Pollen allergy is a seasonal allergy caused by breathing in microscopic pollen grains from plants during cross-pollination. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, and itchy skin. Allergy testing, including a skin test and blood test, can confirm a pollen allergy.
The main thing to recognize about being allergic to pollen is that it is a seasonal allergy. In the spring and summer, when the microscopic grain-like parts of a plant called pollen travel on the wind to fertilize other plants in the process called cross-pollination, people outdoors can breathe in the grains. People who are not allergic to pollen will not be significantly affected, while those who are will experience nose and throat irritation and other noticeable symptoms. Sneezing and a runny or stuffy nose are the most common symptoms of a pollen allergy.
If you notice that you sneeze more than usual when you’re outside in the spring or summer, this could be the first sign that you may be allergic to pollen. Dust or other irritants could also cause sneezing, so that symptom alone isn’t enough to confirm an allergy. Other symptoms of a pollen allergy include watery eyes and itchy skin. Some people with pollen allergies also experience nausea, vomiting and headaches, but these symptoms are not that common.
Hay fever and seasonal allergic rhinitis are other terms for pollen allergy. A person may have an allergy to pollen from one or more specific sources, such as a certain type of tree. Trees, flowers, weeds and grasses distribute pollen seasonally. It might be difficult, but you may be able to notice a pattern to help you link your allergy symptoms to a certain type of pollen. For example, if you find yourself sneezing every time you work with certain weeds in your garden, this could suggest that you may be allergic to pollen from that source.
Seeing a doctor who is experienced in diagnosing and treating allergies can help you confirm or rule out a pollen allergy. Allergy testing is conducted in two main ways; a skin test followed by a blood test is generally considered a reliable method of diagnosing a nasal allergy. Small particles of pollen from various sources are placed under the skin of the arm or back. Reactions such as swelling or redness indicate that the person likely has a pollen allergy; a blood test is then administered which can confirm the allergy.
Two common blood tests for allergies are the enzyme immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioallergosorbent (RAST). A blood test without skin testing is usually not considered effective in diagnosing a pollen allergy. If high amounts of allergic antibodies (IgE) are present in the blood of a person who has had a reaction to an allergic skin test, the diagnosis is made. If you experience redness or swelling during an allergy skin test and your blood test shows IgE, your doctor will likely confirm that you are allergic to pollen.
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