Allergies are caused by a number of factors but most seasonal allergies are predominant in the spring; the reason that spring allergies are more common than other seasonal allergies is because of the high pollen count at this time of year. Many species of trees, grasses and weeds begin to bloom in the spring. However, seasonal allergies occur in the summer and fall seasons too.
How Plants Cause Allergies
Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen; pollens are small, powdery grains, in the shape of an egg, that are released by flowering plants. Insects or weather conditions help to cross-pollinate other plants reproductively. Light dry, pollens that rely on the weather, particularly the wind, to transport them for reproduction purposes are usually the type of pollen that causes seasonal allergies. Plants that are pollinated by insects and birds do not generally cause seasonal allergies as the pollen produced by these plants is waxy and heavier.
Pollen counts are calculated by counting the number of allergens in the air in grains per cubic meter. High pollen counts cause misery for allergy sufferers and induce symptoms such as runny nose, headaches, sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing. Seasonal allergy symptoms last a lot longer than a common cold.
Trees and Spring Allergies
Spring allergies are caused by tree pollen; trees start to produce pollen as early as January, depending on the tree species, location and climate. Tree pollen that causes spring time allergies include:
Grasses and Summer Allergies
Grass pollen usually cause summer allergies, depending on location and climate. Northern grass species that may cause summer allergies include rye, blue grass, orchard and sweet vernal; southern grass species that may cause summer allergies include Bermuda grass. Northern grass species are predominant in colder climates whereas southern grass species are predominant in warmer climates.
Weeds and Fall Allergies
Fall allergies, particularly in the United States, are caused by weed pollen; however, it is not uncommon for some types of tree pollen to cause seasonal allergies in the fall too, depending on location and climate. Types of weed pollen that cause fall allergies include:
- sagebrush
- ragweed
- tumbleweed
Plants and Allergies
The severity of seasonal allergies varies depending on factors such as weather, a person's individual response to different types of pollen and the time of year. Seasonal allergies can cause discomfort and irritation to the sufferer, so if you can identify the type of pollen that you are allergic too, you can try to avoid specific plant species. However, some people are allergic to more than one type of pollen so it maybe difficult to identify one particular plant species as the cause of a seasonal allergy.
References:
- The weather channel website, Types of Allergies: Pollen Allergy, accessed February 7, 2011
- Cleveland Allergy and Asthma Center website, Spring Allergy Questions Answered, accessed February 7, 2011
- University of Alabama Medicine website, Spring Allergy, accessed February 7, 2011
- WebMD website, Spring Allergies, accessed February 7, 2011
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
