Why Does My Dog Have An Allergic Reaction To Plants
Research your plant purchases before making them it is also wise to keep plants out of the reach of pets and small children. Causes of plant allergies in dogs are from dogs having an allergic reaction by either inhaling the pollen from the plant or coming into contact with a plant allergen. Specific causes of allergic reactions include:
Climate Change And Allergies
The impact of climate change has become a dangerous cycle. Rising global temperatures lead to more extreme weather. Weather changes such as heat waves and droughts can lead to a lack of air flow. When the air doesnt move, pollutants react together in the heat and sun. This increases ground-level ozone.1
Ground-level ozone is a major part of urban smog. More air pollution and smog cause higher levels of carbon dioxide . This results in warmer temperatures. And the cycle continues.
This cycle results in increased pollen. This can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Rising CO2 levels lead to longer growing seasons that change flowering time and increase pollen. The length of the growing season refers to the number of days when plant growth takes place. Warmer, longer seasons increase exposure to allergens that trigger asthma and other respiratory and allergic responses.2
If we dont slow down the cycle, pollen production and air pollution will only get worse. Millions of people already have seasonal allergic rhinitis, and pollen allergies are a major cause. If this cycle continues, we may see the number of people with seasonal allergies increase.
Our Allergy Capitals report is an independent research project of AAFA.
Recommended Citation
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, . . Retrieved from allergycapitals.com.
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What Health Problems Can Pollen Cause
For people with hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, breathing in pollen can cause sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. Pollen exposure can also result in allergic conjunctivitis in some individuals, causing red, watery, or itchy eyes.
Pollen exposure can also cause asthma attacks in people who have asthma and for whom pollen is an asthma trigger.
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Pollen Highs And Lows
Pollen levels are at their highest at the beginning of the day, when they rise with the warming air, and at the end of the day when its cooling down. Counts will increase in dry warm weather, especially if its windy. So avoid going outside and especially avoid strenuous activity at these times. Remember to take necessary precautions such as protective eyewear and medications e.g. antihistamines to help prevent symptoms. In the summer months pollen count broadcasts will help to guide you. But it is important to note pollens of one species or another are present from January through to October.
Trees tend to pollinate in spring, from January to May. Then in late spring or early summer the grass pollen season kicks in. Late summer is the season for weed pollens. The pollen calendar will chart which common trees, grasses and weeds pollinate when. In May, for example, oak is the main allergenic pollen it affects about 20 per cent of hay fever sufferers. If you are allergic to grass pollen, be mindful that high counts will feature from the end of May in the extreme south and the first few days of June in the south and central areas. The grass pollen season will spread northwards over the following week or two.
What Do We Mean By Seasonal Allergy Plants
Of the thousands of plants in California only a few cause pollen-related respiratory allergies. If patients have a knowledge of allergy producing plant species they can help us identify responsible agents.
Below are some of the most important plants implicated in pollen allergies. There are many other plants that can cause allergies, check with your allergist to have your detailed questions answered.
Compare these pictures to trees and grasses around your place of work or home. If these plants are present and your symptoms occur during the months they are pollinating, they may be causing your allergy symptoms!
Juniper/Cypress/Cedar are all related and are major causes of allergic disease in Northern California. These trees and bushes pollinate from , and even can pollinate into ! These pollens can be moderately allergenic. They are very important sources of pollen in the City of San Francisco.
Birch is a very easy to identify with its white bark. Birch is not native to California but has been planted extensively for decorative purposes. Birch pollen is highly allergenic and abundant during its pollen season, usually . If you have one nearby it may one of the causes of your springtime allergies.
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Herbal Medicines And Allergies
Asteraceae is a family of flowering plants, including many common species, and some are used in herbal medicines. Pollen from plants in this family is a common cause of hay fever, asthma and dermatitis.
Plants from the Asteraceae family include:
- plants grown for their flowers chrysanthemums, dahlias, sunflowers, marigolds, safflower and daisies
- edible foliage plants lettuce, safflower, chicory and artichoke
- weeds ragweed, mugwort, sagebrush, wormwood, feverfew
- plants used in some herbal medicines echinacea, dandelion, chamomile, feverfew, milk thistle and wormwood.
Echinacea can cause severe allergic reaction , asthma attacks, severe hives and swelling in some people, and this can occur when the first dose of echinacea is taken.
Pollen from plants in the Asteraceae family can also cause an allergic skin reaction on contact. The pollen can be found in herbal medicines, shampoos, cosmetics and massage oils, and includes pollen from plants such as the:
Sensitisation to pollen of plants from the Asteraceae family has also been linked with allergic reactions to other substances that are similar. This is known as cross-reactivity and has caused allergic reactions to:
- plant-derived herbal medicines echinacea, royal jelly, bee pollen extracts and chamomile
- foods celery, honey, sunflower seeds, carrot, lettuce, watermelon and nuts.
House Plants That Cause Allergies
In addition to aesthetic pleasure, indoor plants help to improve indoor air quality, since they are able to absorb harmful substances and release phytoncides, oxygen, essential oils into the atmosphere of the room. Nevertheless, modern man is so impressed by autoimmune processes that even everyone loved violets can cause him allergies, intolerance.
Most often, this happens to those who already have a history of hay fever, since the flowers themselves can not produce polypeptides, and pollen in principle. These plants do not have the opportunity to be pollinated by wind or insects, they reproduce in another way initially. Symptoms that may indicate intolerance to decorative “pets” are as follows:
- Dry persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath or choking is very rare.
It should be noted that Quincke’s edema, anaphylaxis does not occur as a clinical manifestation of the reaction to houseplants, if such a symptomatology is observed, then most likely it indicates a true allergy caused by a very different provoking factor.
Indoor plants that cause allergies:
- Family of euphorbia plants – croton, acalifa, euphobia, punchetia, the reaction provokes milky juice.
- Family kirkazonovyh – aristoklokhiya , saruma, hoof contain a large number of ethereal terpenoid compounds , provoking allergies.
- The family of fatties – redsula, Kalanchoe, echeveria, rochea sedum .
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What Measures Can Be Taken For Pollen Allergy Prevention
As with most allergies, the best way of preventing an allergic reaction to pollen is by avoiding it. Following pollen allergy remedies at home might come in handy in preventing your exposure to pollen and resultant allergic reactions.
Things you should do if you have pollen allergy
- Check the pollen count before heading out
- Keep windows closed during pollen season
- Dry your clothes in a cloth dryer instead of drying them outside
- Bathe and wash your hair with shampoo daily after being outside for a signification period
- Wash your bedding in hot, soapy water at least once a week
- Wear sunglasses and a hat
Things you shouldnt do if you have pollen allergy
- Do not go outside when the pollen count is high
- Do not maintain close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors
- Do not engage in gardening or landscaping activities during peak pollen season
Symptoms Of A Pollen Allergy
Allergies occur when harmless water-soluble proteins released by pollen enter the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth. If youre susceptible to allergies, your immune system mistakes pollen for invading germs. Your body triggers a complex process whereby it generates chemicals such as histamine to irritate the nerves, which leads to itching and sneezing in an attempt to expel the pollen.5 6
Symptoms of a pollen allergy vary from person to person. You may experience bouts of sneezing. This seemingly annoying reaction helps physically expel the pollen from your system, and it also serves as a red flag to tell you there is a high pollen count and you should leave the area if possible.7 In conjunction with sneezing, you may experience additional issues with your nose and eyes. To learn more about these symptoms, visit our Understanding Allergy Symptoms page.8
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Worst Trees For Allergies
Spring is the peak season for tree allergens. In order of bloom time, trees that plague allergy sufferers include maple, willow, poplar, elm, birch, mulberry, ash, hickory, oak, and walnut and are generally an issue from March through May. Additional trees that may be problematic include alder, aspen, beech, box elder, cedar, cottonwood, juniper, olive, and pecan.
Trees that are dioecious or unisex such as ash, poplar, and willow are not problematic if a female tree is planted. Female trees produce no pollen, thus are not allergy triggers.
Other trees such as fruit trees that flower are pollinated by bees and other pollinators and are not problem allergens.
How Do You Know If You Have Tree Pollen Allergy
Allergic rhinitis is very common. Up to 30% of the people in the U.S. have allergic rhinitis. Talk with your health care provider about your symptoms. If they suspect allergic rhinitis, they will likely recommend allergy therapies. If your symptoms do not improve, seek a referral to a board-certified allergist.
A board-certified allergist can diagnose a tree pollen allergy. They will ask about your personal and medical history, do a physical exam, and run tests to find out types of trees you are allergic to. Board-certified allergists know how to interpret the test results to give you an accurate diagnosis.
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Home Plants That Cause Allergies
Sometimes home plants are able not only to please the owner with their blooming kind, but also create a lot of problems in connection with the allergic reaction to a specific smell.
Which home plants that cause allergies are known to date?
Choose Your Outdoor Greenery Wisely
While you can’t control the world, you can decide what trees and plants populate your yard. Trees produce pollen earliest in the season, and poplar, willow, and cottonwood trees are some common culprits.19 Try to identify which trees trigger symptoms and consider replacing them with a different type. Similarly, populate your garden with trees and plants fertilized by insects, such as pear and cherry trees and roses, in order to reduce pollen-heavy vegetation.20
Weed pollen can also be problematic for allergy sufferers, especially in the late summer to early fall. Pollen can come from a variety of weeds with ragweed, the worst offender, generating 1 million grains each day from just one plant. Sagebrush, tumbleweed, pigweed, and more can also cause plenty of misery. To reduce the pollen count in your yard, try to keep up with weeding and brush removal and use rocks or plastic gravel to prevent weeds from growing.21 22
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Susceptibility To A Pollen Allergy
Many people wonder if pollen allergies are genetic. Researchers are still studying this question, but studies suggest that yes, a hereditary component is involved. Having a blood relative with allergies or asthma increases your risk of having one or more allergies though the specific type is not passed down, just the increased odds. To complicate the matter more, prolonged exposure to the allergen also plays a role in whether or not you develop allergies. Even if you have a genetic susceptibility, you may not develop a problem if you mostly avoid the allergen. Having asthma, atopic dermatitis, and/or allergies to other triggers can also increase your risk.9
If youve made it into your 20s, 30s, or 40s without allergies, you may wonder if youre home free. Not necessarily. It is possible for adults to develop allergies to pollen and other triggers even into middle age. In general, the number of individuals suffering from hay fever is increasing in both the United States and around the world.10
Once you reach middle age, however, your chance of developing allergies to pollen decreases. The immune system weakens as you grow older, so its less likely for it to experience a hyper-allergic reaction.12
What Is Oral Allergy Syndrome Or Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome
If you are allergic to certain trees, such as birch or alder tree pollen, you may react to certain foods.
OAS/PFAS happens because some tree pollen is similar to the protein in some fruits, vegetables, and nuts.2 Your immune system gets confused and cant tell the difference between the two. Eating these foods may cause your mouth, lips, tongue, and throat to itch or swell.
Birch tree pollen can cross-react with:
Talk with an allergist if you think you have OAS/PFAS. Ask them:
- If you need allergy testing or any other tests to help diagnose it
- If you should avoid eating foods that cause symptoms
- To give you a written treatment plan and to guide you on what medicines to use
- When to follow up
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Should I Move To Get Relief From My Tree Pollen Allergy
Trees that produce allergenic pollen live in every state. If you move, you may get some relief for a short time. But you can develop allergies to the trees in your new location in a few years. Instead, work with an allergist on a solid treatment plan.
Do You Live in an Allergy Capital?
Your location can have an impact on your seasonal allergies. AAFAs Allergy Capitals report looks at the top 100 most challenging cities in the continental United States to live with seasonal pollen allergies.
Medical Review: June 2022 by John James, MD
What Is A Pollen Allergy
Pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. Many people know pollen allergy as hay fever. Experts usually refer to pollen allergy as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Each spring, summer, and fall and even in the winter in some states plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species. Most of the pollen that causes allergic reactions comes from trees, grasses, and weeds. These plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that travel by the wind. They then can find their way into your eyes, nose, and lungs, causing allergy symptoms if you have a pollen allergy.
Flowering plants that spread their pollen by insects like roses and some trees, like cherry and pear trees usually do not cause allergic rhinitis.
Do You Live in an Allergy Capital?
Your location can have an impact on your seasonal allergies. AAFAs Allergy Capitals report looks at the top 100 most challenging cities in the continental United States to live with seasonal pollen allergies.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America produces this report to:
- Help people recognize, prevent, and manage allergy symptoms
- Help communities identify where the needs of people with allergic diseases can be better met
- Raise awareness about the impact of seasonal allergies and provide helpful information to improve the quality of life for people who experience them
Tree Pollen Allergy
Some of the trees that cause the most allergy symptoms are:
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What Are Some Pollen Allergy Causes
Some people experience an allergic reaction to pollen because their immune system falsely believes pollen is dangerous. In an attempt to fight this unknown foreign invader, the immune system releases antibodies to attack these pollen particles. This process produces a chemical called histamine, which is one of the biggest pollen allergy causes and the major reason for the person experiencing pollen allergy symptoms.
People with pollen allergies may also have a tendency to develop mold and dust allergy and lead to certain other indoor allergies as well.
