CROSS-REACTIVITY FLOWERING SEASON

GET MORE TIPS AND INFORMATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT AND ALLERGEN LOAD
If you would like additional information, visit us at our TYPES OF POLLEN Depending on the pollen season, plants are
Patient Information Portal. categorized as early bloomers (January to April), What, when
Pollen from wind-pollinated grasses, trees and herbs are mid-season bloomers (May to Mid of July) and late and how in case
among the most common allergen sources in Europe. bloomers (from Mid of July to End of September).
www.allergie-freizeit.de of allergies
These almost all belong to 6 plant families, so there is a
For example, here you will find a practical great biological similarity that can lead to cross-reactivities.
pollen forecast for the DACH region (see CROSS-REACTIVE ALLERGENS

Aug.
Therefore, for example, birch pollen allergy sufferers often

Nov.
Dec.

Sep.
Feb.

Oct.
Jun.
Mar.

Apr.
Jan.

May

Jul.
screenshot below) and many more useful tips. also react allergic to the pollen of hazel and alder.
(Note: Website in German) Since the pollen period is often not identical, the complaint Explanation, Therapy, Tips for You
period may be prolonged. Hazel

© Stiftung Deutscher Polleninformationsdienst, according to pollen report data from 2011 - 2016.
A symptom calendar and many helpful
Alder
questionnaires are also available for you The following table shows possible cross-reactivities
under downloads: between some relevant plants. Poplar
www.allergie-freizeit.de/downloads/
Willow
(Note: Documents in German)
POSSIBLE CROSS-REACTIVE tree
POLLEN
POLLEN Ash
Trees; bushes
Hornbeam
Beech; oak; alder; ash; hazel;
Birch chestnut; olive tree; lamb‘s quarters; rape; Birch
grasses/cereals; mugwort
Beech Birch; alder; hazel Beech
Oak Birch
Oak
Alder Birch; beech; hazel
Birch; olive tree; grasses/cereals; Pine
Ash
ragweed (ambrosia)
Grasses
Lilac Olive tree
Engl.
Hazel Birch; beech; alder
Plantain
Chestnut Birch
Rye
Olive tree Birch; ash; lilac; grasses/cereals; mugwort
Platanus Mugwort Nettle

Robinia Lamb‘s quarters

Mugwort
In 2022 again, our website allergie- Grasses/cereals; herbs Ragweed
freizeit.de received the „MeinAllergie Birch; ash; olive tree; rape; mugwort; corn; (Ambrosia)
Grasses/cereals
Portal Digital Health Heroes Award“ lamb‘s quarters
as a very well-designed and helpful Allergen burden strong weak possible
Rape Birch; grasses/cereals
communication service for allergy Birch; platanus; olive tree; grasses/cereals;
sufferers. Mugwort ragweed (ambrosia); oxeye daisy;
sunflower; chrysanthemum
WM00002-13a-INT11/22

Lamb‘s quarters Grasses/cereals; birch; robinia

Ragweed
Ash; mugwort A pollen allergy should be taken
(Ambrosia)
seriously because the illness can move
Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG Oxeye daisy Mugwort; sunflower from the upper to the lower respiratory
Hermann-Körner-Str. 52 · 21465 Reinbek, Germany Sunflower Mugwort; oxeye daisy tract and develop into allergic asthma.
Tel. +49 40 72765-0 · Fax +49 40 7227713
www.allergopharma.com · info@allergopharma.com
 UNDERSTANDING MAKE LIFE EASIER
CROSS-REACTIVITIES
In case of food intolerances, only a doctor can check if it is
The word allergy essentially means „foreign reaction“. This CROSS-REACTIVITIES BETWEEN CROSS-REACTIVITIES BETWEEN an allergy. The following tips can help you to reduce your
fairly accurately describes what happens in your body in case everyday complaints.
of an allergy. An allergy is nothing more than an exaggerated
POLLEN AND FOODS HOUSE DUST MITES AND FOODS
defense reaction of the immune system to certain, normally
Cross-reactivities between pollen and foods are called People allergic to house dust mites may develop allergic
harmless environmental substances. These substances are
pollen-associated food allergies. Usually, a pollen allergy reactions due to cross-reactivities when eating shellfish
called allergens.
is already present before the allergy to the cross-reactive (e.g. shrimp).
food develops. Especially in older children, adolescents and
The number of people affected by allergic diseases has
adults, food allergy is usually caused by cross-reactivities TIPS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE
risen sharply in recent decades. The number of people who
with pollen.
complain of intolerance reactions after eating food is also
increasing.
Below you will find some examples of possible POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS The safest approach is to avoid the
cross-reactivities between pollen and foods. allergy-triggering foods. A diet and
Cross-reactivites occur when the allergenic proteins in complaint log can help identify them.
Symptoms usually appear within a few minutes
different allergens are similar in structure. They can be the
to two hours after eating certain foods.
reason why allergy sufferers suddently react allergically to a
foreign allergen.
Some factors influence the strength of
POLLEN POSSIBLE CROSS-REACTIVE FOODS MORE OFTEN the reaction to the food, e.g.:
• existing diseases
MOUTH AND THROAT (e.g. gastrointestinal tract, asthma)
Pome fruit (apple, pear); stone fruit
Itching or tingling in mouth and throat (lips, • physical exertion
(peach, cherry); banana; kiwi; lychee;
Birch mango; orange; carrot, raw; potato, raw; tongue, palate, ears, throat), swelling of oral • quantity of a single food or
celery; soy; tomato, raw; spices; nuts; mucosa, sometimes accompanied by hoarseness, consumption of several allergenic foods
chamomile (tea, medicinal) difficulty swallowing
POSSIBLE • simultaneous intake of alcohol
• taking certain medications (e.g. proton
CROSS-REACTIONS Hazel Nuts LUNG pump inhibitors, beta blockers)
Coughing
1 Pollen and foods, Olive tree Banana; potato, raw; tomato, raw

SKIN Many foods cause discomfort only

2 House dust mites and foods, English Plantain Melon
wheals, redness, itching (hives), raw or uncooked.
rarely swelling (angioedema)
3 Pollen of various plant species. Lamb‘s quarters Banana; melon

If severe reactions have occurred, a doctor

Pome fruit (apple, pear); stone fruit
Grasses/cereals (peach, cherry); kiwi; melon; celery; can prescribe emergency medication.
RARER
tomato, raw; peanut; flours; rice These can be recorded in an allergy
passport.
STOMACH/INTESTINE
Pome fruit (apple, pear); stone fruit
Stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea
(peach, cherry); kiwi; mango; pea; celery;
Mugwort
tomato, raw; spices; chestnut; peanut; In the case of a pollen-associated food
nuts
WELL-BEING allergy, increased discomfort may be
Cardiovascular problems, severe allergic experienced when consuming cross-
Ragweed
Melon; celery reactions in form of anaphylaxis reactive foods during the pollen count,
(Ambrosia)
while consumption may be possible
outside of the pollen count.