Why does pollen cause 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.

Echinacea can cause severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis , 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:. If you have allergic symptoms that seem to appear at certain times of the year, you should visit your doctor, who will ask some questions about your allergic reactions. You can also discuss your record of your symptoms. To test for an allergy to pollens, the allergist may use a skin prick test or a blood test for allergies. Information about evidence based allergy testing is available on the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy website.

A number of methods claim to test for allergies, but they have not been medically or scientifically proven. They can be costly and could lead to dangerous avoidance of certain foods. The organisation representing allergists Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy recommends that you do not use certain methods to have potential allergies tested.

These methods include:. Always speak with your doctor if you are thinking of using a complementary medicine or therapy to test for allergies. A direct way to manage pollen allergies is to reduce your exposure to pollens. Pollen counts are published in the media and can help you to plan to avoid exposure.

If you are unable to avoid pollen, your doctor may suggest medication to reduce hay fever symptoms including:. Decongestant tablets and sprays can cause side effects, so use with caution or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If you have asthma caused by pollens, your doctor will prescribe the correct medication and help you to develop a plan to manage your asthma. Make sure you follow your asthma action plan. Asthma can be well controlled with the appropriate medication in almost all people.

The main types of medication are:. If you have an asthma attack , follow your asthma action plan. In case of emergency, call triple zero and ask for an ambulance. Tell the operator that someone is having an asthma attack. It involves a series of injections, tablets, sprays or drops given under the tongue of very small doses of the allergen over a long time. This can help to improve tolerance of the pollens that are triggering your allergy and reduce symptoms. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

For unexpected after-hours medical issues, there are telephone helplines, pharmacies, after-hours medical clinics or doctors who can visit you at home. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune system's reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.

The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening emergency. While most allergies can't be cured, treatments can help relieve your allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms, which depend on the substance involved, can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to:. Some types of allergies, including allergies to foods and insect stings, can trigger a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis.

A life-threatening medical emergency, anaphylaxis can cause you to go into shock. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:. You might see a doctor if you have symptoms you think are caused by an allergy, and over-the-counter allergy medications don't provide enough relief.

If you have symptoms after starting a new medication, call the doctor who prescribed it right away. For example, people who are allergic to birch tree pollen may also be allergic to raw apples or hazelnuts. This is because the pollen in birch trees is similar to the proteins present in these foods. Medical treatments, home remedies, and changes in some lifestyle habits can help ease symptoms of pollen allergy. Most treatments only help manage allergy symptoms, but cannot cure them.

Immunotherapy may be helpful for long-term allergy management but can take several years to complete. There is a variety of home remedies and preventative steps that a person can take to reduce their allergy symptoms. Examples of these include:. Many home remedies for allergies are available, but research has not yet proven that they are effective.

One example of a home remedy is eating local or raw honey. Some natural food experts maintain that eating local honey can help reduce pollen allergies in the same way that allergy shots do. The above home remedies are not scientifically proven to be effective, but anecdotal evidence suggests they may help some people.

A pollen allergy is a common but irritating condition. A person may be allergic to certain types of pollen or multiple pollens. Medication and at-home treatments are available to reduce symptoms until the pollen season subsides. Lifestyle changes and medications can help reduce your symptoms. Avoiding the trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds that trigger your allergies is a good first step.

You can do this by staying indoors when pollen levels are high, especially on windy days, or by wearing a dust mask to avoid breathing in the pollen.

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