Oak allergy is an allergy to oak pollen. The oak tree can produce large amounts of pollen. Oak pollen are lightweight and can travel long distances as they are carried by the wind. When these pollen enter the nose or sinus, they trigger an allergic reaction. Oak allergy usually occurs during early spring and is a type of pollen allergy.
Other trees which cause pollen allergies are birch, cedar, maple, sycamore and 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 nasal congestion. Allergy shots or immunotherapy are long-term options for treating pollen allergies. This treatment involves injecting a small amount of allergen over a period of time. Gradually, your immune system would be desensitized and you would be able to overcome the allergy.
If you are experiencing allergy symptoms and do not know if you have an 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 oak allergy from interfering with our day-to-day activities.
Oak Pollen Allergy Relief:
Clean Exposed Surfaces:
A certain amount of exposure to oak pollen cannot be avoided. Therefore, when you come back indoors, wash your hands, face and eyes. Then, rinse your nose with saline solution by using a neti pot, available in many natural food shops. Rinsing out most of the pollen in the nasal passages can definitely provide a lot of relief from allergy.
Medications for Oak Pollen Allergy:
The most common medications are corticosteroids, antihistamines and decongestants. However, these medicines only provide short-term relief and are not long-term solutions.
Herbal Therapies for Oak Pollen Allergy:
Herbal therapies based on traditional Chinese medicine are viable alternatives to pharmaceutical treatments. A good herbal formula can provide instant relief and may even eliminate the allergy with constant long-term use. Moreover, Chinese herbal therapies use multiple herbs, therefore, their efficacy is greater.
