Inhalant allergies are one of the most difficult kinds of allergy to avoid because of the nature of the allergens. Allergens which cause inhalant allergies can be dust, molds and pollens. They are difficult to avoid and control because they are airborne. Different pollen allergies occur in different seasons. Every year, millions of Americans are affected by seasonal allergies due to pollens.
Pollens
Pollens are produced by all plants to reproduce and sometimes in the case of flowers; they produce pollens to fertilize themselves. Cross-pollination is necessary for some plant species in order for them to pollinate successfully. Cross-pollination happen when the pollen of one plant is transferred to another plant of the same species. This is where insects such as bees come in. The insects carry the pollens to other plants. However, some plants depend on the wind for transportation. These pollens which are carried by the wind are the ones which can be inhaled by humans resulting into different pollen allergies. Pollens are difficult to avoid because they are produced in large quantities and they can be carried to great distances. Each plant produces pollens during different seasons. This is the reason why people will suffer seasonal allergies during spring but not in summer.
Pollen Allergies
The different pollen allergies occur in different seasons depending on the characteristic of the plant. During the spring season, the most common pollen allergens come from trees. The most common sources of allergens are olive trees, juniper or cedar trees, oak trees, maple tress, birch trees and elm trees. In the case of juniper trees, they can also pollinate during the winter season. During summer, grasses and weeds are the common source of the different pollen allergies. Examples of these grasses are Bermuda grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, sweet vernal grass, timothy grass and orchard grass. Russian thistle, sagebrush, lamb’s quarters and English plantain are weeds which can produce pollens which can cause allergy. During the fall season, ragweed is the main culprit of pollen allergies. Ragweed is one of the plants which produce millions of allergenic pollens every season. Places where these plants grow usually keep a record of the pollen count to warn allergy sufferers.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of pollen allergy is pretty much the same as that of other allergies. Examples are sneezing, itching eyes and nose, runny nose, watery eyes, inflammation of the eyes and nasal congestion. Mucus production is also a common symptom of pollen allergy. Excessive mucus production can lead to respiratory problems such as difficulty in breathing. Anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock can also happen because of pollen allergies.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment of the different pollen allergies depend on what the allergy sufferer is experiencing. Medications are given to relieve the symptoms. Common medications are antihistamines, nasal sprays and steroids. Immunotherapy or allergy shots are also recommended for some allergy sufferers. However, the best treatment is avoidance.
Avoiding pollens as mentioned is impossible because they are air borne. Even if you move to a place where the different plants which causes allergy do not grow, there is still a chance that the pollens will be carried to that place. Hence, relocation is not really a reliable solution to pollen allergy. There are better ways to avoid pollens. For instance, you should remain indoors when the pollen count is very high which is usually in the morning. In addition, when you go out you should wear a mask. Installing air conditioners and air purifiers in your home is also recommended to filter the pollens. Taking the necessary medications as a precautionary measure should also be done especially for those who cannot avoid going out.