|  | Public Health Safety | Outdoor Safety

Allergens In Washington

Allergies can make life in a beautiful place like Washington difficult to bear. Along with breathtaking natural terrain and a variety of native vegetation come pollen, dust, mold and dander that can wreak havoc on skin, sinuses and respiratory systems. Recognizing Washington's most common allergens is an important step towards finding the source of your symptoms and seeking treatment.

  1. Allergens in Living Spaces

    • Many Washington allergens do not stem from the natural world, but are cultivated in and around homes and offices. If your allergies bother you year round, you may be suffering from animal dander, dust mites or mold. Dust mites are most likely the cause if your symptoms worsen after doing household chores or entering a dusty area. Warm seasons, especially in humid parts of Washington, can produce outdoor molds. If you live in an urban area or a valley where pollution settles, your allergies could indicate a reaction to smog, or even tobacco smoke.

    Environmental Allergens

    • If your allergies become worse at certain times of year, you are most likely suffering from environmental allergens. If your symptoms flare up from February to April, you are reacting to tree pollen. If you notice problems from May to July, you are likely allergic to grass pollen. If you are bothered in the late summer, weed pollen is your culprit. Once you have pinned down the allergen that is affecting you, you are one step closer to treatment and prevention.

    Russian Olive

    • The Russian olive is a notorious allergen that's common in Washington. The Russian olive is a silvery white tree with small waxy leaves and smooth, light bark. It survives droughts well, and is cultivated by farmers as well as private gardeners. It flourishes along streams, blooming in the spring and spreading pollen that causes sinus allergies.

    Sagewort

    • Sagewort is another common Washington allergen. This tall bush features small yellow bulbs of pollen on fingerlike stalks. It thrives in sandy soils, blooming in the spring and fall and releasing pollen that causes respiratory allergies.

    Salt Cedar

    • Salt cedar is a Washington allergen that releases loads of pollen into the summer air. Salt cedar is a brittle bush with slender branches that produces small pink flowers. It appears naturally in dry, sandy soil with little vegetation, but is also cultivated by gardeners, making it prevalent in residential areas and causing itchy eyes and congestion.

    Blanket Flower

    • Due to its attractive red center and yellow-and-white petals, the blanket flower is a popular choice for many gardeners. However, it is also an aggressive allergen that can cause dermatitis, an allergic reaction of the skin that results from touching its leaves. The blanket flower grows wild along roadsides and beaches throughout Washington. It blooms year round in warm regions, and during the spring and summer in colder climates.

Outdoor Safety - Related Articles