Hazel allergy is actually an allergy to the pollen of this plant. Hazel pollen is the first allergen to appear in the air. Usually we are exposed to it in February, but when winter is not frosty, it can be troublesome as early as January.
Hazel pollen allergymay appear as early as January if the weather is good. Hazel is a tall shrub commonly found in Poland and Europe. It grows up to 5 meters.
The hazel grows before the leaves develop on the bush. This is because the leaves would restrict the movement of the dust grains, the male reproductive cells. Male flowers, called cats, are produced in late summer and autumn. They are 5 cm long, grouped in clusters, 3-4 in one.
Hazelnuts are popular hazelnuts.
The beginning of the flowering of hazel is considered to be the beginning of the botanical early spring. The highest concentration of hazel pollen occurs near hazel orchards, allotment gardens and some parks.
In large cities, high concentrations of hazel pollen are rare, and the number of days with concentrations that may cause allergic symptoms is small and limited to a few days a year.
In suburban areas, the concentration of hazel pollen in the air is usually higher.
Good to know: Allergy - symptoms, types, treatment
Hazel allergy - symptoms
In people allergic to hazel pollen allergens, allergic symptoms may occur suddenly, i.e. without initial symptoms, gradually worsening, which is typical for other inhaled allergens. This is because due to the early and short flowering of the bush, the period of contact with the hazel pollen allergen is short.
Common symptoms of hazel pollen allergy are mainly rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
Besides it appears:
- runny nose
- severe itching of the nose
- frequent sneezing
- tearing, strong redness and burning of the conjunctiva of the eyes
Nasal obstruction occurs less frequently than in the case of allergy to other pollen allergens.
Lower respiratory tract symptoms are very rare and are found almost exclusively in people professionally involved in the cultivation of hazel (and their families) and in people withstay in the vicinity of dusty hazel.
The first clinical symptoms in people allergic to hazel pollen allergens were observed in some patients at the concentration exceeding 35 hazel pollen grains in 1 m³ of air. In all subjects, clinical symptoms occurred at the concentration exceeding 80 pollen grains in 1 m³ of air, and symptoms described as severe - at the concentration exceeding 150 pollen grains in 1 m³ air.
It is worth remembering that hypersensitivity or allergy to hazel pollen allergens is usually accompanied by an allergy to birch and alder pollen.
Clinical symptoms of hazel pollen allergy will also occur after eating hazelnuts. Therefore, you should read the labels on the products you buy in order not to expose yourself to ailments.
About the author
Anna Jarosz A journalist who has been involved in popularizing he alth education for over 40 years. Winner of many competitions for journalists dealing with medicine and he alth. She received, among others The "Golden OTIS" Trust Award in the "Media and He alth" category, St. Kamil awarded on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick, twice the "Crystal Pen" in the national competition for journalists promoting he alth, and many awards and distinctions in competitions for the "Medical Journalist of the Year" organized by the Polish Association of Journalists for He alth.
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