Plant Allergy: Goldenrod, Wormwood, Poplar Fluff

Every year from late March to early September, some people develop a runny nose, itchy eyes, and fatigue. This may be hay fever — a seasonal allergy to plant pollen. Let's figure out who exactly is to blame and how to distinguish it from a cold.

What plant and pollen allergy is

Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, is a reaction to plant pollen. In spring, summer, and autumn, trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen grains into the air, and some of them get into the nose and throat. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, cough, itching in the eyes, nose, and throat, red and watery eyes, dark circles under the eyes, headache, and fatigue. It is usually worst from late March to September, especially in warm, humid, and windy weather, when pollen concentrations are highest. Unlike a cold, which resolves in 1–2 weeks, hay fever lasts for weeks and months. The condition is often mistaken for a cold, which is why seeing a doctor is delayed for years. Symptoms may include a runny nose, blisters, dermatitis, irritability, a scratchy throat, and sometimes attacks of breathlessness.

Which plants cause hay fever: wormwood and other wind-pollinated plants

The main culprits are wind-pollinated plants: their pollen is small, about 0.02–0.04 mm, and easily enters the airways. With a reaction to wormwood, cross-allergy to citrus fruits, honey, and sunflower seed is possible. With an allergy to birch pollen, carrots, hazelnuts, apples, and peaches cross-react, and with a reaction to cereals — food grains and sorrel. People with other allergic diseases, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and hereditary IgA deficiency are at risk. A doctor helps identify the specific allergen based on test results.

Poplar fluff: does it itself cause allergies

There is a common belief that in May–June symptoms are caused by poplar fluff. But it is too large to enter the airways, and it is not pollen but the filling of the fruits of female poplar trees. There is no scientific evidence that fluff itself causes allergies. Pollen is produced by male trees, and allergy to it is rare. The allergy usually arises from grass that blooms at the same time. The higher the pollen concentration in the air, the more active the reaction, so a 1–2 day pollen monitoring forecast helps plan time outdoors.

How plant allergy is diagnosed and when to see a doctor

A doctor may suspect hay fever based on symptoms and examination. Sometimes skin tests or a blood test for specific IgE antibodies are ordered. Skin testing is performed under the supervision of an allergist, preferably outside the season and with antihistamines discontinued. You should see a doctor if symptoms worsen or do not resolve after pharmacy remedies.

• A runny nose and itchy eyes recur in the same season
• Symptoms last for weeks, not 1–2 weeks like a cold
• The reaction appears near specific plants
• Pharmacy remedies do not bring relief

Hay fever itself is not a reason to call an ambulance; 103 or 112 — if an attack of breathlessness occurs.

This material is for reference: it helps to understand the symptoms but does not replace a doctor's consultation — if in doubt, it is better to make an appointment with an allergist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer