Cut Trees to Reduce Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Filed in archive Food Allergies , Hay Fever , Living with Allergies by ruth on September 15, 2006

In a previous entry, I've written about how some people with pollen allergies may also have cross-reactions and show symptoms of allergies to certain food, a condition termed as oral allergy syndrome. For example, if you're allergic to birch pollen, you may also show allergic reactions to kiwifruit, apples, hazelnuts, carrots, cherries, peaches, pears, tomatoes, celery and potato peels.

Now I now what a pain hay fever or allergic rhinitis can be. Add cross-reaction issues and it's easy to see how allergies can reduce the quality of life, but would cutting down trees be the solution?

Professor Ian Spellerberg, director of the Isaac Centre for Nature Conservation at Lincoln University, said Christchurch and other areas should consider removing birches in public places.

Getting rid of the 3000 public trees in Christchurch alone could cost more than $3 million.

I guess, it's ok, as long as they replace the trees that are to be fell down with something harmless. Otherwise, there's got to be some other solution!

Related Entries:

Adult-Onset Allergies and Oral-Allergy Syndrome - 22 April 2006
Coping with Pollen Allergies in Summer - 17 June 2006
Allergic Rhinitis and Sleeplessness - 20 September 2006
Paper Mulberry Trees Cause Severe Pollen Allergies - 12 March 2007
Pollen Allergies and Oral Allergy Syndrome - 03 September 2007
Christmas Trees and Indoor Allergies - 15 November 2007

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Vote for Cut Trees to Reduce Oral Allergy Syndrome?:

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Rating: 10.00 out of 2 vote(s) cast.

Response from: Di (09/16/06 12:06pm)

My allergist advised me that tree pollen travels for miles, so cutting down your trees isn't really going to help.

Response from: Ruth (09/18/06 11:04am)

Hi Di! thanks for leaving a note.

Your allergist is correct. However, cutting down trees could reduce your level of exposure. According to the AAAAI,')" rel="nofollow">http://www.aaaai.org/patients/advocate/2006/spring/gardening.asp">AAAA
I,
"Proximity and location of pollen producing trees, shrubs and plants will affect your exposure to seasonal allergens. A pollen-producing tree in your own yard will expose you to up to ten times the amount of pollen as would the same tree planted just down the block".

However, you have a point in that cutting down trees in a specific area does not reduce your chances of catching spores to zero.

Response from: Jerald (04/14/08 8:07pm)

Allergies can be caused by not being exposed to specific allergens. For example, if you have never eaten a fruit in your entire life, you may be more likely to be allergic to them because your body doesn't recognize them. Cutting down trees could actually cause more people to be allergic to them.