What Is a Pollen Allergy?

Millions of people suffer from allergies. There are different types of allergies, but one of the most common is a pollen allergy, also known as hay fever. Certain plants produce small particles called pollen, and quite often, these particles are breathed into people's noses and throat passages. As a result, the pollen may cause an allergic reaction, which is often the immune system's response to a foreign substance. Fortunately, pollen allergies are treatable and controllable.

Significance

It's not always easy to cope with a pollen allergy. Many people find it a challenge trying to deal with the accompanying symptoms. Unfortunately, being allergic to pollen can greatly interfere with your daily tasks, job duties and other responsibilities. However, there are treatment options available to help you better cope and be productive. So, even if you are allergic to pollen, with the right knowledge, medication and lifestyle adjustments, you can learn to manage your pollen allergy.

Types

There are certain types of average-looking plants that produce pollen; these plants can cause people to have severe allergic reactions. The most common types of allergenic pollens are:

Weeds: ragweed, redroot pigweed, lamb's quarters, sagebrush, English plantain, Russian thistle (tumbleweed).

Grass: Kentucky bluegrass, timothy grass, redtop grass, Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, orchard grass and sweet vernal grass.

Trees: ash, oak, hickory, pecan, mountain cedar, elm and box elder.

Symptoms

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there are several common symptoms that are associated with a pollen allergy, including: watery eyes; sneezing; runny nose; itchy eyes, nose and roof of mouth; stuffy nose; ear fullness with a popping sensation; dark circles below the eyes; hives; pressure in the cheeks and nose. Please keep in mind that you may not have all of the symptoms listed above. Your symptoms are based on different factors, such as the amount of pollen that you are exposed to, your immune system's reaction, and the length of time you are around the allergen.

Time Frame

Since pollen allergies are seasonal, allergy sufferers only have to deal with the unpleasant symptoms during certain times of the year. Unlike other types of allergies, like mold, dust and pet dander (which can be present at any time of the year), pollen allergies only occur during the plant's "pollinating period." For example, trees normally produce pollen in the spring (late April or May); grasses and weeds usually produce pollen in the summer (late May to mid-July); and ragweed often produces pollen in the fall (late August to the first frost).

Treatment Options

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available for those with a pollen allergy. Although there are a variety of allergy medications for sale at drugstores and pharmacies, it is best to visit your primary care physician or an allergy specialist first, to ensure that you take the appropriate medications for your pollen allergy. A doctor can give you certain allergy tests to determine which type(s) of pollen you are allergic to, and he can recommend the best treatment options for you to follow. Treatment options for pollen allergies may include one or more of the following: antihistamines; decongestants; nasal steroid sprays; cromolyn sodium nasal sprays; eye drops; allergy shots.

There are also things you can do to avoid coming in contact with pollen:

Keep the windows and doors closed at home and in the car, and use the air conditioner when possible.

Avoid going outside, especially when it is dry and windy.

Always take a shower or bath before you go to bed, in order to remove pollen from your body.