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Pollen Allergies
Pollen is one of the leading causes of seasonal allergies. Each spring, summer, and fall, tiny pollen particles are released from trees, weeds, and grasses, causing seasonal rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever (nasal/sinus allergies). While many other allergens can easily be avoided, it is very difficult to avoid pollen, even indoors! Furthermore, individuals with pollen allergies can develop sensitivities to other allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores.
Pollen are microscopic grains, typically round or oval in shape, that are shed by plants, trees, and grasses as part of their reproductive cycle. They can travel enormous distances when carried by winds - often several hundred miles! A single plant may produce millions of pollen grains per day.
Common allergy causing pollens in North America include:
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Plants
ragweed
sagebrush
redroot pigweed
lamb's quarters
Russian thistl (tumbleweed)
English plantain |
Grasses
timothy grass
Kentucky bluegrass
Johnson grass
Bermuda grass
redtop grass
orchard grass
sweet vernal grass |
Trees
oak
ash
elm
hickory
pecan
box elder
mountain cedar |
Most colorful and scented flowers like roses do not cause allergies because their pollen is heavy and waxy, and is transported primarily by insects, not wind. In other words, it is less likely to be inhaled in significant quantities.
Pollen is readily transported inside your home by wind and air flow through open doors and windows, on your clothes, or even on your pets. Once inside your home, pollen is easily stirred up and breathed into your nose, throat, and lungs, where it causes irritation that leads to a wide range of allergy symptoms including runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, watery irritated eyes, etc. The best defense against pollen inside your home is a high quality HEPA air filter which is capable of trapping and containing the tiny particles. Such filters will also eliminate other allergens such as pet dander and dust mites that you may be more sensitive to during your hay fever attacks.
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