What is pollen allergy and what are typical pollen allergy symptoms?

Pollen allergy symptoms can spoil your day, week, even month – year after year. And no one should have to put up with that. So we’ve made this guide to help you manage your allergies better, whether they’re caused by tree , grass or weed pollen. You’ll find information on the causes and common symptoms, as well as treatment options. We've got tips on avoiding the allergen too.

What is pollen allergy?

Pollen is the fine powder that plants release to fertilize other plants of the same species. Insects, birds and many types of animals carry it from flower to flower. The tiny particles also travel on the wind. People with pollen allergies react when they breathe them in.

So why is that? Well, the immune system mistakes the harmless dust for something dangerous. It tries to get rid of it from your body. This leads to pollen allergy symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose and watery eyes.

Pollen allergy symptoms

People don't tend to talk about pollen allergy, at least not in everyday conversation. It's better known as hay fever . They're not exactly the same thing. Allergy is the root cause; hay fever is the effect and the medical name is seasonal allergic rhinitis. Pollen allergy can give you all these different symptoms:

• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose, usually with clear fluid
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, palate and throat
• Post-nasal drip (the feeling of mucus moving down the back of your throat)
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Cough
• Tight chest or wheezing
• Tiredness

Bright colorful flowers with waxy pollen are not usually a problem. It’s the microscopic grains released by trees, grasses and weeds that tend to cause allergic reactions.

Pollen allergy symptoms and food

Some people with pollen allergy may get a mild reaction in their mouth, throat, lips or face when they eat certain foods. For instance watermelon could make your mouth tingle if you're allergic to ragweed pollen.

This is because proteins in the food resemble the allergens in your trigger pollen. It's called pollen food syndrome or oral allergy syndrome. Symptoms are bothersome but rarely serious. However, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about any symptoms, however mild, if they’re linked to something you’ve eaten – especially nuts. It could be more serious food allergy.

How could pollen allergy symptoms affect my life?

Many people find pollen season a very tricky time of year. Allergic rhinitis can make it hard to get a good night's sleep, leaving you feeling drained the next day. You may find it hard to concentrate whether you're at school, college or at work. Severe pollen allergy symptoms may mean you have to take time off and they can affect your emotional and mental health.

Which plants cause pollen allergy symptoms?

Bright colorful flowers with waxy pollen are not usually a problem. It’s the microscopic grains released by trees, grasses and weeds that tend to cause allergic reactions. Here a few of the common causes of pollen allergy symptoms.

• Grass pollen: common meadow grass, meadow foxtail, sweet vernal grass, soft brome, false oat-grass, cocksfoot, canary grass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass
• Tree pollen: alder, ash, birch, cedar, cottonwood, elm, oak
• Weed pollen: ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, lamb’s quarters and tumbleweed

Our pollen allergy app

Put our smiley icon on your homescreen. It’s a smart way to manage hay fever, with up-to-date pollen info for where you are and tips tailored to you.

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Airborne pollen can travel great distances too. Scientists have found it more than 400 miles out at sea and 2 miles up in the air. And a single plant can release millions of grains in a day. Read more about different types of pollen here.

How long do pollen allergies last?

When you get pollen allergy symptoms and for how long will vary depending on the pollen season for your problem plant in your region. Trees tend to flower in spring so you could be sneezing soon after winter lifts if you have tree pollen allergy. Grass pollen allergy is at its peak in summer, possibly spoiling picnics, outdoor sports and more. Fall is when weed pollen allergy strikes.

Cold winters usually mean a later start; a warm wet spring can speed things up. Meanwhile the further north you go the shorter the pollen season. Pollen counts are also usually lower in towns than in the countryside, and on the coast compared to inland.

How do I know if I have any pollen allergies?

Only your healthcare provider can tell you for sure. These are seasonal allergies so a stuffy nose all year round is unlikely to be pollen. How fast your symptoms develop is important too and how long they last. A cold usually builds up over a few days and lasts about a week; pollen allergy symptoms flare up fast and drag on. Read more about the difference between allergies and a cold.

Your healthcare provider will want to know if anyone else in your family has an allergy as it tends to be hereditary. They may also suggest an allergy test to help make the diagnosis.

What you need to know
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How is a pollen allergy diagnosed?

Guessing what you're allergic to won't get your pollen allergy symptoms sorted. Your healthcare provider will interpret any test results and take it from there .

Your healthcare provider might arrange a skin prick test ;. There are also blood tests that look for Immunoglobulin E (IgE); antibodies produced by your immune system in reaction to specific allergens.

Tips for people with pollen allergy symptoms

There are three main ways to help manage your pollen allergy symptoms:

• Avoid your allergen
• Treat acute symptoms
• Opt for long term relief

You can mix and match between these and find the combination that works for you. Let’s start with avoidance.

Pollen allergy:
Tackle the cause

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Check the pollen info

Every day your most useful tool is likely to be the pollen count, which you can check daily in our app. This tells you how much pollen is in the air. It might be better to stay home whenever pollen counts are high. But everyone reacts in a different way. You may feel fine despite a high pollen count or get pollen allergy symptoms on a day with a low count.  

Our app has a way to deal with that. Log how you're feeling each day. The smiley on the homescreen will adapt to show you a personalized pollen score. It has a pollen calendar too which will show you when your problem plant usually flowers. That’ll help you plan ahead.

Lovely weather for pollen allergy symptoms

Wind, humidity and rain are the most important factors affecting the amount of pollen in the air. For example, pollen counts tend to go up on dry windy days. Many people will prefer to say no to meeting friends on a sunny afternoon in the park. If you do go out, it's a good idea to take any allergy medication before leaving the house (more below). These three things may also help to keep pollen allergy symptoms at bay:

• Wrap-around sunglasses
• Face mask
• Wide-brimmed hat

6 ways to avoid pollen allergy symptoms at home

Managing your pollen allergies might become easier when you keep your home as free of all pollens as possible. Here are some tips to try:

• Keep windows and doors closed whenever you can
• Air the house only when the pollen count is low
• Think about putting in air conditioning or using special air purifiers
• Wash your hair before bed and leave your clothes outside your bedroom
• Don't dry laundry outside – use a tumble dryer or hang it up inside
• Pets can pick up pollen and shouldn’t sleep in your bedroom

Medications for pollen allergy symptoms

Antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays and decongestants can all relieve pollen allergy symptoms. You shouldn't use decongestants for more than a few days in a row though. Many types of allergy meds are available over the counter but certain medications need a prescription. You may also be able to start taking them before your pollen season starts as a preventative measure. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if this could help reduce your symptoms.

A saline nasal rinse can ease irritation and allergy symptoms. It flushes allergens out of your nose and is drug-free so you can use it alongside your usual medication.

Allergy immunotherapy

Are you having trouble keeping your seasonal allergies under control? Sometimes it's impossible to avoid your triggers all the time. Or it could be that symptomatic medication has stopped working for you. If so, it could be time to see an allergist who may suggest immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of your allergy. Controlled repeated exposure to the allergens helps your body to build up tolerance. The aim is that you stop reacting to it, bringing long term relief. There are possible side effects, as with many medications. Your allergist can talk you through the pros and cons.