Pollen Allergen
Pollen grains are the reproductive bodies of plants, which are produced by the male parts for the purpose of fertilization of the female flowers or floral parts, much like sperm is produced in animals, in the process of reproduction.
Allergies to pollen are well known. This section is intended to give some information on pollen in general and also to break down the various aeroallergens that cause illness. The protein contained in the pollen and parts of the plant released in the air are the source of allergic reactions. The immune system treats the allergen as an invader and mobilizes the body to attack. A large amount of a type of antibody, which is specific to one particular allergenic substance, is generated. The antigen attaches to tissue and blood cells of the body and when it meets the antibody powerful inflammatory chemicals are produced. These chemicals act on tissues in various parts of the body, such as the respiratory system, and cause the symptoms of allergy.
Every individual who has allergies is unique and generalization is not possible when dealing with this issue. At Aerobiology Research Laboratories we attempt to identify all potential aeroallergens, their seasons and distribution.
During certain times of the year many different types of pollen are found in the air. These pollen grains can come from trees, shrubs, weeds and grasses. We are only concerned with pollen that get airborne or are wind-pollinated. Flowers, such as tulips and roses, shrubs such as lilac bushes and weeds, like clover are mostly insect pollinated and rarely become airborne. These types of plants are generally of no concern when it comes to allergies. People who are highly allergenic generally suffer from multiple allergies. The only way one could get a reaction to pollen from insect pollinated plants is by direct contact. The reaction could possibly be a skin rash or one caused by the aroma of the plant.
Allergies from airborne particles are caused by certain tree, weed and grass pollen as well as fungal spores. Fungal spores are also found in high numbers at certain times of the year, many of these are not the source of human, animal or plant disease but many of them are. We have attempted to include a list of the major allergenic pollen and spores and an explanation of some of the diseases they can cause and sometimes where they are found or the source as in the case of fungi.
Certain pollen are the cause of upper respiratory symptoms that are the body's response to an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction). Allergies to pollen, or hayfever, is one of the most common chronic diseases.
Some of the pollen and spores are listed because of their abundance in numbers and their allergenic properties are either not known or may only exist because of the high numbers produced.
Sensitized individuals with significant alder and birch allergies may develop oral allergy syndrome. Cross-reacting sensitivities can occur to the skin of certain fresh fruits like apples, the plum family, and certain vegetables such as celery, carrots and nuts. This cross-reactivity is believed to be due to the antigen (allergy causing protein) structure of the pollen grains and the carbohydrate protein covering of the foods. Cooking or peeling the skin will usually help in making the foods tolerable. Nut sensitivities are not easy to minimize and can be life threatening and should be avoided.
Management of allergies to pollen and spores is not easy but can be minimized by staying indoors when pollen counts for allergens are high. Spores are, however, much harder to minimize since they are found in abundance both in the indoor and outdoor environments. The same fungal spores that are found outdoors also exist indoors, however, there are also some differences. Air conditioning, staying indoors when aeroallergens are high, avoiding carpets, vacuuming and air filtration can all help in limiting the amount of allergen one is exposed to. Immunotherapy has also shown to benefit patients with inhalant allergies. More progress has been made in dealing with allergies to pollen than with the fungal spores. The fungi are much harder to identify as to which one is causing the allergic reaction since there are so many of them. Another problem has been in isolating the allergen that is causing the reaction and purifying it for testing patients.
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