Tree Pollen Allergy

Spring is a difficult time for people with tree pollen allergy. Pollinosis (seasonal allergic rhinitis) affects millions of people worldwide and significantly reduces quality of life during the flowering season.

Which Trees Cause Allergies

The main sources of allergenic pollen are:

Birch: one of the main sources of allergenic pollen in countries with a temperate climate. Its major allergenic component is the protein Bet v 1;
Alder: one of the first trees to flower, often before its leaves appear;
Hazel: one of the earliest allergens of the spring season;
Oak, ash and maple: flower later than birch and can cause symptoms in sensitized patients;
Plane tree: a significant allergen in regions with a warm climate.

Symptoms of Pollinosis

Typical manifestations of tree pollen allergy include:

nasal congestion, profuse watery discharge, sneezing;
itchy, red and watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis);
itching in the throat and palate;
coughing and difficulty breathing (when bronchial asthma develops);
fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbances.

Cross-Reactive Food Allergy

In many patients, tree pollen allergy can be accompanied by cross-reactive food allergy. This is due to the similarity between certain allergenic molecules found in pollen and in foods.

For example, people allergic to birch pollen may react to apples, pears, peaches, sour cherries, sweet cherries, carrots, celery, hazelnuts and some other foods. Most often, these reactions appear as itching or tingling in the mouth and throat after eating fresh fruits or vegetables. This condition is known as oral allergy syndrome.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis includes skin prick tests with pollen allergens, specific IgE testing and molecular (component-resolved) allergy diagnostics. The main treatment approaches are antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids and allergen immunotherapy (AIT).

KombiMED supplies diagnostic equipment and consumables for detecting pollen allergy to allergy clinics and laboratories.

Tree Pollen Allergy