Pollen is a very fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilize other plants of the same species. It’s also one of the most common causes of allergies in the United States. Many people have an adverse immune response when they breathe in pollen.
What type of tree produces the most pollen?
- Springtime: Willow, oak, hickory, juniper, mulberry and maple
- Summer: Walnut, mulberry and willow
- Fall: Groundsel tree
- Winter: Ash, willow and mulberry
Which allergy medicine is best for tree pollen?
Which allergy medicine is best for tree pollen? Recommended treatment for pollen allergies includes: over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines such as Allegra, Benadryl, or Clarinex; decongestants like Sudafed; nasal steroids like Beconase, Flonase, or Veramyst; and drugs that combine antihistamines and decongestants like Allegra-D ...
What are some symptoms of tree pollen allergies?
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Watery, runny nose
- An itchy nose
- Watery eyes
What is the pollen used for?
Pollen in plants is used for transferring haploid male genetic material from the anther of a single flower to the stigma of another in cross-pollination. In a case of self-pollination, this process takes place from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower. Pollen is infrequently used as food and food supplement.
What kind of trees make pollen?
The most prevalent types of tree pollen producers in the United States are:Pine Trees. These evergreen trees produce high levels of pollen that are often visible on outdoor surfaces. ... Oak Trees. ... Juniper Trees. ... Mulberry Trees. ... Palm Trees.
What is considered pollen?
Pollen is a very fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilize other plants of the same species. It's also one of the most common causes of allergies in the United States. Many people have an adverse immune response when they breathe in pollen.
What plants are pollen?
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: “Pollen.” Pollen.com: “Bermuda Grass,” “Juniper,” “Blue Grass,” “Nettle,” “Ragweed,” “Sagebrush,” “Tumbleweed,” “Lamb's Quarters,” “Walnut,” “English Plantain,” “Pine,” “Cottonwood, Poplar.”
What is tree pollen made of?
Each microscopic pollen grain contains the male genetic material of the tree. A pollen grain has a hard outer shell to protect the precious genetic material inside during transport from one tree to another. Pollen is produced in the male pollen cones of conifers.
Is pollen harmful to humans?
What health problems can pollen cause? For people with hay fever, also known as “allergic rhinitis,” breathing in pollen can cause sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose. Pollen exposure can also result in “allergic conjunctivitis” in some individuals, causing red, watery, or itchy eyes.
Can pollen make you sick?
Allergies to pollen commonly cause symptoms of hay fever including: runny, itchy, congested nose. sneezing. irritable, itchy, watery and red eyes.
Why is pollen so important?
In order to reproduce, plants need to be pollinated, and this is the reason that they produce pollen. Without pollination, plants will not produce seeds or fruit, and the next generation of plants. For us humans, pollination is so important because it is how food is produced.
Does pollen contain sperm?
There is no sperm present in a pollen grain. A pollen grain is a tiny male plant, a male gametophyte (gamete-forming plant). He is a multicellular organism (usually two cells in flowering plants, but more in the case of gymnosperm pollen) capable of producing sperm if he gets an opportunity.
Is pollen a seed?
Pollens are very different from seeds because they are fine and powdery. They contain the microgametophytes or the gametes (comparable to the sperm cells) of seed plants. Like ordinary seeds, pollens can also have a hard coating for the pollen grain to provide protection during movement (pollination).
Is pollen just from flowers?
Most of the pollen that causes allergic reactions comes from plants that don't have showy flowers, such as trees, weeds, and grasses. These plants make small, light, and dry pollen grains that are made to be carried by wind.
How is pollen created?
Pollen grains are created through the process of meiosis, during which cells divide and grow in number. The grains of pollen are often located in pollen sacs on the ends of the stamen (the male parts of the flower), which typically surround the carpel (the female parts of the flower).
Where is the pollen come from?
anthersPollen is produced by cone-bearing and flowering plants as part of their reproduction process. In cone-bearing (gymnosperms) plants, pollen is produced in pollen cones. Flowering plants (angiosperms) produce pollen in the anthers within the flower.
How do I know if I have pollen allergies?
Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea – this is typically a clear, thin nasal discharge) Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion – one of the most common and troublesome symptoms) Sneezing. Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth.
When is the pollen season?
An allergy is a condition which manifests as an exaggerated defence reaction of the body to allergens. Blooming seasons are generally between December and October. Climatic and regional factors influence the blooming seasons, just as they do the pollen count and aggressiveness of the pollen.
How do you get rid of pollen?
Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. Avoid lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens. Remove clothes you've worn outside and shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
What are the symptoms of pollen allergy?
SymptomsRunny nose and nasal stuffiness (congestion)Watery, itchy, red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)Sneezing.Cough.Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.Mucus that runs down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)Swollen, bruised-appearing skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)More items...•
How to get rid of a tree that is allergic to pollen?
Remove trigger trees. If one in your yard clearly causes symptoms, prune back the branches to reduce the amount of pollen it releases. You could also take it out and replace it with one that’s less likely to cause allergies, like apple, cherry, dogwood, fir, or pine trees.
What trees are pollen sensitive?
Mountain elder. Mulberry. Oak. Pecan. Willow. People with tree pollen allergies sometimes assume that trees with colorful flowers -- like apple or cherry trees -- will trigger their symptoms. But flowering trees usually have bigger, stickier pollen that doesn't blow in the wind or cause symptoms.
What trees are most likely to trigger allergies?
The wind can carry them for miles. Inhaling even small amounts can trigger allergy symptoms. Trees that often set off allergies include: Ash. Aspen. Beech. Birch.
How to avoid pollen?
It’s simple: Stay inside when pollen counts are high. Keep your windows shut. If you are going outside wear a baseball cap, and when you come in, rinse your face (including eyebrows and nostrils) and wash your hands -- and you may even want to change your clothes.
How to manage allergies?
It's important to know which trees trigger your allergies. Once you do, you can figure out how to minimize your exposure to their pollen. Avoid contact. It’s simple: Stay inside when pollen counts are high. Keep your windows shut.
Can tree pollen be powdery?
Tree pollens that trigger allergies tend to be very fine and powdery. The wind can carry them for miles.
Why is pollen used in plants?
Pollen in plants is used for transferring haploid male genetic material from the anther of a single flower to the stigma of another in cross-pollination. In a case of self-pollination, this process takes place from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower. Pollen is infrequently used as food and food supplement.
Where does pollen grow in a plant?
A pollen tube is produced, which grows into the nucellus to provide nutrients for the developing sperm cells.
What happens when pollen lands on a female cone?
If pollen lands on a compatible pistil or female cone, it germinates, producing a pollen tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule containing the female gametophyte. Individual pollen grains are small enough to require magnification to see detail.
Why are pollen seasons longer?
Since 1990, pollen seasons have gotten longer and more pollen-filled, and climate change is responsible, according to a new study. The researchers attributed roughly half of the lengthening pollen seasons and 8% of the trend in pollen concentrations to climate changes driven by human activity.
What is pollen used for?
If pollen lands on a compatible pistil or female cone, it germinates, producing a pollen tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule containing the female gametophyte. Individual pollen grains are small enough to require magnification to see detail. The study of pollen is called palynology and is highly useful in paleoecology, paleontology, archaeology, and forensics. Pollen in plants is used for transferring haploid male genetic material from the anther of a single flower to the stigma of another in cross-pollination. In a case of self-pollination, this process takes place from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower.
How big is corn pollen?
Corn pollen grains are large, about 90–100 µm. Most grass pollen is around 20-25 µm. Pollen microspores of Lycopersicon esculentum at coenocytic tetrad stage of development observed through oil immersion microscope; the chromosomes of what will become four pollen grains can be seen. In angiosperms, during flower development ...
Where is pollen produced?
Pollen is produced in the microsporangia in the male cone of a conifer or other gymnosperm or in the anthers of an angiosperm flower. Pollen grains come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and surface markings characteristic of the species (see electron micrograph, right). Pollen grains of pines, firs, and spruces are winged.
What is pollen allergy?
What is a pollen allergy? Pollen is one of the most common causes of allergies in the United States. Pollen is a very fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilize other plants of the same species. Many people have an adverse immune response when they breathe in pollen. The immune system normally defends ...
Why is pollen dangerous?
In people with pollen allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies the harmless pollen as a dangerous intruder. It begins to produce chemicals to fight against the pollen.
What is an allergist?
An allergist is someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies. The allergist will first ask you about your medical history and your symptoms, including when they started and how long they’ve persisted.
What to do when pollen counts are high?
having others take care of any gardening or yard work during peak seasons. wearing a dust mask when pollen counts are high (check the internet or the weather section of the local newspaper) closing doors and windows when pollen counts are high.
How to reduce pollen levels?
You can do this by staying indoors when pollen levels are high, especially on windy days, or by wearing a dust mask to avoid breathing in the pollen. Medications, both prescription and OTC, can also help reduce symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend immunology (allergy shots). Last medically reviewed on May 8, 2018.
Is birch pollen an allergen?
Birch pollen allergy. Birch pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens during the spring. As the trees bloom, they release tiny grains of pollen that are scattered by the wind. A single birch tree can produce up to 5 million pollen grains, with many traveling distances of up to 100 yards from the parent tree.
Do oak trees pollinate in spring?
Like birch trees, oak trees send pollen into the air during the spring.
How to get through tree pollen season?
Allergy sufferers can make it through tree pollen season with a minimum of discomfort by following some common sense suggestions. Minimize outdoor activity between 5 and 10 a.m., as morning is the time when pollen counts are usually the highest. Keep the house and car windows closed and use air conditioning to stay cool. But you don't have to stay inside all the time either.
How much more exposure to pollen from a tree?
Remember, a pollen-producing tree or shrub next to a home can create ten times more exposure than a tree or shrub one or more houses away. Get those high-risk trees away from your home.
What test can you use to determine if you have pollen allergies?
Allergy skin testing: Using the scratch or blood test for allergies can help you determine what type of pollen allergies you have.
What is the worst tree to live around?
If you select a male plant you will have problems. From an allergy perspective, the worst trees you can live around are dioecious males, which will bear only pollen and no fruit or seed. The best plants in your environment are dioecious females as they bear no pollen and are allergen-free. Trees to avoid are male ash, pine, oak, sycamore, elm, male ...
Why do trees use wind?
A large number of tree species produce extremely small pollen particles from their male sexual parts. These trees use the wind as their favorite means of pollen transport to others of their own species for pollination. This pollination leads to the procreation of new trees. That's a good thing.
What is a perfect flower?
A perfect flower is one that has both male and female parts in a single flower — not just male and female parts on the same tree. Perfectly flowered trees include crabapple, cherry, dogwood, magnolia, and redbud. Trees that are considered to cause fewer allergy problems are:
What trees have male and female flowers?
"Dioecious" tree species bear male and female flowers on separate plants. Dioecious trees include ash, boxelder, cedar, cottonwood, juniper, mulberry, and yew. If you select a male plant you will have problems.
What Is Tree Pollen?
Tree pollen is a powdery substance that trees use to fertilize themselves and other trees. Plants have both female and male reproductive systems. Pollen contains the male reproductive cells (or gametes). For the tree to be able to reproduce by making fruit or seeds, the pollen needs to come into contact with female tree systems. 1
How to diagnose tree pollen allergies?
To get a definitive diagnosis of tree pollen allergies, you’ll need to see a doctor. They can make a diagnosis through allergy testing. 3
What is it called when you have allergies to pollen?
Pollen allergies (also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis) can put a damper on a beautiful spring day. If you have allergies, the change of seasons may usher in congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and sinus pressure.
How to get rid of hay fever from tree pollen?
If you know you are allergic to tree pollen, start taking allergy medication in the weeks leading up to the time your allergies usually start. Getting ahead of your reaction will help you manage your hay fever symptoms.
When do tree pollen allergies peak?
Tree pollen allergies can last throughout the pollen season, which peaks in the spring. However, people with severe tree pollen allergies can also experience symptoms from eating foods that have been exposed to pollen, like apples and other fruits.
What is the connection between plants and the wind?
In some plants, the connection is made by pollinators—for example, flowers and bees. Other plants, like some trees, rely on the wind to be pollinated.
Can pollen cause hay fever?
If the pollen lands in your eyes, nose, or respiratory system, it can also cause hay fever.
Overview
Structure and formation
- In recent years, NIEHS-funded studies have explored the effects of a changing climate on the production of pollen. 1. Higher pollen counts – Changes in climate may result in higher pollen counts. The annual average of daily airborne pollen amounts increased 46% between 1994-2000 and 2001-2010.4 2. Longer pollen season – A warming climate lengthened...
Pollination
In the fossil record
Pollen is a powdery substance produced by seed plants. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophytes during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants, or from the male cone to the female cone of gymnospe…
Allergy to pollen
Pollen itself is not the male gamete. It is a gametophyte, something that could be considered an entire organism, which then produces the male gamete. Each pollen grain contains vegetative (non-reproductive) cells (only a single cell in most flowering plants but several in other seed plants) and a generative (reproductive) cell. In flowering plants the vegetative tube cell produces the pol…
Nutrition
The transfer of pollen grains to the female reproductive structure (pistil in angiosperms) is called pollination. This transfer can be mediated by the wind, in which case the plant is described as anemophilous (literally wind-loving). Anemophilous plants typically produce great quantities of very lightweight pollen grains, sometimes with air-sacs. Non-flowering seed plants (e.g., pine tr…
Forensic palynology
The sporopollenin outer sheath of pollen grains affords them some resistance to the rigours of the fossilisation process that destroy weaker objects; it is also produced in huge quantities. There is an extensive fossil record of pollen grains, often disassociated from their parent plant. The discipline of palynology is devoted to the study of pollen, which can be used both for biostratigraphy and to gain information about the abundance and variety of plants alive — which …
Spiritual purposes
Nasal allergy to pollen is called pollinosis, and allergy specifically to grass pollen is called hay fever. Generally, pollens that cause allergies are those of anemophilous plants (pollen is dispersed by air currents.) Such plants produce large quantities of lightweight pollen (because wind dispersal is random and the likelihood of one pollen grain landing on another flower is small), which can be carried for great distances and are easily inhaled, bringing it into contact with the sensitive nasa…