What is Pollen?
Pollen is a granular and powdery substance found in the flowers of weeds, grasses, and trees and plays a major role in the fertilization of plants. Pollen spreads in various ways, including via insect and wind dispersion. It is not uncommon for people to develop allergic reactions to pollen, which is also called sometimes called hay fever. Pollen allergies can also cause asthma.
For people that are allergic to pollen it can be challenging to avoid pollen because of the way it is carried in the wind and is very easily inhaled, but there are steps that can taken to lessen exposure to pollen, and if needed there are medications available for both asthma and hay fever.
In some cases an allergy specialist will recommend a series of injections. This treatment is known as desensitization, and is used to help your body stop reacting to various pollens.
Diagnosing Pollen Allergies
Because immune systems differ from person to person, pollen allergy symptoms can present in various diverse way. This can make diagnosis of a pollen allergy challenging, but if you suspect you have a pollen allergy, it can be helpful to keep record of any symptoms you experience to help you, as well as your doctor, understand what might be the fundamental cause of your symptoms. If you keep record of your symptoms consider including where the symptoms occur most often (i.e. inside or outside your home), how long the symptoms occur, what time of day the symptoms occur, what time of year the symptoms are most prevalent, if symptoms occur near animals and or insects, of after you have ingested a certain food, drink, or medication.
Asthma from Pollen Allergies
Because when pollen is present in the air it is easily breathed into a person’s lungs directly, and if there is a pollen allergy this can in turn cause asthma for some people. Common symptoms of asthma include the following:
• wheezing
• coughing
• pain or tightness in the chest
• shortness of breath, and or difficulty with breathing
Hay Fever Symptoms With Pollen Allergies
Hay fever is the common name for seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is referred to as seasonal because the specific symptoms occur only during pollen seasons. Hay fever used to refer more commonly to any allergies caused only by grass pollens, but the term now also refers to allergies causing symptoms of rhinitis, as well.
Common symptoms of hay fever/allergies from pollens include the following:
• frequent sneezing
• runny and itchy nose
• itchy, watery, and red eyes
• itchy throat and/or itchiness on roof of mouth
• coughing
• nasal congestion
• sinuses that feel blocked or inflamed
• extreme fatigue
Further, those suffering from hay fever are unfortunately more apt to develop sinus infections, too. Often times sleep becomes interrupted and this can of course lead to extreme fatigue. Severe symptoms of hay fever can affect learning capabilities for kids and can compromise productivity for adults. Additionally hay fever will likely make it more challenging to control issues associated with asthma.
If you suspect you have allergies, or asthma, and have not had it diagnosed, it is recommended to seek medical care to help treat and relieve symptoms appropriately.