   Pollen and Allergies - April 7, 2004 Jeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County This time of year, many people are suffering the effects of allergies. One cause is an allergy to pollen from plants that flower seasonally (usually spring or fall). It can also be caused by mold, animal hair, animal skin scales, dust mites. Symptoms often include nasal stuffiness, runny nose, sneezing, itching in the nose and throat, itchy, watery red eyes, fatigue, and headache. According to the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, allergies affect at least 35% of the population and often need treatment to improve quality of life and reduce risk of complications. Pollens are the tiny, egg-shaped male reproductive cells of flowering plants. Most pollen will become an allergen if a susceptible person is exposed to a sufficient quantity of it. Attractive, brightly colored flowers that are pollinated only by insects rarely cause allergy. Wind-pollinated plants produce comparatively huge quantities of pollen that become airborne easily and can travel 20 miles or more on a windy day. Pollen from all grasses, many weeds, junipers, pines, and most of the common deciduous trees are disseminated by wind. This problem has been made worse by the introduction of exotic species in our landscapes. Our warmer-than-average spring has hastened the bloom of many allergy causing plants and we have many species that can cause allergies in our area. Local trees and shrubs that produce wind-borne pollen are: ash, cottonwood, olive, desert broom, hackberry, juniper, mesquite, mulberry, oak, pine, cypress, sycamore, salt cedar, pecan, black walnut, four-wing saltbush, and elm trees. Grasses are: bermudagrass, johnsongrass, and ryegrass. Annuals, perennials, and shrubs are: alfalfa, pigweed, cocklebur, lambsquarter, ragweed, and Russian thistle (tumbleweed). This is not an all-inclusive list, but it probably contains most of our worst allergenic pollen producers. In an effort to reduce pollen originating from residential and commercial landscapes, Pima County (Tucson area) has enacted landscape codes that prohibit the sales of mulberry trees, and pollen producing olive tree varieties. In addition, common bermudagrass must be mowed regularly to reduce excessive flowering. If the owner does not maintain the turf, they will have it done for you and send you the bill. It should be noted that well-maintained and properly fertilized bermudagrass will produce few, if any, flowers. Hybrid bermudagrasses are less prolific seed producers and many varieties must be propagated through vegetative (sowing stolons rather than seed). Hybrid, vegetative varieties are preferable for allergy sufferers. It is sometimes useful for allergy sufferers to know which pollen species are present at any given time. This is done by conducting a pollen count. Pollen counts measure the amount of airborne allergens present in the air at the time of sample collection. Counts are reported as grains per cubic meter of air. Certified aeroallergen counters at many universities, medical centers and clinics provide these counts on a volunteer basis. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has a network of pollen counters across the United States. Each counter works under the direction of an AAAAI member and must first pass an intensive certification course. Counters use air sampling equipment to capture air-borne pollens. Data from AAAAI can be accessed on the Internet at: www.aaaai.org. Arizona does not have a cooperator on this web site. The nearest sites currently reporting are Los Alamos, NM and Las Vegas, NV. Additional information is also available from the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center Web Site at: www.peds.arizona.edu/allergyimmunology/southwest/. If you suffer from allergies, you may want to consider seeing an allergist. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |