Pollen allergy is one of the most common forms of allergy. It is a reaction of the immune system to the proteins present in one or more types of pollen. Indeed, after breathing in or after direct contact with pollen, the body releases histamine which can cause various symptoms. Which ones?
Allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis
In the majority of cases, pollen allergy presents itself in the form of allergic rhinitis. This is characterized by a runny nose, a series of sneezes and a feeling of a blocked nose and itchy throat. The allergy sufferer may also experience itching in the ear and even have difficulty breathing through the nose. In some cases, the mucus that accumulates in the paranasal sinuses can eventually cause a feeling of pressure in that area. This is why pollen allergy can cause jaw pain and headaches. In addition, rhinitis caused by pollen allergy is often accompanied by conjunctivitis, which is an inflammation of the conjunctival membrane of the eye. This problem is characterized by red, itchy, watery eyes.
Difficulty breathing
A pollen allergy can also be recognized by an irritating cough. Moreover, it is important to know that if an individual is often subject to a pollen allergy over a long period of time and this is not treated properly, the symptoms can worsen and develop allergic asthma. The latter is manifested by the presence of coughing and wheezing.
What triggers pollen allergies?
For your information, three groups of plants can trigger pollen allergy. First of all, there are trees: hazelnut, alder, ash, hornbeam, birch and oak. Grasses are also plants that often cause pollen allergy. These include timothy, orchard grass and ryegrass. Grasses such as mugwort, ragweed and plantain also cause allergies. These pollens can be divided into two main types. There are the anemophilous pollens which have a great allergenic power. They are, moreover, the main culprits of allergic reactions. They are dispersed by the wind over tens and hundreds of kilometers. Apart from that, there are entomophilic pollens which are transported from flower to flower by insects. They generate proximity allergies, for example, during the time when the individual cuts the flowers.