Birch Tree Allergies
A birch tree allergy is an abnormal response of your body to the pollen that a birch tree emits. Birch trees are one of many trees that can trigger an allergic reaction in certain people. These trees are common and have many people who suffer adverse reactions during their pollen season.
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Frequency
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Birch trees are one of the top pollen producing trees. As a result, they are associated with a number of people who have a birch tree allergy. While this tree reaches its peak for spewing pollen into the air at different times in different parts of the world, this tree reaches it's height for trigger allergy symptoms in February through June in the U.S.
Symptoms
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Symptoms for a birch tree allergy are fairly typical to other airborne allergies. Allergic rhinitis typically expresses itself with a runny or stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, itchy eyes and/or a rash. One part of a birch tree pollen allergy that is not typical of many other airborne allergens is a condition where food can also trigger an allergic reaction. This situation is known as "oral allergy syndrome."
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Oral Allergy Syndrome
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A common symptom of birch tree allergies is a condition called "oral allergy syndrome." This disorder occurs when someone who is allergic to birch trees eats certain foods that the body misinterprets as birch tree pollen. As a result, the body responds with an itching or hives inside the mouth.
There are a number of foods that can trigger oral allergy syndrome in those with a birch tree allergy. Some more common ones are almonds, apples, celery, potatoes and wheat. It is important to note that oral allergy syndrome is not a true food allergy, rather a pollen allergy that expresses itself through food.
Oral allergy syndrome can occur in as many as 70 percent of people who have a pollen allergy.
Treatment
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Like any other type of allergy producing substance, complete avoidance is the best way to treat and hopefully prevent an allergic reaction to birch trees. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for an allergy sufferer to completely escape tree pollen when it is at its height. Even sealing a home off from the outside world will not allow for complete avoidance, as this microscopic substance will likely still find a hole to burrow through and find someone who is allergic to it.
When in the midst of an allergic reaction, antihistamines (over the counter or prescription) will work best to calm the body's irrational response to the tree pollen. Even taking the antihistamine before going outdoors can cut down on some problems associated with the allergy.
Prevention
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Even though complete avoidance is not totally possible, making a concerted effort to avoid outdoor air during peak birch tree pollen season is still important. If you must be out for an extended period of time and are suffering the ill effects of this tree pollen, a dusk mask might be advisable.
If you have been outdoors during the peak birch tree pollen season, once you arrive back indoors, remove the clothes you wore outdoors and wash them to remove any traces of the pollen residue. In addition, take a shower and wash your hair to remove any trace amounts that could be present on your body. These two steps can go a long way to avoiding or reducing allergic reactions, particularly inside your home.
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References
- Photo Credit birch image by daki from Fotolia.com
