Tuesday, February 21, 2012

About Allergies: Pine Pollen as a Cause of Spring Hay Fever

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From Daniel More, MD, your Guide to Allergies
In many parts of the country, trees are beginning to pollinate. Pine trees are one of the most obvious trees pollinating this time of year, because they make quite a mess. Pine trees emit copious amounts of the yellow, powdery stuff, coating cars and driveways, and making a mess in general. But what about allergies? Are people really allergic to pine pollen, or is it just a colorful masquerader that pollinates at the same time as more allergenic trees? The answer is probably a little bit of both. Pine pollen is a large particle, and fails to travel long distances, and has a waxy coating on its surface. This makes pine pollen a minor allergy trigger for most people, although some people do experience significant allergic symptoms. Other tree pollens that aren't as visible, such as birch, cedar, oak and sycamore, happen to be in the air at the same time as the colorful pine pollen.

How Pollen Causes Allergy Symptoms
Pollen consists of tiny, egg-shaped, powdery grains released from flowering plants, which are carried by the wind or insects and serve to cross-pollinate other plants of the same type for reproductive purposes. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person's eyes, nose, lungs and skin and cause an allergic reaction. Pollen that is spread by the wind is usually the main cause of seasonal allergies, while pollen that relies on insects (such as the honeybee) to carried it to other plants do not. Most plants with bright, vibrant flowers, such as roses, are pollinated by insects and do not generally cause seasonal allergies since the pollen is not usually present in the air.

Everything You Need to Know About Hay Fever
Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne plant pollens, which are typically only present for part of a year, such as spring or fall. Pollen consists of tiny, egg-shaped, powdery grains released from flowering plants, such as trees, weeds and grasses, which are carried by the wind or insects and serve to cross-pollinate other plants of the same type for reproductive purposes. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person's eyes, nose, lungs and skin and cause hay fever symptoms.

All About Spring Allergies
Spring is the most common time of the year for people to experience seasonal allergy symptoms. As the weather gets warmer and plants start to bloom, trees and grasses release pollen into the air, triggering allergic symptoms in those with seasonal allergies. Colorful flowers also bloom in the spring, and are often blamed as the cause of spring allergies. In addition to plants, exposure to pet rabbits received as Easter presents may also be a reason why allergy symptoms can flare during the spring.
See More About:  spring allergies  hay fever  fall allergies

Asthma and Lung Allergies
Various allergic diseases of the lungs are described, including asthma, COPD, emphysema and chronic cough. Other rare diseases are also covered, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and eosinophilic pneumonias.

 


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This newsletter is written by:
Daniel More, MD
Allergies Guide
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