What is elm allergy?

A pollen allergy is an adverse immune response to pollen grains. Pollen is found in various plants including grass, trees and weeds. When pollen is inhaled by allergic individuals it causes seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.

Each plant species has its own pollinating period, which is relatively consistent from one year to the next. However, pollinating season may be different based on where you live. Since pollination is dependent upon how long the nights and days are, states in the northern U.S. experience a pollinating period a little later than the southern U.S. The weather also affects when and how much pollen is distributed.

You can check your local pollen count here to measure how much pollen is in the air.  Pollen counts are usually highest in the early morning on dry, warm, breezy days and lowest during wet, cold periods. Even though pollen counts are always changing and are really only estimates, they are helpful for advising you when it is best to stay indoors so that you can minimize your pollen exposure.

Pollen allergies can be mild or severe, and they affect the upper respiratory tract seasonally or year-round. This means that most symptoms are related to the nose, throat, and airways.

Allergic individuals may also react to certain fruits, specifically plums, pears, and apples. This condition is called Food-Pollen Allergy Syndrome or Oral Allergy Syndrome. These cross-reactions involve itchiness of the throat and mouth. If you react to certain fruits, an allergist can test you for a pollen allergy to determine the relationship.

An allergy test is the easiest way to diagnose a pollen allergy. At NY Allergy & Sinus Centers, we offer skin prick allergy tests to diagnose grass, tree, and ragweed pollen allergies among many others. An allergist will prick your skin with a small amount of the allergen and watch for a reaction. A positive result will show raised bumps on the skin accompanied by some itching. Results are produced within 15-20 minutes.

If you suspect you have a pollen allergy, schedule an appointment at one of our allergy centers in NYC for a quick diagnosis. Don’t forget to stop taking antihistamines at least 48 hours before your appointment. This allows the allergy test to produce more accurate results.

Antihistamines are effective in treating mild pollen allergy symptoms. Many medications last for 24 hours at a time and start working within an hour or two. You can buy them over the counter or ask your doctor for a prescription. We suggest taking allergy medication the night before so you’ll be prepared for the high pollen counts in the morning.

For those that suffer from pollen allergies year-round, immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a treatment option. Allergy shots decrease symptoms over a period of time. The process desensitizes you to specific allergens that trigger an allergic reaction. Many patients begin to feel allergy relief within a few months of starting the treatment.

Flowering plants are usually pollinated by bees, not the wind. This means that the flowers’ pollen – usually heavy and waxy – is unlikely to become airborne, and you are unlikely to inhale it and have an allergic reaction. Only gardeners, florists, and others that have long-term, close contact with flowers are likely to develop pollen allergy to flowers.

Tree pollens generally do not cross-react among themselves. Therefore, if you are allergic to one tree pollen, you are not necessarily allergic to another. Two types of trees are exempt from this rule: 1) the family that contains beech, oak, and birch, and 2) the one that contains cedar and juniper. If you are allergic to one of these trees, you will likely experience symptoms in at least one tree in the same family.

Some of the common allergenic tree pollen are ash, beech, birch, hickory, oak, poplar, sycamore, elm, and maple. We recommend getting an allergy test to determine which tree pollen you are allergic to.

The pollinating season varies by region, but it normally begins in early spring and can last until Fall.

March through June is when tree pollen is at its highest. June, July, and August are usually when grass pollen levels are high. August through the end of October is peak weed pollen season.

If you are allergic to grass pollen, you should avoid oranges, tomatoes, melons, and figs. If you’re allergic to weed pollen, try avoiding bananas, zucchini and cucumbers, melons, artichokes, and echinacea, chamomile, and hibiscus teas.

Researchers are still studying this question, but studies suggest that yes, a hereditary component is involved. Having a blood relative with allergies or asthma increases your risk of having one or more allergies — though the specific type is not passed down, just the increased odds.

Learn more about common allergic diseases, symptoms, management paradigms, and testing considerations.

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Elm pollen affects allergy sufferers with asthma-like symptoms, itching, sneezing, wheezing, headache, sinus pain, breathing problems, red or tearing eyes, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, cough, or dark circles under eyes. Elm tree pollen is most prevalent from February to March.

The elm is a large shade tree that can be found throughout most of the United States. With around 35 different species of elm, there are bound to be some in your area. While the shade and the wood that these trees provide are valuable, the pollen they produce can cause many Americans to feel miserable with allergy symptoms. Since the tree is so widespread and the pollen travels so easily, it can be pretty hard to avoid elms when they begin their pollen season.

If you’re having trouble managing your elm allergies, Wyndly can help. Wyndly provides personalized treatment plans for your allergies. Schedule your allergy consultation today, or read on to learn more about elm allergies.

Elm allergies will cause many of the allergy symptoms you would expect from other seasonal triggers. Since these allergies are seasonal, you shouldn’t experience symptoms year-round.

Here are some symptoms you can expect:

Your allergy symptoms will typically worsen when the elm pollen concentration is at its highest. High pollen count days can usually increase the intensity or frequency of your symptoms.

Elms can be found in nearly every state, though they’re more common throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. These trees typically prefer moist environments, and they will often grow along rivers. Since they are wind-pollinated trees, their pollen can travel many miles. The pervasiveness of these trees and their light pollen makes them difficult to avoid for allergy sufferers.

Elm is unusual among trees, in that it has two allergy seasons depending on the species. While most species will release pollen in the spring, there are some southern species that do so in the fall. If it’s an elm that produces pollen in the spring, the season will usually begin in February and taper off by April. Fall elms will start releasing pollen in late summer and the season may last until November.

If you have elm tree allergies, you may also sometimes experience oral allergy syndrome (OAS). OAS occurs when your immune system confuses the proteins found in certain foods with similar proteins found in elm pollen. The symptoms of OAS will usually include an itchy or tingly mouth.

Here are some foods you may want to avoid if you have elm allergies:

Fortunately, the list of elm-related foods is relatively short. If you do experience OAS symptoms, they are usually mild and will go away on their own fairly quickly. If you have a more severe reaction to food, seek emergency medical attention right away.

It’s a good idea to get an allergy test so you can identify the specific source of your allergies. Elm allergy season happens at the same time as various other pollen allergies, so an allergy test can remove any doubts. When you know your allergens, it’s easier to avoid them, and it gives you options for treatment. Wyndly makes allergy testing easy with our at-home tests. Avoid the inconvenience of a doctor's visit and the uncomfortable in-office tests, and buy your at-home allergy test from Wyndly today.

Let’s explore how different allergy testing options work.

Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and discomfort by getting an at-home test.

Unlike self-diagnosis, an allergy test can reveal the full breadth of your allergies. This way you know exactly what you’re allergic to and how you can treat your symptoms.

Allergies can be miserable, but they’re very manageable — and in many cases treatable. There are several remedies and treatments available to find relief from your allergy symptoms.

Limiting exposure is recommended but can be difficult due to how prevalent airborne tree pollen is. With that being said, just because you can’t avoid it completely it doesn’t mean you can’t keep your exposure to a minimum. We have some tips for limiting exposure.

Limiting your exposure can help when pollen levels are low or if your symptoms are mild, but many people will need additional support in the form of allergy medications. There are several allergy meds you may find helpful during elm season.

Sublingual immunotherapy is a treatment for allergy symptoms, whereas OTC medications and limiting exposure just manage your symptoms. This treatment works by introducing small, gradually increasing doses of an allergen substance to your immune system. This retrains your immune system to ignore or tolerate these substances instead of triggering an allergic reaction. Sublingual immunotherapy uses drops or tablets that are administered under the tongue and can be taken in the comfort of your home.

When you’re looking for long-term relief from your allergy symptoms, choose Wyndly. We offer personalized allergy care designed to treat your allergies at their source. The first step is to simply schedule your allergy consultation with our doctors.

Long-term relief from your elm allergies is possible with Wyndly. Schedule your allergy consultation today to get started.

Below are some frequently asked questions about elm tree allergies.

Elm allergy season is usually in spring, but some species can start producing pollen as early as fall.

There are elm trees in most U.S. states.

Elm trees can be difficult to remove, and the effort likely won’t be worthwhile, since the pollen from elms that aren’t in your yard can still affect you. Trimming tree branches can help reduce pollen in your immediate area.

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• Pharmacological treatment, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, and saline douches.
• Allergen immunotherapy as directed by your healthcare provider.