Spring is a time of growth, renewal, and for many people, an unfortunate reminder of seasonal allergies. Tree pollen is one of the most common triggers for allergic reactions this time of year. As trees start releasing their pollen into the air, millions of people begin to suffer from symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses. If you’ve found yourself reaching for tissues or allergy medicine more often lately, you’re not alone. Let’s break down how tree pollen effects your seasonal allergies and what you can do to reduce the impact on your daily life.
What Is Tree Pollen and How Does It Affect You?
Tree pollen comes from the male tree reproductive cell. In the spring, many trees release their pollen into the air to pollinate female flowers. The tiny pollen particles can travel a long distance on the breeze and thus are a common allergen for areas that have a bunch of trees. The pollen itself is not poisonous to most people but can definitely make you have those annoying allergic reactions.
When tree pollen enters your nose, eyes, or lungs, your immune system sees it as a threat. In response, it produces chemicals like histamines that cause symptoms of an allergic reaction. These can include sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing. If you’ve been noticing these symptoms lately, it’s probably because of how the tree pollen effects your seasonal allergies. If you’re suffering from seasonal allergies and your tree is definitely making it worse, we can help you out. Our expert team can safely remove your tree, so your allergy struggles can start to calm down.
Which Trees Are to Blame for Your Seasonal Allergies?
Of course not all trees are the same, with some tree pollen being more impactful than others. These tend to be wind-pollinated trees, which release plenty of pollen that can travel for miles. The most common trees that you need to watch out for include:
- Oak Trees: These are famous for generating a huge amount of pollen, especially in the early spring season. Since their pollen is very fine, that makes them getting into your system a lot easier.
- Birch Trees: Birch trees are another major source of tree pollen allergies. They release their pollen in the spring and are most common in areas with colder climates.
- Maple Trees: These guys are also guilty of release a lot of pollen in the spring. If you’re in an area with a bunch of maple trees, you’re most likely battling your allergies.
- Cedar Trees: Cedar trees are a major cause of seasonal allergies in some areas. Since their pollen is so potent, you can still get effected even from far away.
The pollen of the trees peaks in spring, depending on the type of tree and climatic conditions. Warm, dry days with little wind can make the pollen build up, and windy days will spread a bunch of it through the air.
How Tree Pollen Effects Your Seasonal Allergies Throughout the Day
In the middle of the day you might barely feel your allergy symptoms, but it’s not the same story at the start or end of your day. How tree pollen effects your seasonal allergies are usually worse in the morning and evening, since that’s when their pollen level is peaked. This is the time when tree pollen is released most actively into the air. Wind, temperature, and humidity can all play a part in determining how much pollen is present.
Of course as the day goes on and you spend more time outdoors, the amount of pollen that gets into your system can accumulate and make your allergies worse.
Why You Can’t Avoid Tree Pollen, And What You Can Do About It
One of the most frustrating things about tree pollen is that it’s almost impossible to avoid. Because it’s so small, it can travel far from the tree it came from and even into your home. When it’s in the air, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll run into it, especially if there’s a bunch of trees near you.
Even tough you can’t avoid it, you can still reduce how badly it triggers your allergies. First, avoid going out on high pollen count days. You can check local weather reports or use apps that report current pollen levels. On days that have a lot of pollen, limit how long you’re outside for, especially during the mornings and evenings.
When you do go outside, make sure to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen, and consider wearing a mask if you’re being physically active, which can make you breathe in more pollen. After you come inside, it’s important to wash your hands, face, and change clothes to minimize the pollen you bring indoors. Closing windows and using air purifiers can also reduce the pollen inside your home.
Final Thoughts
Tree pollen is a major contributor to seasonal allergies, and you can feel it right from the beginning of spring till well into the season. By understanding how tree pollen effects your seasonal allergies and by taking steps to minimize exposure, you can reduce allergy season misery. From the simple steps like staying indoors on high-pollen days to the more serious like getting rid of the tree entirely, there are many paths to explore.