Pollen Allergy: Types, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & More

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribeExplore more in Allergies

Related Topics

Types
Types
Related Articles
- Types
- Deodorant
- Cockroach
- Lavender
- Citrus
- Wool
- Drug
- Sulfa
- Perfume
- Polyester
- Grass
- Hair Dye
- Horse
- Insect Sting
- Beer
- Latex Condoms
- Carpet
- Seasonal
- Dog
- Alcohol
- Tea
- Cat
- Iodine
- Mosquito Bite
- Dust Mite
- Atopy
- Ingested vs. Contact vs. Inhaled
- Environmental
- Pollen
- Eye
- Winter
- Latex
- Nickel
- Nightshade
- Morning
- Itchy Eyes
- Ragweed
- Children's
- Essential Oil
- Honey
- Wine
- Yeast
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Plant Allergens
- Fall Allergens
- Beach Allergens
- Airborne Allergens
- Histamine
- Developing Allergies
- Black Mold
Symptoms
Symptoms
Related Articles
- Symptoms
- Drug Allergy Symptoms
- Mold Allergy Symptoms
- Allergic Shiners
- Facial Swelling
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Severe Symptoms
- Constant Runny Nose
- Nasal Congestion
- Itchy Throat
- Tingling Lips
- Itchy Mouth
- Wheezing
- Nasal Crease
- Tickle in Nose
- Dust Mite Rash
- Dizziness
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Related Articles
- Diagnosis
- Home Tests
- Seeing an Allergist
- RAST vs. Skin Test
- Testing for Children
- Skin Prick Test
Treatment
Treatment
Related Articles
- First Aid for Allergic Reaction
- Drops
- Shots
- Treating Hives
- Steroid Shots
- Managing Allergies While Pregnant
- Treating Insect Sting Allergies
- Corticosteroids
- Nasacort vs. Nasonex
- Flonase vs. Nasonex
- Using an EpiPen
- Sudafed
- Nasal Sprays
- Over-the-Counter Sprays
- Claritin for Kids
- Decongestants
- Over-the-Counter Antihistamines
- Zyrtec for Kids
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Home Remedies
- for Children
- Skin Allergy Remedies
- Butterbur
- Bee Pollen
- Neti Pots
- Natural Antihistimines
- Essential Oils
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- CBD
- Foods for Seasonal Allergies
- Vitamin C
- Relieving Stuffy Nose
Prevention
Prevention
Related Articles
- Prevention
- Hypoallergenic Dogs
- Preparing for Outdoor Activities
- Air Purifiers
- Dyson Air Purifiers
- HEPA Air Purifiers
- Hypoallergenic Labels
- Air Filter FAQ
- Personal Air Purifiers
- HEPA Air Filters
- Humidifiers
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Management
- Allergy Apps
- Managing Allergies Outdoors
Complications
Complications
Related Articles
- Complications
- Allergic Bronchitis
- Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Angioedema
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Antihistamine Overdose
- Anaphylaxis
- Allergic Asthma
- Tinnitus
- Nasal Polyps
- Headache
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Dry Eye
- Pink Eye
- Cold
- Ear Infection
- Sinus Infection
- Sore Throat
- COPD
- Histamine Intolerance

Your Guide to Pollen Allergies and Their Treatment

Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — Written by Michael Kerr — Updated on May 26, 2023

Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
When to call a doctor
Takeaway

Key takeaways

Pollen allergies are triggered when the immune system misidentifies pollen as a threat, resulting in a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including sneezing and watery eyes.
Various types of pollen, such as birch, oak, grass, and ragweed, can trigger allergic reactions at different times of the year, with ragweed pollen being particularly potent and capable of traveling long distances.
Managing pollen allergies involves both preventing exposure by monitoring pollen counts and using measures like staying indoors, as well as treating symptoms with over-the-counter medications, allergy shots, and home remedies like saline nasal rinses.

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.

The immune system normally wards off illness by defending the body against harmful intruders, such as viruses and bacteria.

In people with pollen allergies, the immune system mistakenly identifies the harmless pollen as a dangerous intruder. The immune system begins to produce chemicals including histamine to fight against the pollen.

This is known as an allergic reaction, and the specific type of pollen that causes it is known as an allergen. The allergic reaction leads to numerous irritating symptoms, such as sneezing, a stuffy nose, and watery eyes.

Some people have allergy symptoms year-round, while others only have them during certain times of the year. For example, people who are sensitive to birch pollen usually have increased symptoms during the spring when birch trees are in bloom. Similarly, those with ragweed allergies are most affected during the early fall.

Once a person has developed a pollen allergy, it’s unlikely to go away. However, symptoms can be treated with medications and allergy shots. Certain lifestyle changes can also help relieve symptoms.

Read on for our guide to pollen allergies and their treatment.

Did you know?
A pollen allergy may also be referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
According to the National Health Interview Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18.9% of children and 25.7% of adults in the United States had seasonal allergies in 2021.

Types of pollen allergies

There are hundreds of plant species that release pollen into the air and trigger allergic reactions.

Some common culprits are:

birch trees
oak trees
grass
ragweed plants

Birch pollen allergy

Birch pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens during the spring. As birch trees bloom, they release tiny grains of pollen that are scattered by the wind.

A single birch tree can produce 5.5 million pollen grains.

Oak pollen allergy

Like birch trees, oak trees send pollen into the air during the spring.

While oak pollen is considered to be mildly allergenic compared to the pollen of other trees, it stays in the air for longer periods of time. This can cause severe allergic reactions in some people with pollen allergies.

Grass pollen allergy

Grass is the primary trigger of pollen allergies during the spring and summer months.

There are many types of grass. Only a few of them, such as perennial rye, Bermuda grass and bluegrass, are capable of triggering allergies.

Ragweed pollen allergy

Ragweed plants are the weeds most likely to cause allergies. One plant can produce nearly 1 billion grains of pollen.

They’re the most active during the early fall months. Depending on the location, however, ragweed may begin spreading its pollen as early as August and continue into November.

The wind-driven pollen can travel hundreds of miles and survive through a mild winter.

Pollen allergy symptoms

Pollen allergy symptoms most often include:

sinus pressure, which may cause facial pain
runny nose
nasal congestion
itchy, watery eyes
sore throat
cough
swollen, bluish skin beneath the eyes
decreased sense of taste or smell
increased asthmatic reactions

Causes of a pollen allergy

Pollen allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly identifies pollen as a dangerous substance.

It’s unclear what causes any type of allergy, including a pollen allergy. Experts believe that genetics may play a role.

Diagnosis of a pollen allergy

A primary care physician can usually diagnose a pollen allergy. However, they may refer you to an allergist for allergy testing to confirm the diagnosis. An allergist is someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies.

Allergy testing usually involves these steps:

You’ll be asked about your medical history and symptoms — including when they started, how long they’ve persisted, and whether they are always present or get better or worse at certain times of the year.
They will then perform a skin prick test to determine the specific allergen that’s causing your symptoms. During the procedure, they will prick different areas of the skin and insert a small amount of various types of allergens.
If you’re allergic to any of the substances, you’ll develop redness, swelling, and itchiness at the site within 15 to 20 minutes. You might also see a raised, round area that looks like hives.
Allergy testing can also be performed through bloodwork.

»MORE:Get an evaluation for seasonal allergies in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Pollen allergy treatment

If you still experience symptoms despite taking preventive measures, there are treatments that may help.

Medications

Several over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications are available, including:

antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), or fexofenadine (Allegra)
decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline (Afrin)
medications that combine an antihistamine and a decongestant, such as fexofenadine/pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D) and loratadine/pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)

Allergy shots

Allergy shots may be recommended if medications are not enough to ease your symptoms.

Allergy shots are a form of immunotherapy. You receive a series of injections of the allergen. The amount of allergen in the shot gradually increases over time.

The shots modify your immune system’s response to the allergen, helping to reduce the severity of your allergic reactions. You may experience complete relief 1 year after starting allergy shots, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Treatment may continue for a total of 3 to 5 years.

Allergy shots are not recommended for children younger than 5 years old.

Home remedies

A number of home remedies may also help relieve pollen allergy symptoms.

These include:

using a squeeze bottle or neti pot to flush pollen from the nose
trying herbs and extracts, such as PA-free butterbur (which does not contain toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids) or spirulina
removing and washing any clothing that’s been worn outside
drying clothes in a dryer rather than outside on a clothing line
using air conditioning in cars and homes
investing in a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or dehumidifier
vacuuming regularly with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter

The best air purifiers

Check out our reviews of the best high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers.

How to prevent pollen allergies

As with other allergies, the best way to prevent symptoms of a pollen allergy is to avoid the allergen.

Pollen is difficult to avoid, though. Still, you may be able to minimize your exposure to pollen by:

staying indoors on dry, windy days
having others take care of gardening or yard work during peak seasons
wearing a dust mask when pollen counts are high
closing doors and windows when pollen counts are high

To find out the pollen counts in your area, check an app or the weather section of your local newspaper.

When to call a doctor

Tell your doctor if your symptoms become more severe or if your allergy medications are causing unwanted side effects.

Also, consult your doctor before trying any new herbs or supplements. Some can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications.

Takeaway

Pollen allergies can interrupt your everyday activities by causing sneezing, a stuffy nose, and watery eyes. Lifestyle changes and medications can help reduce these symptoms.

Avoiding the trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds that trigger your allergies is a good first step. 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 pollen.

Medications or allergy shots can also help reduce symptoms.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Allergies and hay fever. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/allergies.htm
Allergies and pollen. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/allergen.htm
Allergy facts. (n.d.).https://acaai.org/allergies/allergies-101/facts-stats
Allergy shots (immunotherapy). (2020).https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/allergy-shots-(immunotherapy)
Butterbur. (2020).https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/butterbur
Ragweed plants packed with pollen. (2020).https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/ragweed
SLIT treatment for allergic rhinitis nothing to sneeze about. (n.d.).https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Conditions-Library/Allergies/SLIT-Treatment-for-Allergic-Rhinitis-Nothing-to-Sn
Ziemianin M, et al. (2021). Changes in qualitative and quantitative traits of birch (Betula pendula) pollen allergenic proteins in relation to the pollution contamination.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-13483-8

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI — Written by Michael Kerr — Updated on May 26, 2023

Tag » How Long Does The Pollen Last

Related Topics

Types

Related Articles

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Symptoms

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Prevention

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Complications

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

Key takeaways

Types of pollen allergies

Birch pollen allergy

Oak pollen allergy

Grass pollen allergy

Ragweed pollen allergy

Pollen allergy symptoms

Causes of a pollen allergy

Diagnosis of a pollen allergy

Pollen allergy treatment

Medications

Allergy shots

Home remedies

The best air purifiers

How to prevent pollen allergies

When to call a doctor

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Contact