Posted on September 2, 2009 in Latest News
Oak allergy is an allergy to the oak pollen. The oak tree can produce large amounts of pollen. The oak pollen are lightweight and can travel long distances as carried by the wind. When these pollen enter the nose or sinus, they trigger an allergic reaction. Oak allergy is usually occurs during the early spring and is a type of pollen allergy.
Other trees which cause pollen allergies are birch, cedar, maple, sycamore, cypress.
Symptoms of Oak allergy:
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes
- Nasal congestion, runny nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
How to prevent Oak allergy?
- Stay indoors when the pollen count is high. Minimize activity between 10 am to 5 pm
- Keep the windows and doors shut to prevent the entry of oak pollen. Use an air-conditioner to keep your home cool
- Use air filters which are HEPA enabled. These can keep the indoor air clean. Also clean your air filters regularly
- Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the pollen
- Set aside your clothes after coming from outdoors as they can contain pollen. You can also wash your hair to get rid of the pollen
- Use an allergy mask when you go outdoors
Treating Oak Allergy:
Over-the-counter antihistamines can be useful to treat allergy symptoms. You can also use decongestants to get rid of the nasal congestion. Allergy shots or immunotherapy is a long-term option for treating pollen allergies. This treatment involves injecting small amount of allergen over a period of time. Gradually, your immune system would be desensitized and you would be able to overcome allergies.
If you are experiencing allergy symptoms and do not know if you have allergy, do consult your allergist. He/she can conduct allergy tests such as blood test or skin prick test to know if you have oak allergies.
We cannot escape from oak pollen. However, by taking certain precautions and treatments, we can prevent the oak allergy from interfering with our day-to-day activities.
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