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Walnut Tree Allergies

Walnut trees are big, magnificent trees that grow around the world in large parks and the countryside. They release their pollen in May and June, which unfortunately can cause an allergic reaction called hay fever or pollinosis. Some hay fever sufferers also develop allergies to foods that share the same plant proteins as walnuts.

  1. Walnut Trees

    • As large, deciduous trees, walnut trees typically reach 60 feet high and have rounded canopies. Walnut trees are grown worldwide and are part of the Juglandaceae family that has 60 species. You can identify walnut trees by their catkins and leaves that have feathery fronds. Walnuts also produce nuts that are sold commercially for culinary use and timber.

    Hayfever

    • Some people are sensitive to pollen and tiny hairs from seeds and leaves, including the walnut tree's pollen. If a hay fever sufferer breathes in walnut pollen or hairs, he can experience an allergic reaction ranging from a migraine to flu-like symptoms of sneezing, a runny nose and itchy, streaming eyes.

    Dispersal

    • Pollen and hairs can be dispersed by the wind and birds, bees and butterflies who visit walnut trees. The tree's natural shedding of leaves also disperses the pollen and hairs, as well as people carrying out day-to-day gardening chores, such as raking and pruning.

    Oral Allergy Syndrome

    • According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, when a child or adult with a pollen allergy eats a fresh fruit or vegetable that is from the same botanical family as the tree which produced the pollen, the immune system sees the similarity and causes an allergic reaction. Known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), sufferers can experience symptoms of itchy skin and scalp, and swelling of the throat as a result of eating the food. Sufferers of OAS due to walnut pollen and hairs should avoid eating tree nuts, such as Brazil and cashew.

    Preventing Symptoms

    • Try to stay indoors when the pollen count is high. If this is unavoidable, wear wrap-around sunglasses and put some petroleum jelly inside your nose. Keep windows and doors closed when pollen levels are high in mid-morning and early evening. Wash clothes you have worn outside and avoid drying them on a washing line.

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