Are birch trees bad for allergies?

Birch trees are known for their tall, thin trunks and white bark. But did you know they trigger a lot of allergy symptoms for much of the population each spring? These allergy symptoms can range from nasal symptoms, like sneezing and a stuffy nose, to the lesser-known oral allergy syndrome (OAS).

Is birch a common allergy?

Summary. One of the most common tree type pollens found in Central and Northern Europe is the pollen from the birch tree of Betulaceae family. It is one most common tree species of Europe producing pollen allergen.

How long is birch allergy season?

Typically, tree or birch pollen season starts in late April or early May and lasts about two to four weeks in total, according to Anne Ellis, professor of medicine and chair of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.

How do you get rid of birch pollen allergy?

Treatments for pollen allergies include:

1. Over-the-counter antihistamine medications, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin).
2. Immunotherapy tablets or shots to desensitize the body to pollen.
3. Nasal sprays designed to relieve the itching and congestion.

What causes birch tree allergy?

Common plant foods involved in OAS for birch include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, such as apple, cherry, peach, hazel nut, peanut, carrot, celery, soy, strawberry, and many more. Knowing the proteins, or components, within each allergen that are triggering your symptoms can help guide your management plan.

What time of day is birch pollen highest?

Pollen counts are highest in the morning and again at night, so if you need to go outside, try to do it when counts are low. Know which pollen you’re allergic to, and respond accordingly. When it comes to seasonal allergies, it’s important to know exactly what you’re allergic to so you can take appropriate action.

What is a birch allergy?

Oral Allergy Syndrome, also known as Pollen Allergy Syndrome is usually caused when people are allergic to the pollen of the birch tree. People who suffer from Oral Allergy Syndrome get itching in their mouth, tingling and even symptoms of throat swelling after eating a number of foods, usually raw fruits and nuts.

How do you test for birch allergy?

This IgE antibody allergy test uses a blood sample to determine if you are allergic to Birch (Common Silver) Trees and their pollen. In North America, Common Silver Birch blooms early in spring and occasionally flowers again in late summer or fall. The bloom time is usually short. Birches are wind-pollinated.

What kind of allergies are associated with birch trees?

Other respiratory allergens that may cause reactions associated with birch pollen allergy include grass pollen and alder, hazel, beech, and oak pollen. 7 If you experience an itchy mouth or throat after eating fresh fruit or raw vegetables, you may suffer from oral allergy syndrome (OAS), sometimes called pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS).

Where can I get birch pollen allergy treatment?

Birch pollen allergy : a common seasonal allergy. Birch trees are common in Canada, the Eastern US and Scandinavia. Birch pollen allergy is a major cause of seasonal allergies in Canada, particularly in the eastern provinces.

Are there any foods that cross react with birch pollen?

But you may not react to every food on the list. Here are foods that cross-react with a birch pollen allergy: If you do not have symptoms when eating birch-related fruits and vegetables, you may continue to eat them as tolerated. If you have severe OAS symptoms, you should discuss this with an allergist.

When does a birch tree release its pollen?

Birch trees release their pollen between January to April, depending on where they grow. And birch trees grow throughout most of the United States, so they are hard to avoid.