What Are the Signs & Symptoms of an Allergy to Olive & White Ash Trees?

Olive trees have been known to produce severe allergic reactions in people, especially in the first four to five weeks of spring. Those who live near white ash trees have a high probability of becoming sensitive to the pollen produced by those trees. Pollen from these trees causes allergic reactions in some people; the main symptoms are asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis for both tree types.

Asthma

• Asthma refers to the swelling and inflammation of airways that can cause difficult breathing. Of the three main symptoms of olive and white ash tree allergies, this is the most dangerous. If it persists for more than a few months, it may not be a symptom of an allergy, as asthma can be a chronic condition. Checking with your doctor may be a good idea.

Allergic Rhinitis

• Allergic rhinitis mainly consists of runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, constant sneezing, fatigue, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache and coughing. It is a group of symptoms focused in the nasal passages. This symptom is caused by both white ash and olive trees.

Allergic Conjunctivitis

• This is an irritation of the membrane lining the eyelids. It is also called "pink eye" and is marked by itchy, watery eyes. Conjunctivitis can also include eye swelling, pain and/or redness. The way to distinguish this from rhinitis is that it exclusively causes eye problems.

Preventing Symptoms

• If you live in an area with a large number of ash or olive trees, you can't avoid their pollen. To limit your symptoms, stay inside between 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on windy days or days with high humidity, because pollen is more likely to be in the air at these times. Keeping car windows closed when traveling and showering after being outside can also help limit pollen exposure and allergic reactions.