Birch pollen allergens sensitize slightly less frequently than grass pollen allergens. Symptoms of birch pollen allergy are primarily allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and atopic pollen asthma. What other symptoms of birch pollen allergy may be and how is it treated?

Contents:

  1. Birch pollen allergy - symptoms
  2. Allergy to birch pollen - pollen asthma
  3. Birch pollen allergy - cross-reactions and OAS
  4. Birch pollen allergy - treatment
  5. Birch pollen allergy - list of cross-reacting allergens

Birch pollen allergyproduces symptoms that appear the moment the tree starts blooming.Birch dustingoccurs in Poland in the second half of April and the first days of May. Birch pollen can reach very high concentrations. Research by specialists shows that birch trees growing in urban areas near busy streets emit more allergens than trees growing away from car traffic.

Birch pollen allergy - symptoms

The sudden onset of birch pollen causes the symptoms of birch pollen allergy to appear suddenly, without any preliminary symptoms. Already in the first days of pollen pollination, the pollen concentration reaches very high values. The concentration of pollen at which symptoms of birch pollen allergy appear in more than 95 percent of those who are allergic in Poland is about 80 birch pollen grains in 1 m3of air. Symptoms that appear suddenly include:

  • watery discharge
  • itchy nose
  • sneezing
  • nasal obstruction
  • tearing, red eyes and burning conjunctiva.

Allergy to birch pollen - pollen asthma

On days when the concentration of birch pollen in the air is very high, people allergic to birch pollen may experience symptoms of allergic asthma (shortness of breath, paroxysmal cough, wheezing, chest tightness).

Birch pollen allergy - cross-reactions and OAS

Birch pollen allergens cause cross-reactions - people who are primarily hypersensitive to birch pollen may develop OAS, or oral allergy syndrome. Some allergy sufferers do not tolerate single fruit and vegetables, others - they are allergic to a dozen or even several dozen.

OAS symptoms are:

  • contact urticaria
  • swelling of the deeper tissues of the hands and mouth.

You may experience rhinitis (e.g. when peeling oranges), conjunctivitis with profuse lacrimation or hoarseness. Anaphylactic shock or an asthma attack is very rare, and the larynx (Quincke's edema) is more common.

If an OAS allergy knows what's causing him and avoids it, he or she may have no symptoms for years. However, it's not always easy to do.

Recently, for example, scientists have come to the conclusion that not only foods containing allergenic fruits, but also creams containing these fruits can cause allergies.

It is important that, unlike most food allergies, the fruit and vegetable intolerance observed in OAS patients is characteristic of adults and does not occur in children.

Birch pollen allergy - treatment

One way to treat birch pollen allergy is to avoid contact with the allergen. In practice, however, this assumption is not so simple. During the birch pollen season, pollen floats in the air and is carried by the wind, so they can cause allergic reactions even at a seemingly safe distance from the allergen.

In this situation, it is best to see a doctor and prescribe antihistamines to prevent the secretion of histamine. In doing so, they will help soothe persistent allergy symptoms. Montelukast or levocetirizine, as well as corticosteroids, are the most commonly used treatments for birch pollen allergies.

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Birch pollen allergy - list of cross-reacting allergens

Birch cross reacts not only with fruit and vegetables. Allergic reactions can trigger pollen from other trees, spices, and even … latex.

The most common allergens that cross-react with birch pollen include:

  • beech,
  • oak,
  • alder,
  • ash,
  • hazel,
  • chestnut,
  • olive tree,
  • poplar,
  • grasses / grains,
  • bylica,
  • chamomile,
  • stone fruit (apple, pear, plum, peach),
  • banana,
  • kiwi,
  • lychee,
  • mango,
  • orange,
  • carrot (raw),
  • potato (raw),
  • celery,
  • soybeans,
  • tomato (raw),
  • anise,
  • curry,
  • peppers,
  • pepper,
  • caraway,
  • coriander,
  • nuts,
  • latex.
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  • Grass pollen allergy - symptoms. Which grasses sensitize?
  • Tree pollen allergy. Symptoms of tree pollen allergy
  • Inhaled allergy: causes, symptoms and treatments

Category:

Allergies