What Is a Plant Allergy?
A plant allergy — also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever — is an allergic reaction triggered by plants and the pollen they release. Symptoms resemble those of a cold and can be seasonal (occurring during specific blooming periods) or perennial (year-round).
Different individuals react to different plant triggers. Some are most sensitive to spring tree pollen, while others react primarily to summer grasses or fall ragweed. Identifying your specific triggers is key to effective prevention and management.
Symptoms
Common plant allergy and hay fever symptoms include:
- Irritated, red, itchy, or watery eyes
- Sneezing and coughing
- Nasal congestion and runny nose
- Puffy, bruised-looking skin under the eyes
- Fatigue
When to See a Doctor
Contact Dr. Zoeteman if your allergic rhinitis significantly impacts your ability to work or carry out daily activities. Patients with asthma should also be evaluated, as hay fever can worsen asthma symptoms.
Causes
Plant allergies occur when the immune system identifies pollen or plant proteins as harmful and mounts an inflammatory response — similar to how it would react to a viral infection. This overzealous reaction causes the hallmark symptoms of hay fever.
Diagnosis & Tests
- Skin allergy test — plant-specific allergen samples applied to the skin
- Blood test measuring IgE antibodies to specific plant allergens
- Symptom diary and medical history review
Treatment Options
- Allergy immunotherapy — a long-term treatment that desensitizes the immune system to specific plant allergens, often allowing patients to reduce or discontinue regular allergy medications
- Antihistamines and decongestants for daily symptom control
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays
- Nasal rinse to remove allergens from nasal passages
Prevention
Limiting exposure to offending plants is the most effective prevention. Monitoring local pollen counts, keeping windows closed during high-pollen periods, and showering before bed to remove pollen from hair can all reduce exposure and minimize symptoms.