Tree pollen allergy is caused, as the name suggests, by exposure to pollen released by trees during their pollination period. Ash trees, alders, cypresses, birches… These trees are among the first pollen emitters of the year. They produce small grains of pollen in large quantities, which facilitates their transport in the air and causes more or less intense symptoms ranging from sneezing, difficulty breathing, itching, nasal congestion, watery eyes and/or coughing. How to limit exposure to pollens and relieve harmful symptoms? Can we cure for tree pollen allergy ?
What exactly is tree pollen? What does it look like ?
Pollen is an essential element in the reproductive process of trees. It’s regarding a fine powder produced by the male organs of tree flowers (the stamens). Once released into the air, the pollen is carried by the wind or insects to the female flower organs (pistils) where it can fertilize the ovules and form seeds. It is this process that is called the pollination :
- when the pollen is carried by the wind, it is called anemophilous pollen
- and when the pollen is carried by insects, it is called entomophilous pollen.
The trees likely to cause allergies are therefore all anemophilous: their pollen is produced in large quantities and transported by the wind over tens of kilometres, which increases its chances of being inhaled by humans.
In video: “Why are we allergic to pollen?”
Birch, ash, oak, alder, plane tree… Which tree produces the most allergenic pollen? At what period?
As you will understand, not all trees are allergenic. To penetrate our mucous membranes and cause allergy symptoms, their pollen must be able to be disseminated by the wind. Find below trees most at riskclassified according to their allergenic potential.
Pollen from trees with low allergenic potential:
- THE hop-charmfrom the Betulaceae family (flowering period: from March to May);
- THE chestnut treesfrom the fabaceae family (flowering period: from June to July);
- THE junipersfrom the Cupressaceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- THE ifsfrom the taxaceae family (flowering period: from June to October);
- THE white mulberriesfrom the Moraceae family (flowering period: from April to June);
- THE walnutsfrom the juglandaceae family (flowering period: from May to June);
- THE elmsfrom the Ulmaceae family (flowering period: from March to April);
- THE poplarsfrom the Salicaceae family (flowering period: from March to April);
- THE pinsfrom the Pinaceae family (flowering period: from March to May);
- THE robiniersfrom the fabaceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- and the cedarsfrom the Cupressaceae family (flowering period: from March to May).
Moderately allergenic tree pollens:
- THE baccharisfrom the Compositae family (flowering period: from August to October);
- THE Oak treesfrom the fagaceae family (flowering period: from May to June);
- THE maplesfrom the Aceraceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- THE beechesfrom the fagaceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- THE plane treesfrom the Platanaceae family (flowering period: from May to June);
- THE the sunfrom the Salicaceae family (flowering period: from February to April);
- THE Tiliafrom the tilliaceae family (flowering period: from June to July);
- and the privetfrom the Oleaceae family (flowering period: from May to June).
Highly allergenic tree pollens:
- THE aulnesfrom the Betulaceae family (flowering period: from February to April);
- THE birchesfrom the Betulaceae family (flowering period: from March to April);
- THE you fallfrom the Cupressaceae family (flowering period: from March to April);
- THE charmsfrom the Betulaceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- THE japan cryptomeriafrom the Taxodiaceae family (flowering period: February)
- THE arizona cypressfrom the Cupressaceae family (flowering period: from February to April);
- THE common cypressfrom the Cupressaceae family (flowering period: from February to April);
- THE ash treesfrom the Oleaceae family (flowering period: from January to March);
- THE paper mulberryfrom the Moraceae family (flowering period: from April to May);
- THE hazel treesfrom the Betulaceae family (flowering period: from January to March);
- and the olive treesfrom the Oleaceae family (flowering period: from May to June).
When does tree pollen season end?
tree pollen season starts from January with certain trees such as ash and hazel. It then continues until the end of spring, or even until the beginning of July for the chestnut and lime trees.
Note: alongside tree pollen, grass pollen (ragweed, wormwood, parietaria, etc.) and ornamental grasses (baldingère, hare’s tail, fescues, etc.) strike from the beginning of April until the middle of autumn.
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To know the distribution and advance of pollen in France (in France and overseas), consult the updated map on the dedicated page of the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA).
Tree pollen allergy: what are the warning symptoms?
Symptoms of tree pollen allergy are similar to those of any pollen allergy:
- nez that flows ;
- congestion nasale ;
- red, watery eyes ;
- sneezing in burst ;
- itching in the nose and palate ;
- feeling of having sand in the eye ;
- photophobia ;
- sometimes edema in the eyelids.
In very allergic people, pollen can also be responsible for severe asthma (we speak of allergic asthma), the symptoms of which can be: cougha wheezingand shortness of breath and an chest tightness. If necessary, do not hesitate to consult a doctor quickly.
Please note: there are cross allergies between pollen and certain foods!
Cross-allergy between tree pollen and food is common among people with seasonal allergies. They are due to a similarity between proteins in tree pollen and those found in certain foods. For example, people allergic to birch pollen may also be allergic to apples, carrots, nuts, and cherries. Similarly, people allergic to hazel pollen may be sensitive to avocados, bananas, tomatoes, and kiwis.
If in doubt, consult an allergist quickly to determine the exact cause of your symptoms and receive appropriate treatment.
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How to protect yourself during the pollen season?
Tree pollen allergies affect the physical well-being, but also the psychological well-being (fatigue, reduced concentration, social eviction, etc.) of people who suffer from it. Fortunately, certain eviction measures make it possible to limit their impact:
- close your windows during the day, ventilate your home in the evening only, but avoid sleeping with the window open ;
- limit outdoor activities (walks, camping, picnics, etc.) when the pollen concentration is highest (usually in the early morning and evening);
- by car, roll up the windows closed and, if possible, use a recirculated air system;
- wear a hat and sunglasses outdoors (to prevent pollen or stinging fruit hairs from coming into contact with your eyes);
- avoid drying your laundry outside et wash your clothes regularly to rid them of possible pollen;
- wash your hair regularly to remove pollen (preferably before going to bed);
- choose single-use contact lenses (disposable at the end of the day), rather than monthly or fortnightly lenses;
- et find out regarding pollen alerts of RNSA (National Aerobiological Surveillance Network).
Treatment: what drugs to soothe the symptoms of tree pollen allergy?
The first thing to do is toavoid pollen respecting preventive measures. But in the middle of the pollen peak, it is sometimes far from enough. It is therefore possible to rely on symptomatic treatments:
- local treatments such as nasal spray or drops, saline or eye drops;
- and second-generation H1 antihistamineswhich block the histamine H1 receptor (responsible for inflammation).
In the event of an asthma attack, it is possible to take Ventolin or corticosteroids with anti-inflammatory properties.
What does desensitization do?
Desensitization, also called allergen immunotherapy (ITA), can be prescribed by an allergist in case of severe and persistent allergy despite conventional treatments. It consists in putting oneself in contact every day with the pollen to which one reacts. Thus the body will get used to it and learn to react normally to its contact.
Note: this procedure is possible from the age of 5 and must be followed on the long term.
