allergy shots seem to build a resistance to the things that cause your symptoms, then the next time you run into those allergens, you will tolerate them much better.

If you are ready to find relief from your Las Vegas allergies like pollen, visit us online to schedule an appointment or call 702-240-4233 for our Cheyenne location and 702-432-8250 for our Charleston location.

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Understand That Anyone Can Develop Allergies

Allergies develop in people of all ages. Grass and tree pollen allergies can be present in childhood and then subside. Pollen-related allergies can also suddenly plague adults whove never experienced allergy symptoms before.

If youre an adult who barely ever sniffles, but you suddenly have a runny nose, watery eyes, and a sneezing condition that wont quit, suspect that allergies have finally caught up with you.

Find Out What Youre Allergic To

In order to treat your allergies, you have to know what youre up against.

An allergy test can help identify substances that trigger allergic reactions in your body. These substances, known as allergens, can be things you breathe in, things you touch, or things you eat.

A skin prick allergy test involves exposing the skin on your arm or back to small amounts of allergens to then see what you react to. These tests are typically done in a single sitting, and youll get results right away.

A blood allergy test can also check for allergens and is useful if you take a medication that can interfere with results or if your doctor suspects you may have a severe allergic reaction to even a tiny amount of an allergen.

Also Check: What’s Better For Allergies Claritin Or Zyrtec

Control Indoor Allergens To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Allergy and asthma control begins at home. Many people with allergies stay indoors when pollen and mold is high. But dust mites, pet dander and even cockroaches can cause problems indoors.1

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends three ways you can improve indoor air quality2:

• Control your contact with indoor airborne allergens
• Ventilate your indoor areas well
• Use air cleaners to clean indoor air

Eight out of 10 people in the United States are exposed to dust mites. Six out of 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. Cockroaches cause allergic reactions in people who live in the inner cities or southern parts of the United States. 3

Better air quality in your home, office, school and car can reduce allergy and asthma triggers.

How Do You Know If You Have A Cold Or Allergic Rhinitis

It is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between an allergy and the common cold, as some of the symptoms are similar, like runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and nasal congestion. In the case of an allergy, a runny nose involves clear, abundant, fluid secretions. Secretions due to a cold are sometimes thicker and coloured. Both can cause headaches, fatigue, altered overall condition, and insomnia.

Here are some typical symptoms of seasonal allergies:

• abundant lacrimation
• itching of the eyes, nose, throat, ears or roof of the mouth
• repetitive sneezing
• red eyes, and
• swollen eyelids

Note that allergic rhinitis generally does not cause a sore throat or fever. Additionally, it usually lasts more than 10 days, unlike a cold. When in doubt, it’s better to consult a doctor to obtain a diagnosis.

Recommended Reading: Robitussin With Antihistamine

How Can Symptoms Be Eased

It is best to avoid all contact with the allergen when you suffer from an allergy. This solution is relatively easy when it involves food, medication or an animal, but when it involves pollen, this complicates things, since it is airborne during allergy season.

Despite this fact, you can reduce contact with pollen and minimize allergy symptoms by following these tips:

• Wear sunglasses to reduce the amount of pollen reaching your eyes.
• Avoid hanging your clothes out to dry to prevent pollen deposits on the fabric.
• Keep the lawn cut short, because growing grass blooms and releases pollen.
• Close windows and opt for air-conditioning whenever possible.
• Eliminate ragweed in your physical environment.
• Avoid going outside in the morning, and when the weather is dry, hot and windy. It is always preferable to practice outdoor activities at the end of the afternoon or after heavy rain when pollen levels are low.
• Wear a mask to filter out dust while gardening or mowing the lawn.
• Take a shower and change clothes upon entering the house, as pollen can stick to clothes, skin and hair.
• Check the pollen index before going outside. This is a measure of the pollen seed concentration in the air. If the count is high, you are likely to have stronger symptoms.

What Are Other Tree Pollen Symptoms

Tree pollen can also trigger other medical conditions such as asthma, making breathing difficult and leading to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

While these symptoms may seem mild at first, over time they can cause progressive impairment of quality of life, work and sleep. More severe reactions may occur in people with asthma and other respiratory problems.

In addition to the above symptoms, some of our patients report feeling as if they have the flu for months and just feel physically drained. Tree pollen allergies are also described like a bad cold that just wont go away. Some patients will experience benefits with traditional allergy medications, while other patients may require allergy shots for tree pollen. See our blog, Combat Pollen Season for additional information.

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Ways To Beat Allergies With Ayurveda

• Self-Care

This is a particularly bad season for those of us who suffer from allergies.We find ourselves confronted with seemingly benign substances floating through the air, spelling discomfort for those of us who suffer.

What exactly are allergies? Why do we have them at some points in our lives and not at others? Why is it that one person can gleefully play with their dogs for hours on end, while others cant get within 200 meters of a puppy without developing itchy eyes and a fit of sneezing and coughing?

Three types of allergies can trigger these unpleasant reactions: food allergies, airborne allergies, and contact allergies. In each case, the body recognizes something thats typically non-harmful as harmful. The immune system boosts into overdrive to try to eliminate this faux pathogen.

Some primary causes of allergies, according to Ayurveda, are genetics weak agni, or digestive fire a persons state of vykruti, or imbalance and/or the presence of ama, undigested or poorly digested food that turns toxic and interferes with processes in the body.

Here are 10 Ayurvedic approaches to help stop allergies in their tracks.

1. Use a neti pot daily, or twice a day, with a weak saline solution and distilled water, to loosen up the heaviness of kapha, or earth and water energy, in the sinuses. This also helps clear out allergens that may be sticking to the mucus membranes.

Best For Kids: Zyrtec 24 Hr Childrens Allergy Syrup

• For kids as young as two years old

• Might cause itchiness

Dont worry, Zyrtec looks out for the little ones in your family, too. Childrens Zyrtec is recommended for kids as young as 2 years old and even though its made without sugar, parents confirmed that kids actually like the taste. Only one dose is required daily making the process extra easy, and on top of that, Zyrtec has an app called AllergyCast that can track your kids symptoms and show how certain factors like weather can affect their allergies.

Also Check: Zyrtec 40 Count

Things That Make It Worse

1. Warm, windy days. Wind picks up dry pollen and sends it into the air. When it’s cold or damp, pollen counts are usually lower.

2. Certain fruits and vegetables. If you have nasal allergies to certain trees, you have a higher risk of allergic symptoms from some of these foods. For instance, if you’re allergic to birch trees, you may get itchiness or swelling in your mouth or around your face after eating almonds, apples, carrots, celery, cherries, coriander, fennel, hazelnuts, kiwi, peaches, pears, or plums.

3. Having trigger trees in your yard. How close you live to a tree makes a big difference. When one’s in your own yard, it could expose you to 10 times as much pollen as a tree down the street.