Pollen is a powdery substance that is released by certain plants and trees, especially flowers that helps them reproduce. The pollen is carried by the wind or insects like bees and butterflies that act as an agent for reproduction in plants. But did you know it also acts as an air pollutant?
Pollen is a powdery material discharged from a male flower’s antlers that performs an important role in plant reproduction. Pollination is the process through which pollen is conveyed by various agents. This occurs during the summer, spring, and autumn seasons. The fruits and vegetables we consume were once flowers that were pollinated and grown into fruits or vegetables.
Pollination is the process of transferring pollen grains from one flower to the other or the same flower with the help of insects, wind, or sometimes even water. Two broad categories of plants that reproduce with the help of pollination are:
Angiosperms are flowering plants with reproductive systems in their flowers (seeds enclosed within the ovary). They have a seasonal life cycle and are pollinated by insects, wind, and water. They usually have flat leaves and hardwood. For instance, apple, maple, rose, wheat, and dandelion, among others.
Gymnosperms are non-flowering plants with reproductive systems in their cones (uncovered seeds). They are evergreen and are pollinated primarily by wind. They have needle-like leaves and softwood. For example cypress, pine, yew, spruce, etc.
As discussed above, the wind is the common carrier of pollen grains and can remain suspended in the air for days. When inhaled, a person can experience sneezing, irritation in the eyes and the respiratory tract, runny nose, etc. Some people are more susceptible to these symptoms than others. This is commonly known as ‘pollen allergy’. This can be extremely dangerous for people with respiratory diseases like asthma, as pollen acts as a trigger for asthma.
“An allergen, such as pollen, can cause an asthma attack in someone who has allergic asthma. The frequency of allergic asthma is around 80% in children with asthma and 60% in adults.” – Kenneth Mendez, President, and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Allergic reactions from pollen can range from mild to severe and from person to person. In some cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Inhaling pollen can cause symptoms like:
Sneezing
Irritation
in the nose
Redness and
eye irritation
Scratchy
throat
Chest
tightening
Hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction that can cause the above-mentioned symptoms. Anaphylaxis, triggering of asthma, and many more are life threatening effects of pollen allergies.
If you suffer from pollen allergies, limit your outdoor activities when the pollen count is high. This generally happens between 5 am to 10 am. Other than that, spring months contain the highest pollen count throughout the year.
When you come from outside, take a bath to wash off any pollen on your body. A fresh set of clothes will further help in reducing pollen allergy episodes.
When you experience any symptoms, contact and consult a doctor to prevent any life-threatening allergy attacks.
If you already have allergy asthma, take proper medication as prescribed by your doctor to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.
Keep your windows and doors closed around the pollen season
when pollen levels are at their highest in the air. Pollen can enter your house
and settle on surfaces like carpets, etc. This is dangerous for
asthmatic people who get triggered by allergic asthma.
If you are allergic to pollen, consider purchasing an excellent N-95 mask that can prevent the inhalation of pollen particles. When a proper mask is used effectively and per the recommendations, the risk of pollen allergies is considerably reduced. An N95 anti anti-pollution mask that will not only prevent you from pollen but also other air pollutants that are harmful to your and your loved ones healths’.
