Pollen
Pollen grains contain potent allergens which can cause hay fever, asthma attacks, and conjunctivitis. As pollen comes from trees, grass and weeds most exposures occur outdoors. However, pollen is also a component of household dust, so you may also find yourself reacting to pollen indoors. Pollen is probably one of the most difficult allergen to avoid because it is very mobile and can hover in air for long periods of time. But if you do have pollen allergy, be assured that there are a couple of easy steps you can take to reduce your day to day pollen exposure.
To best controll your pollen allergy:
- Wash bedding and other fabrics with Allerwash Laundry Detergent
- Capture pollen by using an air purifier
- Use Allergy Dust Sprays to clean your home
- Use a leakage free vacuum cleaner
Top Products for Pollen Allergy per Category:
Allergy Cleaning Products
The Allersearch range of cleaning products is the number one choice for allergy sufferers around the world. The products are tried, tested and recommended by allergy specialists. Click here to see our entire range: Allergy Cleaning Product
Allergy Air Purifier
Hay-fever, dust-mite, gras or mould allergy - whatever allergens you want to take out of the air, a good allergy air purifier will capture large and small particles. We offer a broad range of sizes, ideal for any room. To find the right allergy air purifier for your home, click here: Allergy Air Purifier
FAQ about Allergies:
- What is pollen allergy?
- What health problems are caused by pollen allergy?
- How common is pollen allergy?
- Which plants cause pollen allergy?
- When does the pollen season begin and end?
- What effect does time of day and weather have on pollen count?
- What is thunderstorm asthma?
- What is a pollen count?
- Are pollen forecasts useful?
- How can I reduce my exposure to pollen outdoors?
- How can I reduce my exposure to pollen indoors?
What is pollen allergy?
Pollen grains contain proteins which cause the immune system in an allergic person to over-react. Exposure to the allergen proteins causes production of antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) which, in turn, trigger release of histamine from mast cells (a type of immune cell). It is histamine that leads to symptoms of allergy like redness, sneezing, swelling and runny nose. A non-allergic person will not react in this way to pollen exposure. A skin prick test, in which you are exposed to various pollen allergens, will confirm whether you have an allergy. Pollen grains that cause allergies are between 10 and 40 microns in size with most being between 20 and 35 microns. Some pollen grains fragment into particles around one micron in size. Pollen can travel a long way through the air, which is why allergies occur in cities and pollen is found high in the atmosphere and miles out to sea.
- Itchy nose
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent sneezing
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Tight chest
- Difficulty in exhaling
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Reddening of the eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- The size and shape of pollen grains favour their deposition on the conjunctiva.
- Grass pollens are too large to enter the lungs and are less likely to cause asthma.
Asthma. Symptoms include:
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, which are the membranes lining the inside of the eyelids) Symptoms include:
What health problems are caused by pollen allergy?
1.) Hay fever, also known as seasonal rhinitis. Symptoms include:
- Itchy nose
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent sneezing
- Runny nose
2.) Asthma. Symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Tight chest
- Difficulty in exhaling
3.) Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva, which are the membranes lining the inside of the eyelids) Symptoms include:
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Reddening of the eyes
- Swollen eyelids
The size and shape of pollen grains favour their deposition on the conjunctiva.
Grass pollens are too large to enter the lungs and are less likely to cause asthma.
How common is pollen allergy?
In the United Kingdom, the most common allergens are (in order): house dust mite, grass pollen, cat dander and tree pollen.
Which plants cause pollen allergy?
Grass pollen allergy is more common than tree or weed pollen allergy. Grass pollen grains are relatively large and tend to affect the nose and eyes more than the lungs. Wind-pollinated plants with small, insignificant flowers are the main culprits when it comes to pollen allergy. The wind carries the tiny grains of pollen on air currents and pollen may be found at a great distance from its plant source. Insect-pollinated plants, which tend to have bright flowers, are less likely to cause problems, but always heed pollen warnings on cut flowers like lilies. If you get too close to these, the pollen could start off an allergic reaction. Check the following list for plants whose pollen could be causing you an allergy problem:
Trees: Ash Birch Cedar Chestnut Cypress Elder Elm Hazel Oak Poplar Sycamore Walnut Willow.
Grass: Dogstail Fescue Foxtail Meadow Oat Rye Timothy Vernal.
Weeds: Dock Mugwort Nettle Plantain Ragweed Sorrel Wall pellitory.
When does the pollen season begin and end?
The pollen season is different for different plants and, put simply, it lasts from early spring to late autumn. With global warming on the horizon, it may be that our pollen season will get longer and longer. Here’s what to expect: First out is tree pollen from mid to late March to mid-May. The season for each tree species lasts three to four weeks. These trees (listed from early to late with respect to their season) are associated with pollen allergy: Hazel, alder, poplar, ash, birch and oak. A harsh winter will delay the start of the pollen season. Next is the grass pollen season, which begins in mid-May and ends in July. Foxtail, oat, dogstail, timothy and meadow grasses are most usually associated with allergy in the UK. The grasses release their pollens from April to July. Finally, the weed pollen season overlaps and extends beyond the grass pollen season – from the end of June to September, the exact duration depending on the species of weed. Dock weed has the longest pollen season, beginning in early summer and finishing in mid autumn. Ragweed is another one to be wary of. Its season runs from August to November. Each plant produces as many as a billion pollen grains per season. It is a very powerful allergen with only minimal exposure often producing an attack. The amount of pollen released by trees, grasses, and weeds depends upon temperature and amount of sunlight, so will vary from season to season. Allergic attacks tend to happen in the city a day or so after pollen is released from its source in the countryside. Even though pollen travels, levels are still usually higher in rural areas than in the city.
What effect does time of day and weather have on pollen count?
Pollen counts tend to be higher in early morning and late evening, although they can sometimes be high all day long. If the grass is damp, the pollen peak will be later in the morning because the water evaporates before the pollen is released. Some grasses release their pollen in the afternoon. Pollen rises in the air during the day and then descends at night, as the air cools. In rural areas, the evening peak tends to occur between 6 and 9pm but in the city, where the air stays warmer for longer, the pollen descends later and levels tend to peak between 9pm and midnight or even later, which is why you may wake up sneezing in the night. Sunny days favour higher pollen counts and rain tends to wash the pollen away. On a cloudy day, pollen builds up only to be released on the next sunny day.
What is thunderstorm asthma?
Pollen grains may rupture in the high humidity before a storm breaks releasing lots of tiny starch granules. These are inhaled, often attached to diesel exhaust particles in urban areas, and may trigger an asthma attack at around the time when the thunder starts to rumble. Thunderstorm asthma tends to occur in people who have hay fever but do not usually suffer from asthma.
What is a pollen count?
A pollen count is generated by measuring the number of pollen grains in a given volume of air, using a pollen trap. In pollen counts, all pollen is treated as the same but obviously the risk to you will depend on which plant pollen(s) you are allergic to.
Are pollen forecasts useful?
A pollen forecast is based upon current pollen counts and information on the weather and time of year. The start of the pollen season can now be predicted quite accurately. These forecasts can be your guide to when to start taking antihistamines or extra asthma preventer.
How can I reduce my exposure to pollen outdoors?
- Check the pollen forecast before planning your day's activities.
- Try to limit time outside during the pollen season, especially at peak pollen times like early morning and late evening.
- Keep the windows of your car closed and use air conditioning fitted with a pollen filter. Altenatively, purchase and air purifier for your car, such as the Icleen Traveler. Avoid mowing the lawn or raking up leaves.
- Wear sunglasses when you are outside. A dust mask filters out pollen grains larger than 5 microns and may be useful sometimes. The main problem with dust masks is, that they a) only filter out large particle pollution, and b) that they restrict your breathing. The better the filter media of the dust mask is, the more restricted your breathing will be. The result is that you will breath the smallest and most harmful pollution deeper into your lungs then you would without wearing a dust mask. For that reason, we do not recommend using dust masks when cycling. Alternatively use a scarf over your nose or smear a little Vaseline inside your nostrils to trap some of the pollen grains.
- The use of an air purifier in your bedroom. It will allow your immune system to recover and thus be in better shape when exposed to allergens during the day.
How can I reduce my exposure to pollen indoors?
We bring pollen indoors on your clothes, shoes, and hair. Try these tips to reduce exposure:
- Change into relaxing or night clothes, particularly before entering the bedroom. Wash your regular clothes with Allersearch Laundry Detergent.
- Wash your hair free of pollen when you get home, especially during the pollen season.
- Pets carry pollen on their fur, so make sure to wash them regularly with PET+ pet shampoo, which is especially designed to destroy allergens.
- A good air cleaner will help get rid of air-borne pollen, if it moves enough air and has a high filtration efficiency.
- Damp dust or vacuum to get rid of dust and the pollen it contains.
- Don't hang clothes out to dry in the pollen season.
- Keep windows in the home closed when pollen counts are high.
More information Pollen Forecasts www.pollenuk.co.uk; http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=pollen;sess= Pollen seasons for different plants http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/health/public/pollen-forecast#calendar
