Sensitizing plantsplanted in the garden may be a problem for people prone to allergies. As allergies are more and more common, it is worth finding outwhich plants can cause allergies and what are the symptoms of allergyBelow we present the most common plant species in gardensallergenic plant species If you are allergic, better avoid them in your garden!
Sensitizing plants can cause a runny nose and sneezing
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Symptoms of plant allergies
The most common areallergies to pollen , occurring during the flowering of a given allergenic plant. Since pollen can be spread over long distances by wind,does not need to come into direct contact with the allergic plantfor an allergic reaction to occur.Common symptoms of pollen allergy :
- itchy, red and watery eyes and conjunctivitis,
- hay fever, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath,
- headaches, concentration disorders, weakness,
- rash, burning, itching and blisters on the skin.
Symptoms of plant pollen allergyare often so bothersome that they discourage allergy sufferers from staying outside, not to mention spending longer in the garden.
Pollen allergy is not the only negative impact of plants. Allergic to plants may appear after touching their leaves or shoots , which may result in, among others, various skin reactions. Thereforeallergy sufferers should avoid plants with a strong smell of , hairy stems and leaves, and irritating substances in the juice.
Sensitizing plants in the garden - trees
Wind-pollinated trees are one of the most allergenic plants. They produce very large amounts of pollen that is blown by the wind.
Most common allergenic trees :
1. Birch, alder and hazel
Birch pollen allergens appear in the air mainly at the turn of April and MayBut they may appear in March. Birch pollen reaches very high concentrations in the air also in apartments with windows in close proximity to flowering birches. Interestingly,birch trees growing in urban areas, near busy streets, produce more allergens than trees growing away from car traffic
Sensitizing plants - birch flowers
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People who are allergic to birch pollen are also usually allergic to alder pollen and hazel(cross-reactions). The alder pollen season usually takes place before the birch starts pollinating (March). Hazel pollination, depending on weather conditions, may begin in January, February or only at the end of March if the winter is frosty and long. In the centers of large cities, the concentration of hazel pollen is not very high. However, in suburban areas and near allotment gardens, the concentration of hazel pollen can reach very high values.
Sensitizing plants - linden flowers
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2. Lipa
Another tree that is often allergenic is linden.Lime is the most dusty in the second half of June . Lower concentrations of linden pollen in the air occur from July to August.
3. Poplar and willow
The poplar is a dioecious tree, which means that male and female flowers are found on separate specimens. This is of great importance in the prophylactic action in allergology.By planting only female trees, you can reduce the concentration of poplar pollen in the immediate vicinity , which is produced only by male specimens.The highest concentration of poplar pollen in the air occurs in April
Poplar pollen may cross-react with willow pollen . Willow begins to dust already at the beginning of February. However, the highest intensity of willow pollen occurs a bit later - in mid-March and lasts until mid-April.
Important!Poplar pollen from the inflorescences of the tree should not be confused with the pollen dust that can be observed in the summer months. In the latter case, the seeds are sown with a bunch of soft, snow-white fluff, and not pollen.Poplar seeds do not cause allergies, while calyx fluff may irritate the mucous membranes of the nose and conjunctiva. "
4. Beech and oak
Beeches bloom at the turn of April and May. In individual years, there are very large fluctuations in the intensity of beech pollen. The beech is dusty profusely and bears fruit every 5-10 years.Allergies to beech pollen allergens are not very commonThese allergens, however, cross-react with many other allergens, e.g. oak pollen.
The pollen of oak flowers unfortunately causes allergies quite often . Due to the different pollen dates of pedunculate and sessile oak, exposure to oak pollen allergens is quite long (up to 4 weeks), from mid-April to May.
Sensitizing plants in the garden - grasses
Allergy sufferers should definitely give up growing ornamental grasses in the gardenAllergens present in grass pollen are the most common cause of seasonal symptoms of pollen allergy in Poland, i.e.pollinosis. The reason for the allergy to grasses are proteins present in their pollen, which in allergic people cause an overreaction of the immune system. The grass pollen season is relatively long. It starts in May and can run until the beginning of September. The grass pollen peak occurs from the second half of May to the beginning of July.In addition to ornamental grasses, which are popularly grown in gardens, such as papmpass grass, Chinese miscanthus or Eastern scrub, pay attention toweeds from the family of grass plants(Gramineae). The most sensitizing wild grasses are: timothy, cocksfoot, mint, red fescue, meadow fawn, sweet tom and meadow grass.
Sensitizing plants in the garden - weeds
Weed pollen is another, after tree and grass pollen, reason for seasonal allergiesThese often inconspicuous plants belonging to different families can exacerbate the symptoms of allergy sufferers.They often sensitize plantain, nettle, sorrel, ambrosia, quinoa and mugwort.
Sensitizing plants - nettle
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The flowering period of weeds begins in May and ends in September. The greatest intensity of weed pollination occurs in July and August.
Sensitizing plants in the garden - flowers
Very often they sensitize Asteraceae plants , which cause allergies at the moment of contact with the plant. These are such species as: calendula, yarrow, chamomile and chrysanthemum. The reala nuisance for allergy sufferers is Chrysanthemum , also called margaretka. Chrysanthemum blooms from May to July, spreading large amounts of pollen during this time.
Anothergroup of plants that cause skin allergyare spurgeons. They give off poisonous white milk juice, which causes irritation, dermatitis and blistering.
When touched, they can also sensitize ivy and pelargonium, as well as shoots of tomatoes and cucumbers, as well as parsley, parsnips, and even mint. Hyacinth bulbs can also cause skin changes on the fingertips.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
