plants causing pollen allergy is

Your living environment may contain a variety of animal and plant life, most of which can become a source for allergens, the triggers of allergic reactions. All of the plants described in this article can be allergenic. But the sturdy Chinese elm has stepped in. Various plants, including flowers, and trees pollinate from February through October suggests the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Flowers may be beautiful to behold, but many come with irritating pollen that can trigger itchy eyes, runny noses, and general misery. Symptoms can include watery eyes, sore throat, rhinitis, runny nose and others. The plants to really look out for are those that have pollen that is light, dusty and easily transported by the wind. It may seem counter-intuitive, but the double-flowered variety is a better choice than the single-flowered types. Poison ivy may come to mind, but many common garden plants can also be skin irritants for sensitive people. While this post may not cover all of those plants which are responsible for allergies you will be of to a good start as to what to avoid so that you can have the best spring ever. Although they are beautiful, they should be avoided. Dahlia flowers are showy enough to attract many insect pollinators, but as members of the aster family, its pollen can cause an outbreak of hay fever symptoms throughout summer. Juniper trees are a common source of allergies due to the pollen they create and those with Juniper allergies are also likely to be allergic to Cedar and Cypress tree pollen. Some plants pollinate more in the spring while others do so in the fall months, such as August and September. Instead, pollen enters human noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy. They can be present outdoors and indoors. | Many people know this as hay fever. These trees are common in most of the continental U.S. and flower in late spring. Sometimes these worst indoor plants for allergies can cause rashes too. These evergreen trees found all over U.S. make a huge amount of pollen in the spring. Sometimes called pigweed, this is found throughout the U.S. It’s dense with flowers and makes a lot of pollen in late summer and early fall. If you see the flowers, it’s releasing pollen -- but that’s not the case with all plants. Mums help stretch the allergy season well into the fall. If patients have a knowledge of allergy producing plant species they can help us identify responsible agents. Plants such as cacti, kiwis, and potatoes rely on this type of pollen. The worst-case scenario is you wind up with sinus and respiratory trouble. You also may have seen “stinging” nettles in the woods. The plants are producers of irritating pollen, and the flowers are used to make tea, which can still harbor some irritants for allergy sufferers who are given the steaming beverage. Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Monoecious plants that are wind-pollinated are likely to cause allergies. Sometimes it is just a certain part of the plant that irritates, like the sap of Euphorbia or the roots of hyacinth. If you are allergic to pollen, you should avoid flowering houseplants like orchids, Stephanotis, spider plants, and any other flowering houseplant. Some dahlia hybrids classified as "formal doubles" have virtually no pollen. Plus, a fern can cause a rash that resembles poison ivy. Another study that explored offensive or irritating scents found that there was little difference between privet and other scents, including jasmine, lavender and honeysuckle, and many people couldn’t tell the difference so while the scent of privet flowers may be overwhelming, it’s likely it’s other plants in your surroundings that are causing your actual hayfever symptoms. The components of a pollen grain are the main factors that determine whether that pollen is likely to cause allergic rhinitis. If you’ve been told you have a pollen allergy, then you’ve had an allergic reaction to the fine powder that comes from the stamen of flowering plants. Plants can cause allergic reactions by other means other than just by contact. If you suffer from pollen allergies in the late summer and fall, then most likely you are affected by ragweed. Ferns tend to thrive in damp soil so should also be avoided. Anemophilous pollen, on the other hand, is the pesky version that plagues allergy sufferers. Allergies are not usually triggered by highly flowered plants as they produce less pollen (which is transported by bees) than wind pollinated plants. It is not usually the showy, spring flowering trees that are triggering your allergies. Wind-dispersed pollen is a serious problem for most allergy sufferers. While Hackberry is in the same family as elm (very allergenic), it does not cause the extreme level of allergies among most people. Pollen Allergy. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Allergic rhinitis symptoms include: Runny, itchy, congested nose. This is a good thing or else bees and other pollinators would be going hungry. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 54 million people each year are affected by allergies caused by plant pollen. This is relatively rare but unpleasant to deal with. Ragweed Sources Ragweed is not considered a garden flower, but it is included here because it is so often confused with goldenrod (Solidago), which is a lovely garden plant that has gotten a bum rap. Not everyone is allergic to these plants, but those who are may even get rashes from pollen carried in the wind. Because there are so many types -- and they’re fairly common -- it can be hard to know which ones are your troublemakers. Most of those have heavy pollen and their flowers attract insects for pollination. Take care before you bring a bouquet of these into the house. Another thing that can cause airborne allergens indoors is mold on your soil. Full Article. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, How to Exercise Outside When You Have Allergies. It seems the more hybridized the plant, the less likely it will have a high level of pollen and the less irritating it will be. If you are allergic to pollen, you should avoid flowering houseplants like orchids, Stephanotis, spider plants, and any other flowering houseplant. Swedish Ivy, $4.99, Amazon Swedish ivy is a low-pollen houseplant, and a great option for the newbie gardener. If the allergy began in winter, it can extend into spring. Spring blooming plants include oak, birch, hickory, pecan, and even some grasses produce pollen. The aster family resemblance is strong in chrysanthemums, as is the allergy-inducing pollen. Thunderstorm asthma ‘Thunderstorm asthma’ is a potent mix of pollens, weather conditions and rain that can trigger severe asthma symptoms. All rights reserved. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Pollen is one of the most common causes of allergies in the United States. Plants that produce wind-blown pollen, many of which are trees, make life miserable for millions of human allergy sufferers each year.A large number of tree species produce extremely small pollen particles from their male sexual parts. It’s also something we can control by adjusting our landscapes to reduce plants that cause allergies. Other common sources of weed pollen include sagebrush, pigweed, lamb’s quarters and tumbleweed. Ragweed is a main cause of weed allergies. “The most allergenic plant we have is ragweed,” says Dr. Filley, “It is less common on the West Coast or in New England. The heavy waxy coating that makes it easy to see also keeps it from triggering allergies. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Many people know pollen allergy as “hay fever.” Experts usually refer to pollen allergy as “seasonal allergic rhinitis.” Each spring, summer and fall, plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize other plants of the same species. It can be worse on hot, dry, windy days. Insect-pollinated plants have bright flowers and heavy, sticky, pollen grains that tend to stay put and cause few allergies. When it comes to house plants, you're more at risk for an allergic reaction if you're allergic to mold than pollen. Houseplants Causing Allergies. Severe allergy sufferers may be afraid to have landscapes and gardens full of flowering plants. Severe reactions may cause wheezing, hives, nausea, vomiting, sneezing and runny nose. March Tree pollen remains high … Pollen allergy is an allergy to pollen, tiny particles released by trees, grasses and weeds. Flowering plants produce small amounts of pollen which can be spread by birds, bees and other insects. The sheer size of a sunflower's center disk is an indicator of the copious amounts of pollen that it can produce, making matters worse, this pollen is dispersed by the wind. This tree grows all over the country and makes pollen in the spring. Pollen allergies, which are also often described as seasonal allergies, can cause symptoms such as sniffling, sneezing, and watery eyes. Later in summer weeds begin to pollinate and this can continue well into autumn. Irritable, itchy, watery and red eyes. Antibodies are released, and they end up triggering a bunch of chemicals that cause your allergic symptoms. Pollen is found on the plants and trees and it causes the watery eyes, stuffy nose. There are some pollen-free sunflower varieties, like 'Apricot Twist' and 'Joker,' that are listed as hypoallergenic, because their pollen is too heavy to be windborne. You will likely see many bees visiting these plants. It’s thought to be a major cause of allergies in the Northwest, on the East Coast, and in California. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Sneezing and coughing are typical signs of a reaction to pollen. It’s the wind-pollinated plants that cause the most problems for allergy sufferers. The two may be confused or possibly grouped together in pollen counts. By using The Spruce, you accept our. For the pollen to get from the male flower to the female flower, it has to travel and the wind is often the easiest way to disburse it. If you’re allergic to poplar but want to plant one, ask your local nursery for the “female” version. Swedish ivy makes a great hanging plant, … Pollen is the main cause of hayfever or seasonal allergic rhinitis. What is pollen allergy? Pollen is found on the plants and trees and it causes the watery eyes, stuffy nose. It’s found in most of the warmer states, often planted on front lawns. Ragweed is the major culprit, but others of importance are sagebrush, redroot pigweed, lamb's quarters, Russian thistle (tumbleweed), and English plantain. Histamine is what causes allergy symptoms like watery eyes, sore throats, coughing and a runny nose. Pollen is the trigger of one of the most common forms of allergy known as pollen allergy or hay fever. Although hay fever symptoms can seem worse in the spring, asters are late-season bloomers and can be irritants. The major allergy-triggering culprits to watch for are: Arizona cypress; Ash; Aspen; Beech; Birch; Boxelder; Cedar They can have small yellow or white flowers and grow 1 to 10 feet tall, depending on the type. Most of those have heavy pollen and their flowers attract insects for pollination. Grasses and trees, too, are important sources of allergenic pollens. 2. Mesquite is a serious offender in the southwest, producing considerable levels of airborne pollen. Wind-dispersed pollen is a serious problem for most allergy sufferers. If you have a pollen allergy, you may be affected by pollen in different allergy seasons from different type of plants. Pollen from exotic trees, which are planted for their autumn colour, is … The pollen from this tree can cause severe allergic reactions for some people, particularly in the winter. Medically Reviewed on 11/13/2019 Why are allergies caused? Fortunately, not all flowers trigger allergies. Goldenrod is not wind-pollinated and does not irritate allergies. It is not usually the showy, spring flowering trees that are triggering your allergies. Although the pollen is not wind transferred, people with allergies should avoid getting too close. Late summer and fall is the season for weed allergies, with pollen levels usually peaking in mid-September. The double flowers are hybrids that have a low level of pollen. Those with Mesquite allergies may suffer from nasal inflammation, nasal congestion, sneezing, scratchy throats, contact … AAFA (American Association for Asthma and Allergy) is trying to reduce the plants and trees that cause allergies in the different cities. These are the fluffy flowers with lots of petals and stamens that have evolved into pollen-less staminodes. It grows to 40 to 60 feet tall with a full oval crown. This plant looks a lot like tumbleweed, but it doesn’t make nearly as much pollen. Chrysanthemums are hardy plants that come in a huge range of colors and sizes. An allergic reaction to plants can take many forms, with the specific signs of the reaction depending on which bodily tissues have been affected by, or in contact with, the plant causing the allergy. Of the thousands of plants in California only a few cause pollen-related respiratory allergies. The male trees produce pollen, and are often highly allergenic, while the female plants produce fruit or seeds and are not allergenic. Some are male, and some are female. This tool does not provide medical advice. That can cause serious reactions in some people. View our slideshows to learn more about your health. Chrysanthemums are hardy plants that come in a huge range of colors and sizes. It is, however, a relatively rare cause of allergy because the type of allergens in pine pollen appears to make it less allergenic. There’s a reason the local news provides regular updates on pollen counts each spring: Tens of millions of Americans suffer allergy symptoms caused by exposure to tree, grass and weed pollens. Pollen is also produced by the grass and blows in the wind so can … Of all the things that can cause an allergy, pollen … During growing seasons, pollen spreads through the air and fertilizes plants. The cause that produces pollen allergy is the overreaction that the body undergoes when in contact with the pollen of certain plants. L. multiflorum has been used to study grass allergen sensitization in Brazil due to its importance in causing pollinosis-related allergic symptoms in this country. Therefore there is less pollen in … Take a look at a list of some common garden plants that you should avoid if you have pollen allergies. Ragweed with its weedy, inconspicuous flowers, is pollinated by the wind. At the top of the list of allergen-heavy plants would be most of the plants in the aster or daisy family. They’re most likely to cause allergy issues in Minnesota and areas in the Southwest, but only the “male” trees make pollen. Bonsai trees are often of the juniper and cedar variety and are known for causing allergy symptoms, like their larger outdoor versions. "It is very unlikely for cut flowers or indoor plants to be a cause of hay fever from pollen inside the house," says Jorgensen. For example, pine tree pollen is produced in large amounts by a common tree, which would make it a good candidate for causing allergy. The major allergy-triggering culprits to watch for are: If you've removed pollinating flowers and trees from your yard but are still suffering from allergies, keep in mind is that any outdoor flowers that are brought inside may be even more irritating. According to Thomas Ogren, a horticulturist who invented the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale (OPALS), pollen is the most common allergen that we are exposed to. It has upright, woody stems that grow 2 to 7 feet tall. For all its bling and beauty, it still posses pollen that can set off sneezing and sniffling. What do we mean by Seasonal Allergy Plants? Grasses Breathing fern spores can exacerbate allergies. It is also in the aster family. A quick glance at most pollen calendars will tell you that there are three main causes of seasonal allergic rhinitis. If you suffer from allergies you may have looked at your indoor plants and wondered if they are causing your asthma or allergies. Because sunflowers are not fragrant, they often get overlooked as allergy plants. But there are still plenty of old-fashioned, high-pollen flowers being grown. how much pollen plants create and how much is in the air, and how pollen affects human health. They avoid showy ornamentals like roses, daisies or crabapples, thinking that with all the bees and butterflies these flowers attract, they must be loaded with allergy triggering pollen. The actual allergy to pollen is called hay fever, which is caused when pollen is dispersed through the air. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. They’re often planted in yards and other landscaping because people like the way they look -- the telltale white bark makes them easy to spot. It is not usually the showiest flowers that cause allergies, although some do. If it’s spring and you’re sneezing, these trees might be part of the problem. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911. Their pollen can be a big trigger for allergies, but it’s heavy and usually drops to the ground before it can travel very far. Primula obconica and chrysanthemum can also cause allergic rashes. Another aster family member, chamomile can cause double trouble. See additional information. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile). In addition, hyacinth bulbs can cause itching and inflammation when handled. For people with asthma or other lung-related issues, they can actually be dangerous. Its pollen season runs from August to November -- levels are highest around mid-September. Other plants cause a rash only in certain people who have developed an allergy to them. Symptoms are caused by the body's immune response to inhaled pollen, resulting in chronic inflammation of the eyes and nasal passages. As someone who has terrible allergies – both indoors and outdoors – I’ve taken a number of steps to improve indoor air. Certain plants are known to relieve allergies, rather than cause them. Reviewed by Jennifer Irritant contact dermatitis arises in those with sensitive skin, if they've handled the plants too much, or if the plants have prickles or barbs. This weed sheds pollen from May to November, and it makes a lot of it. Although the flowers are small, they can pack a big punch of pollen. The aster family resemblance is strong in chrysanthemums, as is the allergy-inducing pollen. (In which case, look for other triggers setting off your sneezing.) Your mold allergy may make you miserable in winter. These trees use the wind as their favorite means of pollen transport to others of their own species for pollination. They're also popular as container plants and are therefore often part of the indoor environment as well. If untreated, allergy symptoms resulting from mountain cedar can develop into a severe infection, such as pneumonia. Also in the aster family, daisies may look pristine and tame, but this plant is a high pollen producer. Certain species of trees, including birch, cedar and oak, also produce highly allergenic pollen. Similarly, you might be curious about the best indoor plants for asthma and allergy sufferers. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Basically, any flowering houseplant has the potential to cause airborne allergens because of their pollen production. 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