Tree Pollen Allergies in the City

The New York Times has an informative Op-Ed piece about the botany of allergy, which states that male pollens are the largest cause of allergy symptoms in the East. Female trees flower and when the flowers fall off that adds more debris to the city's sewer system. Male trees don't flower but release their pollen into the air. Due to their resistance to disease and the relative neatness they offer, male trees were planted in higher concentration in cities. This results in a higher concentration of male tree pollen inhaled by city dwellers and can exacerbate allergies to the pollen.While this provides some insight into the botanical source of allergies, the piece fails to address the role of oak, beech, and birch. All of these trees are capable of contributing to nasal allergy, asthma, and oral allergy syndrome. If you're concerned about pollen as a cause of your seasonal allergies, or have questions regarding allergies, asthma, or sinus problems that may be exacerbated by the tree pollen in the air, please contact our office today for an appointment.