Pine Tree “Allergy”

While pine tree allergy is relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees.

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Overview

While pine treeAllergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food." rel="tooltip">allergyis relatively uncommon, there are two main allergens of concern that come from pine trees: pine nuts and pine pollen. Pine nuts (pignoli) are the edible seeds of certain species of pine trees, and are used in a variety of foods, including Italian pesto. Pine nut consumption has increased due to its use in the Mediterranean Diet. Pine pollen is produced when the trees reproduce in the springtime. It is possible for pollen to travel very long distances in the air.

Find expert care with an Allergist.

Don’t let allergies orAsthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People with asthma have acute episodes where the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. Sometimes episodes of asthma are triggered by allergens, although infection, exercise, cold air and other factors are also important triggers." rel="tooltip">asthmahold you.

松花粉过敏是类似于其他花粉allergies, and many people with pine pollen allergy are also allergic to grass pollen. Pine nut allergies are similar to othertree nut allergies, and can cause mild, moderate, and severe allergic responses includinganaphylaxis. Cross-reactivity has been reported between pine nuts and peanuts and between pine nuts and pine pollen.

If you suspect you’re suffering from a pine tree allergy, talk to yourallergist,who can evaluate your symptoms and identify the source of your illness.

Pine tree allergies and Christmas tree allergies are actually separate things. Pine tree allergy would give someone a problem in the springtime. The part of the tree that bothers you is the pollen, and pollen comes in the spring. When we get to Christmas time, the tree pollens are all gone. The things that are on the Christmas trees that bother people are the different types of pollen. The weed pollens actually come in the fall.

阿莱rgist Allen Meadows, MD

Symptoms

Symptoms of pine pollen allergies are much like “hay fever” and typically include:

  • Itchy tearing red eyes
  • Bags under the eyes
  • Runny nose with or without sneezing and congestion
  • Coughing

In some cases pollen may aggravateasthma.

Pine nut allergies are much like other tree nut allergies in that they can cause anaphylactic reactions. Symptoms may vary from mild to severe and include:

  • Tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of the tongue, throat, nose and lips
  • Hives or rash
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and/or vomiting
  • Dizziness and fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Shock and heart failure

If you have an anaphylactic reaction, even if it is mild, treat it because it wont go away. Symptoms include those listed above and:

  • Itchy throat
  • Sneezing
  • Abdominal discomfort

Diagnosis

You should always visit anallergist如果你怀疑你对什么过敏。阿莱rgists will take a detailed history of your reactions to pine nuts or pine pollen, and then may administer tests and recommend appropriate treatment.

The most common method of testing for allergy to pine is to perform a skin prick test. A very small amount of pine pollen or pine nut is placed on the skin, and then the skin is lightly pricked so that a tiny amount goes into the skin. After a period of time the area is examined for redness or other changes that would indicate an allergic sensitivity.

In some cases, blood tests may be conducted to test for reactions to pine. A small amount of blood is taken and tested in the laboratory to see if the antibodies in it respond to the allergen.

In rare cases, pine nutfood allergiescan be “challenged”, where a small amount of food is given under an allergists supervision to observe for a reaction. Due to the risk ofanaphylaxis, food challenges should never be attempted on your own but always done in your allergists office.

Management and Treatment

Pine Nut Allergy Treatment

Any time you suspect a severe allergic reaction, you should seek immediate emergency care. For longer term management, consulting an allergist is important as they can help you recognize the symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe reactions, and give the most appropriate treatment.

Food allergies, including allergies to pine nuts, are best treated by completely avoiding the food. To accomplish this it may be necessary to learn how to read food labels, deal with the potential dangers of restaurants, and be aware of other potential exposure.

The most effective treatment for serious allergic food reactions isEpinephrine is a naturally occurring hormone, also called adrenaline. It is one of two chemicals (the other is norepinephrine) released by the adrenal gland. Epinephrine increases the speed and force of heart beats and thereby the work that can be done by the heart. It dilates the airways to improve breathing and narrows blood vessels in the skin and intestine so that an increased flow of blood reaches the muscles and allows them to cope with the demands of exercise. Epinephrine has been produced synthetically as a drug since 1900. It remains the drug of choice for treatment of anaphylaxis." rel="tooltip">epinephrineinjection. Epinephrine self-administration devices are the first line of defense against anaphylaxis. Severe reactions can occur even in people who have only had relatively mild reactions in the past. Talk to your allergist about the suitability of carrying an epinephrine injector if you, or your child, have a known allergy to pine nuts. If you have been prescribed an epinephrine injector, use it at the first sign of symptoms and then go to the nearest emergency room.

Pine Pollen Allergy Treatment

Pollen allergies can be treated with medication to control the symptoms. Other types of pollen allergies have been treated withImmunotherapy is a form of preventive and anti-inflammatory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, perhaps by causing production of a particular "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substance is encountered in the future." rel="tooltip">immunotherapy, and pine pollen allergies may eventually be treated this way.

While pollen easily travels in the air, some strategies to avoid it can help . Pollen levels are typically highest in the morning (between 5 and 10 am), and when the air is dry, so postponing outdoor activities until the afternoon, or going out after heavy rain, can help. Keeping windows closed to keep pollen out will also help, and avoiding drying clothes on hanging lines will keep them from collecting pollen.

This page was reviewed for accuracy 4/23/2018.