Does your nose itch when spring comes? Interesting facts about pollen

Spring Blossoms

Itchy nose?

Cool facts about pollen

01

Will the big green tree bloom?

Did you know?
Bright peach, pear and rape blossoms do not necessarily cause pollen allergies. Instead, ash trees, plane trees, ailanthus, poplars, willows, elms, paper mulberry trees, cypresses and other trees are more likely to cause pollen allergies...
Wait, you're telling me these big green trees have flowers?! How come?

French plane tree

Elm blossoms

Willow Blossom

Most of the colorful flowers we like are insect-pollinated flowers. They need insects to spread pollen, and the specific operation is to stick the pollen on the insects. In order to achieve the purpose of attracting insects to stick to them *(and also attracting humans)*, insect pollinators spend a lot of effort. The flowers are generally eye-catching and beautiful. Many flowers have nectar glands and emit fragrance. The pollen is also relatively large and sticky, which is easier to be taken away by insects to complete the pollination process.

Large trees of the Salicaceae, Pinaceae, and Cupressaceae families also bloom, and the flowering period in central and southern Hebei is concentrated from March to May, and in the north it is from April to June. In addition to causing you allergies when they bloom, the appearance of their flowers may not necessarily attract your attention. It is more likely that they are noticed because some flowers are not very beautiful* (such as the flowers of poplar trees, as shown below)*

Because they are "wind-pollinated flowers", the pollination process relies on wind transport, so there is really no need to spend time on "appearance". In order to be more easily blown away by the wind* (and more likely to enter your nose)*, the pollen of wind-pollinated flowers is generally small, light, dry, and abundant. It is these small flowers that look inconspicuous but have high pollen production that have become the main cause of the "itchy nose in the spring breeze".

Allergy? Cold? I can't tell the difference!

March to May every year is the peak season for spring pollen allergies.

Can you tell the difference between pollen allergy, the common cold and influenza A?

01

Common cold and influenza

Common cold symptoms include nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headache, and throat discomfort.

Influenza A may also be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as high fever and muscle aches.

02

hay fever

Pollen allergy often manifests as allergic rhinitis.

In addition to nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose, which are similar to those of a cold,

The most common symptom is an itchy nose, which is usually not accompanied by sore throat, fever, muscle aches, etc.

This is the biggest difference from a cold.

In addition, pollen allergies may also cause itchy eyes, ears, throat and even palate.

Some friends may also experience urticaria or conjunctivitis, and severe cases may induce asthma.

Kind tips

When you are allergic to pollen, taking anti-influenza drugs (such as oseltamivir, amantadine, etc.) or "anti-inflammatory drugs" (antibiotics) without authorization is not only ineffective but also harmful to your body. It may even cause drug allergies, which is even more dangerous!

Remember to seek medical help if you are unsure or if symptoms are obvious.

How can people with allergies prevent pollen allergies?

01

When going out, wear a mask and a hat, wear goggles when necessary, wear long sleeves and long pants, try to minimize exposed skin, and apply pollen blocker to your nasal cavity before going out.

02

After returning home, change into clean clothes immediately, rinse your nasal cavity, and wash your face and other exposed skin areas.

03

When opening windows for ventilation and going outdoors, try to avoid times when pollen concentrations are high, such as between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, when the temperature is high, the weather is sunny and dry, and there is wind but not too strong.

04

Try to minimize the time you spend in parks or woods where there are many woody plants such as pine, cypress, willow, elm, toon, ash, and plane trees.