Can I be allergic to houseplants?
Environmental allergies are one of the most common autoimmune disorders in the world, yet many people never stop to consider if they are allergic to their houseplants. In fact, it’s definitely possible to be allergic to houseplants, and it’s a good idea to be aware of the various types of allergic reactions that interior plants can cause.
The most common reactions to houseplants are similar to those caused by other indoor allergens, including mild respiratory issues such as sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and asthma or bronchitis.
In most cases, these reactions will be caused either by direct contact with the plant or through contact with the plant’s pollen. Thus, flowering plants tend to be more allergenic than non-flowerings plants. It’s also important to distinguish between true allergic reactions and those caused by contact with a plant’s secretions. The Euphorbia plants, for example, can be mildly caustic and cause a mild skin reaction in people who are not actually allergic to plants. On the other hand, some plants, like the mango plant, can provoke a mild skin allergy in susceptible people.
Other plants that are known to cause allergic reactions include:
Aside from plants, it’s also very possible to introduce allergens into your living space through the plant’s growing environment. Warm and humid environments such as terrariums encourage the growth of mold, which is a very serious allergen for many people. This is also true for saucers in which water is allowed to rest and even very wet compost in tropical plants.
Symptoms and Treatment of Houseplant Allergens
The symptoms associated with houseplant allergens are similar to those caused by any environmental allergen. Look for sneezing and runny nose, watering eyes, and airway trouble.
Treatment for houseplant allergies begins with removing the offending plant from your house. This is where it comes handy that houseplants are typically portable. So if you’re allergic to lilies and receive a large flowering Easter lily as a gift, it’s not a good idea to bring it into your home for any longer than you have to.
You can also control allergy symptoms with typical over-the-counter antihistamines and other allergy treatments.
Finally, it’s a good idea to make sure your living area and even pets are clean. Pets are wonderful at spreading pollen and spores on their fur after coming into contact with the offending plants. Other tips you can take to help reduce indoor allergens include:
The most common reactions to houseplants are similar to those caused by other indoor allergens, including mild respiratory issues such as sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and asthma or bronchitis.
In most cases, these reactions will be caused either by direct contact with the plant or through contact with the plant’s pollen. Thus, flowering plants tend to be more allergenic than non-flowerings plants. It’s also important to distinguish between true allergic reactions and those caused by contact with a plant’s secretions. The Euphorbia plants, for example, can be mildly caustic and cause a mild skin reaction in people who are not actually allergic to plants. On the other hand, some plants, like the mango plant, can provoke a mild skin allergy in susceptible people.
Other plants that are known to cause allergic reactions include:
- Aster family. Plants in this group include marigolds, dahlia, and others. These are common allergens both indoors and out.
- Chrysanthenum.
- Ficus species. These are capable of causing eye reactions.
- Flowering maple. It can cause asthma.
- Lily family. Especially when flowering, plants in the lily family can trigger sometimes severe reactions.
- Spider plant and mother-in-law tongue. These are very common houseplants, but can also cause contact allergic reactions.
Aside from plants, it’s also very possible to introduce allergens into your living space through the plant’s growing environment. Warm and humid environments such as terrariums encourage the growth of mold, which is a very serious allergen for many people. This is also true for saucers in which water is allowed to rest and even very wet compost in tropical plants.
Symptoms and Treatment of Houseplant Allergens
The symptoms associated with houseplant allergens are similar to those caused by any environmental allergen. Look for sneezing and runny nose, watering eyes, and airway trouble.
Treatment for houseplant allergies begins with removing the offending plant from your house. This is where it comes handy that houseplants are typically portable. So if you’re allergic to lilies and receive a large flowering Easter lily as a gift, it’s not a good idea to bring it into your home for any longer than you have to.
You can also control allergy symptoms with typical over-the-counter antihistamines and other allergy treatments.
Finally, it’s a good idea to make sure your living area and even pets are clean. Pets are wonderful at spreading pollen and spores on their fur after coming into contact with the offending plants. Other tips you can take to help reduce indoor allergens include:
- Control any pests on your plants. Even if you’re not allergic to a particular plant, you could easily be allergic to pests that attracted to the warm, humid soil. This can include cockroaches and other pests.
- Snip off flowering buds before they can open. Because most of the worst allergens are pollen, you can reduce the allergic load of any particular plant by cutting off buds before they open into flowers.
- Focus on plants that are less likely to cause allergic reactions, including cacti and succulents. In general, look for plants that are non-flowering.
- Keep your plants at floor level or away from heavily traveled areas. This will help reduce your exposure to any pollens or sap that can trigger an allergic reaction.
Source...