You can find a lot of people these days affected by one or other kind of allergy. Pollen allergy is one of the most common among these. Actually, allergies are an over-reaction of human immune system to substances which are generally not harmful. The human immune system is designed to give signals and defend the body when it comes in contact with something which is harmful. But in case of allergies, it mistakenly considers harmless substances as harmful and raises a false alarm by starting an allergic reaction. These allergic reactions can be anything ranging from a mild discomfort to severe and fatal ones.

Plants and trees, in the process of fertilization, leave pollen grains into the atmosphere in particular seasons. These pollen grains are very tiny, circular or oval shaped grains and when left by plants and trees, they become airborne. These pollen grains then reach to other plants and trees through air and several other mediums like through animals, people etc. and fertilize them. Since these grains become airborne, they also reach our bodies through inhalation and for some people it results in starting an allergic reaction which is termed as pollen allergy. The effect and severity of symptoms of pollen allergy may be different on different people.

Our immune system has a defense mechanism against the foreign elements that cause problems for us. The immune system recognizes the presence of these substances in the body and releases a protective protein referred to as antibodies to fight with it. These antibodies are also called as immuno-globulins (IgA, IgG, IgM or IgD) and they are protective in nature. They attach to the foreign substances and destroy it. However, for a person who has pollen allergy, his immune system considers the pollen grains as foreign invaders and releases an antibody called IgE to fight with it. This IgE attaches to the pollen grains and react with them causing cells to produce chemicals like histamine, which cause inflammation in the body.

The allergic reaction caused by pollen grains result in allergic rhinitis. The reaction is more commonly known as hay fever or rose fever depending on the season in which the patient gets affected. Allergic rhinitis may be both seasonal and perennial. The seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by pollen grains, whereas, the perennial one is caused mostly by indoor allergens. It’s symptoms are similar to the common cold but common cold gets better quickly, whereas, the allergy caused by pollen grains can last for the whole season. The typical symptoms include runny nose, watering eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, itchy throat and eyes etc. Pollen grains can also cause asthma or make it worse in a patient already affected by it, sinus infection or ear infection.

If you are suffering from such symptoms and are not sure of what may be causing it, you must visit your physician who may conduct some tests and find out if you have pollen allergy and what exactly is causing you the whole problem. Once you are sure that you are affected by it, he may suggest you some ways on how to avoid the pollen grains because the key thing in the treatment of allergies is being informed and avoiding the allergens which are causing it.