As I mentioned in a previous letter, out of the variety of flora, there are about 50 plants that are considered extremely significant in the development of allergies to pollen.
As you know, spring pollen allergies are caused primarily by tree blooms. So, from all of the plants, I have selected the 5 most allergenic trees that you should be aware of if you suffer from pollinosis.
1. Birch
So at the beginning of the list we have the birch, which is the most dangerous treefor allergy sufferers. It grows all over the United States, except in the southernmost and westernmost states.
Its pollen causes severe symptoms in more than half of allergy sufferers, including runny nose, watery eyes and, in the most severe cases, difficulty breathing.
So pay special attention to how you feel outside between April and May, when these trees are in bloom. If your symptoms are more pronounced, and the birch grows close to the house, it is better to get rid of it. Of course, to cut down a grown healthy tree is an extreme measure, but if it grows, for example, right by the bedroom windows, you need to do it. If the birch is relatively young, you can try to replant it in another part of the garden.
2. Cedar
Cedar is one of the trees that sheds a lot of pollen and can hinder outdoor activities for allergic people. They are small, gnarled trees with small leaves.
They can be found in a wide range of environments and climates across the United States, from the arid deserts of the Southwest to the wet forests of the Southeast.
Trees and bushes from this family of plants can be real troublemakers because their pollen season is very long. It can begin as early as January, and some can produce pollen until May or June.
3. Oak
Allergies can be caused by any contact with the oak tree. Its pollen, bark, and leaves contain powerful substances that can cure many diseases, but they can also have harmful effects on the body and cause an allergic reaction.
Because the proteins in oak pollen are similar in structure to those in birch pollen, a cross-allergic reaction to birch and oak can occur. This means that a person with little or no susceptibility to birch pollen will react to oak flowering.
4. Elm
Most trees of this species bloom before the leaves appear, from late April to late May. During flowering, the tree emits a huge amount of pollen, its highest concentration in the air between 10 am and 8 pm.
Elm is a wind-pollinating tree, and in terms of frequency of allergic reactions it is equal to birch.
The main cause of the reaction to elm pollen is the protein t8. However, it is not as aggressive as the birch, for example, and therefore the allergy to elm is less painful. At the same time, the structure of the t8 protein largely repeats that of the basic protein of the same birch, and, consequently, the easily tolerated allergy to elm is supplemented by a strong cross-reaction to birch, hazel, and oak.
5. Mulberry
Mulberry trees are known to produce large amounts of pollen, which is an important cause of seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis. Sensitivity to mulberry pollen has been observed in 13% of patients with pollinosis.
These trees/shrubs are found almost all over the planet.
They are so widespread because of their heat and drought tolerance. Unfortunately, mulberry trees produce so much pollen that some American cities have banned the planting of new ones.
For example, because of the significant allergenic effects of mulberry pollen, the state of Arizona (USA) decided in 1984 to ban the planting of these trees. In 1992, a similar ban appeared in another American city, El Paso, Texas.
Most people I've spoken to about pollen allergies think the main pollen culprits are trees with big, beautiful-smelling flowers. But as you can see in this article, trees without flowers can do you even more harm.
Trees such as oak, birch and elm are wind pollinated, which means that pollen inevitably gets into the air and so causes seasonal allergies.
Ready or not, tree pollen season is here! I hope you make the most of it and don't let allergies keep you stuck indoors.
Have a beautiful spring!