How Do I tell if i am allergic to pollen or ragweed?

ever since friday i have been caughing, runny noes, my ears are stuffy and i have an itchy throat it has happened for a few years now and it is at this time every year but i dont want allergy testing. It lasts about a week and then goes away and comes back the following year!!!

How Do I tell if i am allergic to pollen or ragweed?
It is a very good bet you are allergic to pollen. The spring is grass and tree season. Ragweed is Aug-Sept. at its peak. If your symptoms correlate with going out of doors, are worse in windy weather and also if your are out in the early hours of the morning you can pretty much book it. If you don't want to confirm it with skin testing treat it empirically as an allergy with otc antihistamines. Go to prescription steroid nasal sprays if that doesn't work. One week out of the year is not so bad.


Are you sure it is not a cold?!
Reply:If you don't want allergy testing then just take Claritan over the counter every day...

Is there a way to clean molds, spores, and pollen from the air in your home that is truly effective?

HEPA filters





If you have forced air HVAC system you can easily incorporate the filters into the system.





If not there are many home filtration devices for sale on the market.





With a minor amount of research from reputable sources you can make an informed decision on how best to spend your money. I'm fond of Consumer Reports and Web MD for starters. Consumer Reports use to offer a trial membership that can be canceled if you decide it's not something you really need.





Some of the studies on ionizers aren't as flattering as the manufacturers would like.





Sharper Image air-purifier class-action update :





http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appli...





You may want to research a cool air humidifier as well. I had similar problems and a few years ago, 6 actually. I spent about $75.00 on a Hunter Care-freehumidifier. It still serves me well today. For the most part I no longer have nose-bleeds.





My Doctor also recommended using a Saline Nasal Spray. You may want to consult you Doctor about the nose bleeds.





http://www.hunterfan.com/pages/cat_humid...





Some interesting studies :





http://www.airpurifiers.com/reviews.htm





http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appli...





I hope this helps .... Best of luck to you.

Is there a way to clean molds, spores, and pollen from the air in your home that is truly effective?
You can buy electronic air cleaners that attach to your furnace or central air conditioner. They take everything out of the air with washable electrostatic air filters. They also have conventional and or HEPA filters. But such a system will run you a couple of grand.


There are also such stand alone systems.
Reply:HEPA filters are very big and is used for decontamination for bio safty. i dont think you will be getting those. If your really concerned, get a home air filter which is only about 12 inches by 20 inch or so. also clean your room and keep down the moisture.

Nintendo Wii

How many pollen grains are produced by microspore mother cell?

3

How many pollen grains are produced by microspore mother cell?
if i recall, a microspore mother cell undergoes meiosis to produce microspores, which in turn germinate.. undergo a few rounds of mitosis, and then lay dormant as gametophytic tissue, otherwise known as the pollen grain.





because each microspore as the potential to form a pollen grain, and 4 cells result from all progenitor cells undergoing meiosis (b/c there are 2 cell cleavage events), my best guess would be 4 pollen grains are produced per mother cell, albeit i don't specialize in plants.

Why does pollen make your skin itch?

pollen should not make you itch unless you are allergic to it! see a doctor, maybe you have other allergies you don't know about,, could be why you sometimes have unexplained problems like watery eyes, itching, rashes, maybe even shortness of breath??

Why does pollen make your skin itch?
it's just your sking having an allergic reaction- the immune system over reacting and releasing histamines which cause itching, swelling, etc.
Reply:Skin oils mix with it and it enters the pours which one is allergic to.
Reply:Your skin(epidurmis) is a living breathing organ. Some people ar more sensitive than others to pollen, just has some people have asthma and others do not.
Reply:Histamines.

How do I get rid of lily pollen stain on my cream leather chair and another bit off my grey lino kitchen tiles

If the pollen is still dry use sellotape to lift the dye off the surfaces.





If you have wet the areas then you have a much more difficult problem. On the leather you will have dyed the leather and the stain may not be removeable. The only product likely to remove it without doing damage is LTT Maxi Cleaner which is the only product designed for this problem. If this will not remove it then solvents will need to be used which will damage the finish and pigment so is best left to a technician who will also be able to recolour it if all else fails.





Please do not use baby wipes they are the worst thing to clean leather with as they destroy the finish on your leather. They are designed to neutralise acid in urine so are a very strong alkiline product. Our technicians are constantly called out to repair this sort of damage.

How do I get rid of lily pollen stain on my cream leather chair and another bit off my grey lino kitchen tiles
I'm not sure but those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers might work.They have for me on stains,when all else failed.Good luck!
Reply:THATS A BUMME RIT REALLY STAINS JUST GOOD OLD ELBOW GREASE AND OBVIUOSLY SOME CLEANING PRODUCTS.
Reply:Try a warm soapy mix on the chair and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the floor. Next time snip off those pollen stems. I love the flowers, just not those stems so I always cut them away.
Reply:hi


try baby wipes on your leather chair, they're great for cleaning leather suites, have you tried cream cleaner on you tiles?.


cathybaby x
Reply:I don't know what to do about the stain, but I love lilies. When I bought them last time, the florist told me to take of the parts of the flower which stain. Just pull them off with your fingers. It won't affect the fragrance and you won't have to worry about staining.
Reply:tell lily pollen to wipe her feet next time.

Has anyone taken bee pollen for allergies?

My husband has horrible allergies. Someone told us to buy local bee pollen for it. Has this worked for anyone? thanks!

Has anyone taken bee pollen for allergies?
i have heard of it, never tried it. you are supposed to use honey from your area. i've heard it really works
Reply:No since bee pollen is ususally a allergy causing agent I would not suggest it

DOG

Question for UK only.Does anyone know if the pollen count was high the weekend just gone?

Only my hay fever was dreadfull and where as the pollen count used to be announced after the weather report onTV that does'nt seem to happen any more. Something to do with cost and funding I expect.

Question for UK only.Does anyone know if the pollen count was high the weekend just gone?
My hayfever was bad too at the weekend - a bit easier today. Try www.uk.weather.com and put in your postcode. There's a section on health that has details of the pollen forecast for your area.
Reply:I have been really bad,its soo annoying,It was bad this weekend yes.





I know its a shame they dont let u know anymore xxxxxxx
Reply:There was high grass pollen, in Devon at least
Reply:yes
Reply:not sure but this is the worst i have felt it so far(scotland)

Is a sore, sensitive throat a symptom of an allergy from say, pollen or dander or mildew?

This came on a week ago, Ive never had such a persistant throat problem. My throat isnt sore its just sensitive, makes me wheeze. What could this be?

Is a sore, sensitive throat a symptom of an allergy from say, pollen or dander or mildew?
Yes it can,i am a sufferer myself,your as well getting some antihistamines,this should cure it,if not see your GP.
Reply:sore throat could be a symptom of many things


colloidal silver works wonders for, ear aches, sore throats, and sinus infections.


Colloidal Silver can remedy your painful sore throat quickly and effectively by killing the bacteria or virus that cause your painful symptoms.


check out this site for more information on colloidal silver


http://www.the7thfire.com/health_and_nut...


for more natural healing information ck out:


http://www.peaceful-organic-planet.com/n...
Reply:Yes it can be, but it can also be a sign of an infection. Gargle with warm salted water and see if it gets better. Post-nasal drip is also a culprit of sore throats. If your nose is running you might want to add a few drops of Merthiolate and a teaspoon of antibacterial mouthwash(Cepacol) to the water and salt.
Reply:yes, a sore throat can be caused my alleriges. (did I spell that right)? anywho, the answer to your question is "yes".
Reply:Drink tea with honey in it, it may not be very tasty, but it works...try eating crushed garlic ( also very disgusting) or drinker ginger tea...

I need some cost effective ideas to make low water usage, low pollen level back yard in a rental house.?

I lease where I live and currently have dead grass yard and huge tall fence border trees that cannot be removed. I want a lovely easy care backyard. Planning on laying some of the 12x12 concrete tiles down for a patio, in lieu of 1/2 of the lawn. I cannot afford to cover the whole yard in pavers (it is 16 x 65') What else can I do that is cheap and nice, without planting more plants? Cant run wiring or water.

I need some cost effective ideas to make low water usage, low pollen level back yard in a rental house.?
will the owner of the house ok this? if so put down plastic sheeting or the fabric that goes under mulch and then go look at colorful gravel choices and have that put about 2 inches deep all over the area, its what we do here in las vegas. then you can plant some cactus if you like or just leave it with no plantings, however the neighbors pollen will still get to you. its not all that cheap but it looks nice when finished. you can even put up plastic lawn edging and use a pattern like a wave or something and put down two distinct patterns of gravel. you could add some fake plants if you like for a little color.
Reply:what more would you like to know, you can also carpet it with artificial grass, but thats not my idea of cool , usually cheap does not equate to nice, but i do wish you the best of luck Report It

Reply:Planting in pots is a good idea when renting- You could plant out any original container-like apair of preloved boots no longer used, can be painted(try metallic paint like cooper or silver for good effect) then use succulents like calanchloe to pot in. I got great reward from wine barrels with veges in. Things like rainbow chard have great coloured foliage, look great and you can eat them too.No troubles with pollen there. Have fun!

Does anyone know when the pollen season is over?

I'm enjoy and I cycle every day but I have an allergy to pollern (hayfever) it is particular discomfort is the mornings and evenings when the pollen levels are high. Any suggestions what to do and does anyone know when the pollen levels will start decreasing.





*I can't cycle during the day because I have work

Does anyone know when the pollen season is over?
My hay fever is crazy but to be honest, the pollen count should have dropped off by now, so if you're still being affected now it's gonna be because of pollutants. Are you taking antihistamines? Do you wash your face and hair when you come in from the outside?





I cycle too and wear sunglasses. Also, you could get one of those masks - cyclists here wear them all the time.





And why don't you cycle to work?
Reply:I have hay fever and what i found is before the season gets under way get some honey from a local farm shop or store, my nurse suggested this and i tried it this year, you have a teaspoon of honey everyday and because it contain all the pollen from the surrounding area it helps build up a Resistance, my nurse also told me to drink a pro-biotic drink as some studies have shown that they help with allergies especially hay fever, so this summer i got the honey and a pre and pro-biotic drink called vitality and had one a day, my hay fever has been less severe this year and for the first time in years i enjoyed going out to parks and farms with the kids, i don't know if anyone else has tried this but it has worked for my and i have managed to cut down on the antihistamines that i took. hope this helps you good luck for the rest of the sneezing season.
Reply:It really depends on what type of pollen you are allergic to! I suffer in the spring when the Birch trees are chucking out pollen. It sounds as if you are allergic to grass pollen and many grasses are ripening now. The only way to find out is to have an allergy test to see which type of pollen is causing your symptoms. As a defence mechanism you could try taking antihistamines which suppress the immune response to anything! Your pharmacist will advise.
Reply:If you want to keep cycling during pollen season, get one of those masks. They will keep all of the pollen out of your breathing area. I do not know if you are in the United States, but if you are, I am including a link to a map that you can use to get your pollen count forcast. It is very reliable. If you are not in the U.S., try doing a search for pollen map. I will also send a link to a mask that cyclists wear for protection from dust, dirt, and bugs. At 10 microns, it will keep out pollen. Maybe they sell them at your local bike shop.
Reply:I also have seasonal allergies so I feel your pain. My doctor has prescribed both Allegra and Singulair for my allerigies and they both work well. I dont know where you are, but pollen season ends when there is a good hard frost. Im in the US midwest and generally that is sometime early in October.
Reply:By october it will have gone - simple as!

running shoes

I read that if you plant female trees,they attract pollen..How are males and females different?

It's actually the flowers that show up the male or female-ness of the tree/plant - male flowers have a stamen, and female flowers have pistils - the stamen is the one central piece of the flower, the pistils are the long pieces inside the petals :) See here for some good drawings in explanation -

I read that if you plant female trees,they attract pollen..How are males and females different?
Yes male and female trees are different. During the pollen season they go to the female trees to germinate {this can smell really bad depending on what kind of tree you have}.
Reply:male trees tend to hang around pubs in groups of 2 or more, whistling to all the female trees in a drunken stupour!
Reply:The male trees are usually messier and leave wet spots.

Remove pollen stain from shirt?

pollen from a lilly stained my shirt.


it looks like big mustard stains all over it


i've tried spotting it and washing it several times.


Help!

Remove pollen stain from shirt?
"Should pollen brush upon clothing, it can stain if not treated correctly. Resist the temptation to mearly brush it off with your hands, for the natural oil on your hands will spread, and set the color. Simply use a medium stiff hairbrush, and if the pollen grains have not been smeared, you can safely knock them off. If noticed too late, use a washday pre-treatment before laundering, and hang the freshly washed clothing in bright sun for several hours, which usually bleaches any remaining color."
Reply:Try and brush it off when it is dry if it ever happens again. Like mud, brush it off when it's dry and it won't really make mes on the thing one has spilt it on!





Does that help? I hope so. Isabell_Long (age 12)

Can allergies to pollen cause a dry stuffy nose?

In the past, I would get sneezes and runny nose from allergies in the spring. But last year, the runny nose stopped and my symptoms became a dry stuffed up nose. I have tested allergic to Bermuda grass.

Can allergies to pollen cause a dry stuffy nose?
yes allergies can make your nose dry up and feel itchy too. It doesnt always have to be runny and sneezing fits for allergies.

What remedies has anyone used to be successful in relieving these sneeze attacks and water due to tree pollen?

I use nasonex and a prescribed antihistamine. But I can only take them twice a day, they only give up to 2 hours of releif and it's the in between times that are killing me.

What remedies has anyone used to be successful in relieving these sneeze attacks and water due to tree pollen?
Try Benadryl or Alavert
Reply:there is a product by dolisos and they make it for every state, it is homeopathic and will build up your immunity to the pollens in your area.


In las Vegas it is called las Vegas mix so in your area it will be called (Your State)mix


I own a health food store and so many people swear by it!


You can get it from any health food store.
Reply:I take 1 Loratadine (plain label Claratin) tablet everyday and it seems to help.
Reply:I use a natural product called Total. If you want more info on it contact me http://www.myspace.com/phxcashmom


or kjkemptx@yahoo.com

Help for melasma

Pollen grains consist of two cells: What is the difference between the generative cell and the tube cell?

I'm having trouble answering this question could you help me please? thanks

Pollen grains consist of two cells: What is the difference between the generative cell and the tube cell?
The generative cell has the nucleus which will divide to make the two sperm nuclei. One sperm nucleus will join with the egg nucleus to make the zygote and eventually the embryo. The other sperm nucleus will join with the two polar nuclei to make the endosperm.





The tube cell is a larger cell in the pollen, and this cell contains the tube nucleus. The tube nucleus directs the growth of the pollen tube from the stigma where the pollen landed, down through the style to the ovule inside the ovary of the pistil.





There are more detailed explanations on sites like the one listed below if you need more information.


http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-onl...

Where can I find what pollen or rag weed just bloomed/pollenated this week?

I have allergies and I was good for a long time then BANG. Stuffed up. What just pollenated in Northern Virginia? I believe my cat has the same thing.

Where can I find what pollen or rag weed just bloomed/pollenated this week?
You could try your Agricultural Extension Agent. Local allergist or may know too.

How bad will the pollen levels get this spring into summer for people with asthma and allergies?

I have asthma, allegies, and sinus problems but I want to have a nice spring and summer what can I do because my last have been a nightmare. What do I have to take to better deal with the situation at hand.

How bad will the pollen levels get this spring into summer for people with asthma and allergies?
To answer the first part, you can find out what your local pollen forcast is by going to www.pollen.com and entering in your zipcode. You can also sign up so they will send you notices when it will be bad in your area.





As to the next part regarding what to do about them, I take a quote directly from www.pollen.com:





"Treatment Options and Medication





While there is still no cure for allergies, there are ways that you can diminish your symptoms. There are three types of treatments that can be used in combination:





* AVOIDANCE of the allergen,


* MEDICATION, and


* IMMUNOTHERAPY (generally called allergy shots).





Avoidance of airborne allergens all of the time is virtually impossible. Pollen, for example, is present anywhere you go. Moving to another area to avoid your allergies will probably not resolve the problem. However, studies do indicate that allergen avoidance is essential to effective treatment of asthma and allergies.





What you need to do is to know when your allergen will be at its peak and avoid going out during those times. Remember, you can visit Pollen.com or sign up for our Allergy Alert™ e-mail, which will inform you about the allergy conditions in your area for the next four days! This is a private e-mail that will be sent to you on days when conditions in your area reach a trigger point, and you may want to consider using your medication to alleviate your condition.





You can also use allergy devices in your home, such as an air cleaner and air conditioner. These will help you remove pollen and mold spores from the air. It's important to keep the filters on these devices clean!





Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots) is a series of shots that can expose you to small quantities of allergens to stimulate your immune system. The purpose of those shots is to build up your antibodies, your defense cells. This increase in the number of antibodies will help your body not overreact when exposed again to these same allergens."





There is much more information on the website that should be able to help you out.





Here is an article from WebMD that specifically adressed your issue: www.webmd.com/allergies/guide (add the following to the address, it wouldn't fit in) "/plagued-by-pollen"





Hope this helps. Good luck this season!
Reply:Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis





http://www.aaaai.org/sitemap.stm (site map)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (site map)


http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-in... (nasal wash technique…alternative therapy)


http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/he... (allergy overview..the Cleveland clinic)


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy... (allergy shots…the Mayo clinic)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (immunotherapy)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/rh... (homepage)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedma... (what is allergy testing)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedma... (tips for rhinitis..treatments)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedma... (tips for sinusitis)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (sinus problems)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/... (allergic rhinitis)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/... (allergic rhinitis)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (rhinitis and sinusitis)


http://www.aaaai.org/ar/working_vol2/001... (causes of rhinitis)


http://www.aaaai.org/physref/ (find an allergist or immunologist in your area)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/... (how referral can help rhinitis)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/... (how referral can help sinusitis)


http://www.aaaai.org/nab/indoor_allergie... (indoor allergies)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (indoor allergies)


http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=faq (frequently asked questions about allergies)


http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pol... (pollen and mold counts for your area)


http://www.aaaai.org/media/photos_graphi... (plant and pollen photo gallery)


http://www.aaaai.org/nab/index.cfm?p=pol... (air pollution websites)


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aller... (medline plus allergies)


http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedma... (allergy testing RAST test)


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy... (allergy test, mayo clinic)


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/allergy... (allergy treatments, mayo clinic)


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/... (mediterranean diet in childhood may ward off allergies)


http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detai... (headaches and allergies)


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutor... (allergies to house dust mites)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (pet allergies)


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pet-all... (pet allergies..mayo clinic)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (mold allergies)


http://www.fda.gov/womens/getthefacts/al... (allergies and hay fever..FDA)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (ragweed allergies)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (cochroach allergies)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (holiday allergies)


http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9%26amp;sub... (air filters)


http://www.rhinitisweb.co.uk/article6.ht... (rhinitis web)

How do you remove the stains from Lilly pollen on a carpet?

Try a drop of Dawn dish liquid. Good luck!...

How do you remove the stains from Lilly pollen on a carpet?
just wash it with cold water

riding boots

What can i do to ease my awful pollen and allergy symptoms?

i hate this..every beautiful spring day my nose is stuffy and runny and my head so congested what are some good remedys?

What can i do to ease my awful pollen and allergy symptoms?
STEAMING of simple water or with idione and benzine.





also take the non-sedating drug of choice which is SENERGY OD 10mg or any other LORADINE containing drug. it wont get you drowsy and remain away from pollen, dont smell flowers. and keep away from ppl who have colds that also triggers yr body's immunity in a wrong way....
Reply:Go to your local farmers market and get honey that's is from the area that you live. You can use the honey as a sweetener and it will help you build immunities to the pollen allergens.
Reply:Best remedy...stay indoors in an air conditioned environment.
Reply:Start using Nasal Crom (cromolyn sodium) 4 times daily about 3 weeks before your allergy symptoms usually begin and this will often reduce allergy levels.


Since you are already congested, try a decongestant along with an antihistamine. Also long hot showers will help unplug your nose.
Reply:Seasonal Allergies,,,, gotta luv'em LOL.. I never had allergies until we moved to South Texas, every year they get worse. Doc says it's because we don't have winter to kill out the pollens, so we have pollen all year round. Lately I've been taking Allegra, the Allegra D is what clears up the congestion. See your Dr. or ask the Pharmacist at your local store. GOOD LUCK! I know how miserable it can be...
Reply:claratin works wonders. feel better!
Reply:I have awful allergies. Have my whole life. I use 24hr. Claratin and Nasonex(nose spray). They work great together with no side effects. You can go to an allergist, find out exactly what your allergic to and avoid that stuff or get started on allergy shot.
Reply:I have had the same problem, hay fever, upper respiratory allergies, etc. Try CVS pharmacy non-drowsy Allergy Relief (Loratadine 10mg) anthihistamine 24 hr allergy relief. You only take 1 tab in 24 hours similiar to Claritin. If you cut grass or if outside when pollen is high, wear a mask. Flonase nasal spray works wonders in a very short time for a stuffy nose. Ask your doctor for a sample. Hope you find something so you can enjoy Spring!
Reply:over the pollen time cut out all grass based products such as milk, wheat, dairy and also dont the meat of cattle who graze on grass, cow.

Can bee pollen substitue for a multi-vitamin?

I've read that bee pollen has all the nutrients needed in a day. Can bee pollen tablets take the place of a daily multi-vitamin or is it better to take both?

Can bee pollen substitue for a multi-vitamin?
NO please be super careful trying that product. I know it sounds really great, but a lot of people are allergic to pollen. And even bee's for that matter. Best to check it by your doctor. Trust me; I’ve messed up trying new things and even herbs. (which my dad has been into for years)





Good luck, please be careful.
Reply:yes yes yes.. Did you know that honey is the only thing in the world that will not spoil?

Where can I find Santa Rosa plum pollen?

Do nursery's sell it in the Spring? Mail order?

Where can I find Santa Rosa plum pollen?
Never heard of buying plant pollen of any kind. What's it for??? You can get bee pollen at health food stores. If you're looking to polinate a plum tree, as with most fruit trees, you need two trees that will cross polinate to produce fruit.

If you live on the 10th floor, can you leave your window open without worry of pollen entering?

I live on the 10th floor in Boston and my Cental A/C doesn't come on until April 15th. But I've read that the pollen count has or is about to increase. I don't want to let any in and it does get windy sometimes. But am I shielded from that worry being on the 10th floor?

If you live on the 10th floor, can you leave your window open without worry of pollen entering?
NO. Pollen will go where the wind goes, so if you have a windy day and the pollen count is up it will blow into your place.

family nanny

Why do flowers have different size and shape pollen grains?

What makes pollen grains special?

Why do flowers have different size and shape pollen grains?
Abstract


Pollen morphology is closely related to its function. Many of the features present in pollen grains have helped the species of plants to which it belongs to adapt to life on land, be able to disperse its pollen, and fertilize the female eggs to produce new seeds that would give rise to new plants. I have collected four samples of pollen from angiosperms and studied their detailed morphology. This paper studies the correlations between the structure and function of pollen grains of those four species angiosperms.





Pollen grains are structures that house the male gametophyte generation of angiosperms and gymnosperms (seed plants). They are also the vehicles in which the male gamete genetic code is carried to the female gamete. Pollen grains develop in the anther in angiosperms. It travels and is deposited on the stigma of a receptive flower. In gymnosperms, pollen develops in the male cone, travels, and fertilizes the ovules in the female cones to produce seeds. Each pollen grain consists of the two celled male haploid plant enclosed in a thickened wall.





The casing that houses the male gametophyte has a very complex structure that is reflective of that specific species' functional adaptations. The exine is the outer layer of a living pollen grain. It is composed of sporopollenin, with small quantities of polysaccharides. Sporopollenin is very chemically stable1 and it is resistant to to almost all kinds of environmental damage. It is equipped with apertures. It it divided into two sub layers: the outermost sexine and the unsculptured underlying nexine. The sexine has surfaces that are sculptured in elaborate ways, with reticulately arranged perforations. These give the exine and amorphous or granular appearance. The inner layer of a living pollen grain is called the intine. It is composed of cellulose and is very similar in construction to ordinary plant cell walls. A layer called the endexine separates the sexine and intine. The endexine has a laminated appearance.





Pollen grains are generally classified according to their physical appearance. There are three criteria of classification: 1) the number and position of the apertures; 2) the shape of the pollen grain as a whole; and 3) the fine elaborate structure on the sexine. Apertures are any missing parts of the exine, which are independent of the exine pattern. Apertures are big and they cut across the fine structure pattern on the surface of the pollen grain. There are two types of apertures: pori or pores are mostly isodiametric apertures, although the can be slightly elongated with rounded ends; colpi or furrows are long and boat shaped with pointed ends. Colpi are thought to be more primitive. In living pollen grains these apertures are not actually open. Instead, a very thin layer of exine covers them. Grains with pori are called porate; those with culpi are called culpate; and those with both pori and culpi are called colporate. If their apertures are arranged equidistantly around the equator of the pollen grains they are assigned the prefix zono-; if they are scattered all over the surface of the pollen grain they are assigned the prefix panto-. The number of apertures is also indicated by prefixes: mono- for one aperture; di- for two apertures; tri- for three apertures; and so on.





The shape of a pollen grain refers to the shape of their outline in polar and equatorial views. The shape of a grain can sometimes be useful in identifying of pollen species, but not usually. I may vary considerably within one grain type, and sometimes within one species.





The sculpture refers to the fine structure and pattern of the sexine. It is composed of small radially directed rods. If these rods support something (such as a plate or a small knob) they are called columnellae; if they do not support anything they are called bacula. The shape of the rods can further classify them. If they are club shaped they are called clavae; if they are sharply pointed they are called echinae; if they have swollen heads they are called pila; and if they are short and globular they are called gemmae. There are many more classifications for the shape of rods on the surface of the sexine, but these four are the most common
Reply:Flower Structure


The flower is the reproductive structure for flowering plants (angiosperms). Flowers are extremely diverse in size, shape, color, and so on. This makes them excellent tools for distinguishing plants. As a physiologist, I can identify a few plants from just leaf and stem, but most of the time I need a flower to identify a plant.





The flower is a short branch (stem with leaves). The nodes of this branch are very close together; the internodes are typically extremely short. The leaves of this branch are of four types: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. The short branch is called the receptacle and the four kinds of leaves are attached to this receptacle. In most flowers there are more than two leaves of each kind on the flower, so the leaves are in a whorled arrangement (more than two leaves per node). We'll consider the flower from bottom to top:





The lowest whorl on the receptacle is called the calyx. It is composed of a few or many sepals. In some species, sepals are green and photosynthetic. In other species, they are showy and almost indistingishable from petals.





For the detaisl.http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-onl...
Reply:Uh, a shorter answer would be to avoid cross-pollination. Plants are all over the place, and most pollinators aren't specific to one species. So, bees and things usually have more than one kind of pollen stuck to them as they visit flowers. Only the pollen of the correct shape will pollinate a particular flower. That way you don't get rose pollen fertilizing say, a marigold.
Reply:Yes. This is what enables scientists to say with accuracy whether an animal lived and died in an area where a certain plant or climate existed (Mastodons ). Microfossils are another emerging technology that uses pollens identification. Fungal spores are also characteristic of their family, genus as well.

What are the main principles in pollen analysis?

Please help.

What are the main principles in pollen analysis?
The general principles of pollen anaylsis are below in a nutshell.





i) pollen grains are produced in large quantities during the natural reproductive cycles of many plants





ii) relative vegetation composition can therefore be inferred from the pollen grains released into the environment, as these are a function of the number of parent plants;





iii) the majority of pollen grains produced by plants never fulfil their reproductive function, and when deposited within sediments they may be preserved as fossils





iv) fossil grains may be extracted from sediments and identified down to family/genus/species level





v) the stratigraphic level at which grains are extracted corresponds with particular periods in the past.
Reply:When my nose runs and my eyes itch, there is pollen in the air.

How do you get lily pollen stains out of clothes?

try oxy clean! that gets out everything!

How do you get lily pollen stains out of clothes?
It's more than likely too late for my solution, but for next time, do not touch or rub it, but use sellotape.
Reply:if you didnt blow it off when it got on there, then put some washing up liquid on the stain, neat, and rub it gently in, then just sling it in the wash as normal with your normal soap powder.





Its not an end of the world stain. it washes out , easily.
Reply:try swarfega ,it works!!!!
Reply:use cellotape on the pollen which lifts the pollen from the article- do not rub it
Reply:vanish in wash.
Reply:you can't
Reply:you cant, what you should do before you try to rub it off is, straight away, get some selotape and put it on the stain and it would have come away, next time you get them, cut the bits off where the pollen is and it wont happen again
Reply:Was going to say what backman has told you about sellotape. and soak in biotex if its rubbed in
Reply:Try Grease Lightening...It takes out everything from blood to car grease %26amp; works on appliances to laundry to your hands...I love it!
Reply:This happened to me and I use a raw onion. Cut it in half and rub it on the part that's stained. If you haven't rubbed it into the material then use the sellotape. Onion always works for me!
Reply:Dust first,scrub very well. If possible handpick.
Reply:vanish oxy action, 1 scoop in with your normal detergeant.
Reply:in future stay off the lilys
Reply:leave your clothes to soak in a bowl with tablets!
Reply:you should google it.


I have had it before and It is hard to come out. I just threw out my shirt!
Reply:oxyclean
Reply:Rub stain with a fresh lemon and leave for a couple of days. Then wash as normal. Even works on mould.
Reply:Aerial and an egg cup full of Domestos, soak for ten minutes.





Good Luck, it works!
Reply:Soak it in a glass bowl with a few denture tablets. The denture tablets are made to room food (veggie/plant) type stains.
Reply:Vanish in the wash.

How do I get yellow pollen staines out of a cream carpet?

Resolve Spot Cleaner for Carpets. Sold in the grocery store in a red can with all the other carpet cleaners. This stuff gets everything out I've tried it on so far.

How do I get yellow pollen staines out of a cream carpet?
Its really hard! My mum had to get a new carpet, because a vase of lillies spread so much of the stuff on her carpet!
Reply:vanish also removes stains on clothes
Reply:gently rub with a carpet cleaner, then dry %26amp; vac thoroughly
Reply:gently rub with Vanish, then dry thoroughly
Reply:steam cleaner, or stick a rug on top
Reply:Seems to be a lot of people have this problem! A couple of suggestions are let the natural sunlight get to the pollen or use sticky tape to remove once dry!
Reply:Open your windows and wave a pot of honey in the air to attract bees - then they will fly in and collect the pollen. (Though I'm sure that on re-reading this that bees are attracted to nectar - not honey or pollen - but can't be bothered to change it coz it sounds funny in a strange way)! Good luck with the problem solving anyway.

shoes stock

How do bee's communicate to other bees where the pollen is?

Could a dead end genetic signal from genetically altered plants or soil run off in water they drink have an effect on instinct patterns?

How do bee's communicate to other bees where the pollen is?
They dance by shaking their bottoms and walking around in circles or figure-eights. The pattern they use shows the others where the flowers are, how far away, how many, etc. It's quite remarkable. And yes, I have heard that genetically manipulated plants have a negative effect on bees. Another good reason not to mess with Mother Nature.
Reply:When they return to the hive they do a dance which has a specific pattern that defines direction and distance.





This is from research many decades old.
Reply:they dance to communicate( really it is coordinated movements that mean different words letters or phrases in bee language) Sort of like US Sign language-- the movement of the body to mean different words. :.)
Reply:They do a special dance in the hive to let the other bees know where the pollen is.

How can i keep pollen off my black car without buying a car cover?

no way possible unless you put it in a closed garage.

How can i keep pollen off my black car without buying a car cover?
Pollen will always accumalate on the car. If you have a good wax on the cars paint it should wipe off easier, but only a car cover will keep it off the car entirely, unless you park your car inside your garage.





Good Luck





PS......A good california duster works well on cars for the pollen to wipe off.
Reply:Wax it, then rinse it.
Reply:Exactly....... A very good car wax
Reply:There is no way, car cover is the only way.


If you get your car waxed it will be easier to get the pollen off.
Reply:A good car wax would help, but if your talking about a vynil top, than I'm not sure what would help that.
Reply:park somewhere else.

What becomes of the generative nucleus in the pollen tube of a germinating pollen grain?

It forms the two male gametes.





One of the fuses with the female gamete to form the diploid zygote or oospore ( Precursor of the embryo ) and the other one fuses with the diploid secondary nucleus to form Triploid endosperm nucleus ( Precursor of the Endosperm )

What is the pollen count like for Orlando in June?

I will be in the orlando area in june, and I was wondering if I should bring some Claritin for allergies.





I'm in michigan right now and my sinuses are going crazy and I'm getting bad headaches too.

What is the pollen count like for Orlando in June?
IDK! My cousin lives in that area. I'll e-mail her %26amp; let you know what she says! You do know that they sell Claritin in Florida too, right?! LOL

safety boots

Hypothesize why pollen grains grow pollen tubes when exposed to a sucrose solution.?

I suppose it is like an ovum developing in order to prepare for fertilization.

Hypothesize why pollen grains grow pollen tubes when exposed to a sucrose solution.?
Turn it into a statement, thats what a hypothesis is. So, in this case it could be Pollen grains will grow pollen tubes when exposed to a sucrose solution. you will then investigate this and find out if that statement is true








I think thats what your asking.. hope this helps, i know what a hypothesis is but i dont usderstand pollen etc

Somehow I just developed allergic reactions to pollen that I never had until the last year or two? Why?

My doctor said this is normal, do you think it has anything to do with the depletion of our ozone layer?

Somehow I just developed allergic reactions to pollen that I never had until the last year or two? Why?
Allergy is a chronic condition. It is caused by a defect in the immune system. It has nothing to do with the ozone layer. Your body is mis-identifying harmless proteins found in very light, white, wind-borne pollens as evil enemy invaders intent on causing disease and destruction. Instead of your body saying "O Hai! A little white piece of harmless pollen from grass..who cares" It says "OOOOO NooooOOOO!!! Help Help We are under attack, get the immune system into action NOW!" So, your body produces a human immunoglobulin E (IgE) that is specific to that protein, this IgE triggers the mast cells in your blood to produce histamine, and it is the histamine that makes you feel so crappy. Each subsequent exposure to this protein in the pollen causes a more reactive response. It has just taken you years to get to the spot where you actually know what is going on. As far as controlling it, I will give you a link to a map that gives you pollen forecasts. In addition, stay inside on windy days and early in the morning and late in the evening. This is when pollen counts are the highest. If you have to be outside at those times, as soon as you come in take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes because you will be loaded with pollen and will just spread it all over your house. Same goes for pets too, keep em inside. Keep doors and windows closed. If you have to have the windows open, they make those special pollen screens for the windows, I will give you a link for those. You can also try taking loratadine or diphenhydramine hydrochloride (those are the generic names for Claritin and Benadryl, but you don't need to pay for the name). Be careful of the diphenhydramine hydrochloride, because it can make you sleepy.
Reply:Allergies are caused by the reaction of your bodies imune system to outside contaigen such as pollen, dust, dander %26amp;etc. Your imune system can suddenly switch on %26amp; start reacting to something it didn't used to. It can just as quickly stop reacting to it or slowly lessen the symptoms.





The ozone layer has nothing to do with it.
Reply:If it had happened suddenly the reasons could be diverse.


-You might have come in to contact a new veriety of material objects including the vegitation,animals etc.


-You might have developed some disturbance in your metabilism and hence a disturbance in your immune system.


-maintain a good regimen of your diet and do good yoga/physical exercise.reduce oxidants in your diet. you will find cure.
Reply:I don't think so. I think it has to do with our bodies and our immune systems. I had no allergies at all until I turned 30. Now I have so many, I can't survive the day without my medicine.
Reply:i have the same troubles, i know all people are able to develop new allergies at any time in their lives, but i do have to wonder the same thing, is our ozone layer affecting our health more then we know? i think so...
Reply:everybody's body changes every 7 years. I never use to have really bad allergies until this year now I have to take 2 different kinds of allergy medicines just to feel good every day.

Is burning plastic and sniffing the fumes an effective way to cure pollen allergies?

My father once told me to do it and it works in my case.





Now I was wondering is it harmful?

Is burning plastic and sniffing the fumes an effective way to cure pollen allergies?
This may undoubtably be the dumbest thing I have heard of. The human body has its own natural defensive mechanism that consists of mucosa and hair to trap particles that will invade and harm the respiratory tract. The hairs you may so delicatly pluck are imperative to the defense mechanism inside the naraes of the respiratory system. In our daily lives we filter and obstruct repeated carcinocgens that will negatively and adversely affect our our health. The thought that intentional inhalation of caustic and cancer causing agents would be convienient for the relief of sinuses is ludacris. Allegies are strictly a hyperesponsiveness to a noxious stimuli leading to bronchial and systemic contriction with a seconday inflamatory response. I would conclude that repeated exposure to noxious stimuli would increase your hypersensitivy to allergens. If you continue this avenue, I am resonably sure you will either: die, develope Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, develope rare cancer or die from stupidity due to unknown etiology otherwise known as Darwinism.....STOP INHALING TOXIC CHEMICALS.........


I assure you, you dont have enough brain cells.........Take a benadryll...25-50mg Po,( by mouth) you cant find a better anti histamine.... Good Luck.... Heed the advice
Reply:haha. ja go ahead. fry ur brains.try wood smoke!
Reply:It could be. Many plastics are actually toxic.
Reply:It's a great way to damage your brain cells. Plastic is toxic, burning plastic is more toxic. You could also damage your eyes and they don't grow back. Being blind is a possible side effect of burning plastic and sniffing the fumes.


Pollen allergies are common. Try getting an air filter with an ionizer for your bedroom, Keep the bedroom door/windows closed even on nice nights, don't let anyone smoke in your bedroom, don't wear perfume or other fragrances and don't use those awful plug in Glade things. If you clean the bedroom for the 8 hrs. you are in there every night, you'll have a much better change of helping your allergies. good luck.
Reply:Your Dad must be an evil trickster who thinks he's funny. Or he just likes you to watch you kill your brain cells . . .
Reply:Plastic fumes are VERY harmful and they don't cure anything.
Reply:are you really that un educated?you need to research this one!common sence will tell you ,YES !!!!!sniffing burnig plastic is bad for you ,i am not going to tell you how, ,just look it up. I DO KNOW!!!!!!
Reply:Of course not.





Millions of Americans suffer from sneezing, coughing, itching, runny noses, and watering eyes when the pollen starts to fly. Each spring, summer, and fall tiny particles are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These particles, known as pollen, hitch rides on currents of air. Although their mission is to fertilize parts of other plants, many never reach their targets. Instead, they make unscheduled detours into human noses and throats. At these sites, the pollen can trigger the allergic reaction that doctors call pollen allergy, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, and that many people know as hay fever or rose fever (depending on the season in which the symptoms occur).





Of all the things that can cause an allergy, pollen is one of the most pervasive. Many of the foods, drugs, or animals that cause allergies can be avoided to a great extent; even insects and household dust are not inescapable. However, short of staying indoors when the pollen count is high - and even that may not help - there is no easy way to evade windborne pollen. Yet there ARE some ways to ease the symptoms of hay fever - and scientists are working to find more and better approaches to allergy treatment.





The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on allergic diseases. The goals of this research are to provide a better understanding of the causes of allergy, to improve the methods for diagnosing and treating allergic reactions, and eventually to prevent them. This booklet summarizes what is known about the causes and symptoms of pollen allergy, as well as what medical researchers are doing to help people who suffer from it.


WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?





An allergy is a sensitivity to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. The allergen (the foreign substance that provokes a reaction) can be a food, dust particles, a drug, insect venom, or mold spores, as well as pollen. Allergic people often have a sensitivity to more than one substance.





Why are some people allergic to these substances while others are not?





Scientists think that people inherit a tendency to be allergic, although not to any specific allergen. Children of allergic parents are much more likely to develop allergies than other children. Even if only one parent has allergies, a child has a one in four chance of being allergic. Another factor in the development of allergies seems to be exposure to allergens at certain times when the body's defenses are lowered or weakened such as after a viral infection, during puberty, or during pregnancy. (However, some women find that during pregnancy their hay fever symptoms diminish.)








People with pollen allergies often develop sensitivities to other troublemakers that are present all year such as dust and mold. Year-round allergens like these cause perennial allergic rhinitis, as distinguished from seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.





WHAT IS AN ALLERGIC REACTION?





Normally, the immune system functions as the body's defense against invading agents (bacteria and viruses, for instance). In most allergic reactions, however, the immune system is responding to a false alarm. When allergic persons first come into contact with an allergen, their immune systems treat the allergen as an invader and mobilize to attack. The immune system does this by generating large amounts of a type of antibody (a protein) called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. (Only small amounts of IgE are produced in nonallergic people.) Each IgE antibody is specific for one particular allergen. In the case of pollen allergy, the antibody is specific for each type of pollen: one antibody may be produced to react against oak pollen and another against ragweed pollen, for example.





These IgE molecules attach themselves to the body's mast cells, which are tissue cells, and to basophils, which are cells in the blood. When the enemy allergen next encounters the IgE, the allergen attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock, signalling the cell to which the IgE is attached to release (and in some cases to produce) powerful inflammatory chemicals like histamines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and others. The effects of these chemicals on various parts of the body cause the symptoms of allergy.





WHAT IS POLLEN?





Plants produce the microscopic round or oval grains called pollen in order to reproduce. In some species, the plant uses the pollen from its own flowers to fertilize itself. Other types must be cross-pollinated; that is, in order for fertilization to take place and seeds to form, pollen must be transferred from the flower of one plant to that of another plant of the same species. Insects do this job for certain flowering plants, while other plants rely on wind transport.





The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by the plain-looking plants (trees, grasses, and weeds) that do not have showy flowers. These plants manufacture small, light, dry pollen granules that are custom-made for wind transport; for example, samples of ragweed pollen have been collected 400 miles out at sea and 2 miles high in the air. Because airborne pollen is carried for long distances, it does little good to rid an area of an offending plant - the pollen can drift in from many miles away.





In addition, most allergenic (allergy-producing) pollen comes from plants that produce it in huge quantities - a single ragweed plant can generate a million grains of pollen a day.





The chemical makeup of pollen is the basic factor that determines whether a particular type is likely to cause hay fever. For example, pine tree pollen is produced in large amounts by a common tree, which would make it a good candidate for causing an allergy. However, the chemical composition of pine pollen appears to make it less allergenic than other types. Moreover, because pine pollen tends to fall straight down and is not widely scattered, it rarely reaches human noses.





Among North American plants, weeds are the most prolific producers of allergenic pollen. Ragweed is the major culprit, but others of importance are sagebrush, redroot pigweed, lamb's quarters, Russian thistle (tumbleweed), and English plantain.





Grasses and trees, too, are important sources of allergenic pollens. Although there are more than 1,000 species of grass in North America, only a few produce highly allergenic pollen. These include timothy grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, Bermuda grass, redtop grass, orchard grass, and sweet vernal grass. Trees that produce allergenic pollen include oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar.





It is common to hear people say that they are allergic to colorful or scented flowers like roses. In fact, only florists, gardeners, and others who have close contact with flowers are likely to become sensitized to pollen from these plants. Most people have little contact with the large, heavy, waxy pollen grains of many flowering plants because this type of pollen is not carried by wind but by insects such as butterflies and bees.





WHEN DO PLANTS MAKE POLLEN?





One of the most obvious features of pollen allergy is its seasonal nature - people experience its symptoms only when the pollen grains to which they are allergic are in the air. Each plant has a pollinating period that is more or less the same from year to year. Exactly when a plant starts to pollinate seems to depend on the relative length of night and day - and therefore on geographical location - rather than on the weather. (On the other hand, weather conditions during pollination can affect the amount of pollen produced and distributed in a specific year.) Thus, the farther north you go, the later the pollinating period and the later the allergy season.





A pollen count - familiar to many people from local weather reports - is a measure of how much pollen is in the air. This count represents the concentration of all the pollen (or of one particular type, like ragweed) in the air in a certain area at a specific time. It is expressed in grains of pollen per square meter of air collected over 24 hours. A pollen count is an approximate and fluctuating measure, but it is useful as a general guide.





Pollen counts tend to be highest on warm, dry, breezy days and lowest during chilly, wet periods. Moreover, the pollen concentration in an area can be changed by population growth, land use, tree plantings and cutting, industrialization, and pollution.





WHAT IS POLLEN ALLERGY?





The signs and symptoms of pollen allergy are familiar to many:





.Sneezing, the most common, may be accompanied by a runny or clogged nose





.Itching eyes, nose, and throat





.Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes caused by restricted blood flow near the sinuses)





.The "allergic salute" (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose)





.Watering eyes





.Conjunctivitis (an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids, causing red-rimmed eyes).





In people who are not allergic to pollen, the mucus in the nasal passages simply moves these foreign particles to the throat, where they are swallowed or coughed out. But something different happens to a pollen-sensitive person.





As soon as the allergy-causing pollen lands on the mucous membranes of the nose, a chain reaction occurs that leads the mast cells in these tissues to release histamine. This powerful chemical dilates the many small blood vessels in the nose. Fluids escape through these expanded vessel walls, which causes the nasal passages to swell and results in nasal congestion.





Histamine can also cause itching, irritation, and excess mucus production. Other chemicals, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes, also contribute to allergic symptoms.





Some people with pollen allergy develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition. While asthma may recur each year during pollen season, it can eventually become chronic. The symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath due to a narrowing of the bronchial passages, and excess mucus production. Asthma can be disabling and can sometimes be fatal. If wheezing an shortness of breath accompany the hay fever symptoms, it is a signal that the bronchial tubes also have become, involved indicating the need for medical attention.





HOW IS POLLEN ALLERGY DIAGNOSED?





People with a pollen allergy may at first suspect they have a summer cold - but the "cold" lingers on. For any respiratory illness that lasts longer than a week or two, it is important to see a doctor.





When it appears that the symptoms are caused by an allergy, the patient should see a physician who understands the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. If the patient's medical history indicates that the symptoms recur at the same time each year, the physician will work under the hypothesis that a seasonal allergen like pollen is involved. The doctor will also examine the nasal mucous membranes, which in persons with allergic conditions often appear swollen and pale or bluish.





Skin Tests





To find out which types of pollen are responsible, skin testing may be recommended using pollens commonly found in the local area. A diluted extract of each kind of pollen is applied to a scratch or puncture made on the patient's arm or back or injected under the patient's skin.





With a positive reaction, a small, raised, reddened area with a surrounding flush (called a wheal and flare) will appear at the test site. The size of the wheal can provide the physician with an important reaction diagnostic clue, but a positive reaction does not prove that a particular pollen is the cause of a patient's symptoms. Although such a reaction indicates that IgE antibody to a specific pollen is present in the skin, respiratory symptoms do not necessarily result.





Blood Tests





Skin testing is not advisable in some patients such as those with certain skin conditions. Diagnostic tests can be done using a blood sample from the patient to detect levels of IgE antibody to a particular allergen. One such blood test is called the RAST (radioallergosorbent test). Although the RAST offers some advantages over skin testing, it is expensive to perform, takes several weeks to yield results, and is somewhat less sensitive. Skin testing remains the most sensitive and least costly diagnostic tool.





HOW IS POLLEN ALLERGY TREATED?





There are three general approaches to the treatment of pollen allergy; avoidance of the allergen, medication to relieve symptoms, and immunotherapy or injection treatments (commonly called allergy shots). Although no cure for pollen allergy has yet been found, one of these strategies or a combination of them can provide various degrees of relief from allergy symptoms.





Avoidance





Complete avoidance of allergenic pollen means moving to a place where the offending plant does not grow and where its pollen is not present in the air. But even this extreme solution may offer only temporary relief since a person who is sensitive to one specific weed, tree, or grass pollen may often develop allergies to others after repeated exposure. Thus, persons allergic to ragweed may leave their ragweed-ridden communities and relocate to areas where ragweed does not grow, only to develop allergies to other weeds or even to grasses and trees in their new surroundings. Because relocating is not a reliable solution, allergy specialists strongly discourage this approach.





There are other ways to evade the offending pollen: remaining indoors in the morning, for example, when the outdoor pollen levels are highest. Sunny, windy days can be especially troublesome. If persons with pollen allergy must work outdoors, they can wear face masks designed to filter pollen out of the air reaching their nasal passages. As another approach, some people take their vacations at the height of the expected pollinating period and choose a location where such exposure would be minimal. The seashore, for example, may be an effective retreat for many with pollen allergies.





Air conditioners and filters. Use of air conditioners inside the home or in a car can be quite helpful in reducing pollen levels. Also effective are various types of air-filtering devices made with fiberglass or electrically charged plates. These can be added to the heating and cooling systems in the home. In addition, there are portable devices that can be used in individual rooms.





An allergy specialist can suggest which kind of filter is best for the home of a particular patient. Before buying a filtering device, it is wise to rent one and use it in a closed room (the bedroom, for instance) for a month or two to see whether allergy symptoms diminish. The air flow should be sufficient to exchange the air in the room five or six times per hour; therefore, the size and efficiency of the filtering device should be determined in part by the size of the room.





Devices that may not work. Persons with allergies should be wary of exaggerated claims for appliances that cannot really clean the air. Very small air cleaners cannot remove dust and pollen - and no air purifier can prevent viral or bacterial diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Buyers of electrostatic precipitators should compare the machine's ozone output with Federal standards. Ozone can irritate the nose and airways of persons with allergies, especially asthmatics, and can increase the allergy symptoms. Other kinds of air filters such as HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters do not release ozone into the air.





Avoiding Irritants. During periods of high pollen levels, people with pollen allergy should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants such as dust, insect sprays, tobacco smoke, air pollution, and fresh tar or paint. Any of these can aggravate the symptoms of pollen allergy.





Medication. For people with seasonal allergies who find they cannot avoid pollen, the symptoms can often be controlled with medication available by prescription or over the counter.





Effective medications that can be prescribed by a physician include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and cromolyn sodium - any of which can be used alone or in combination. There are also many effective antihistamines and decongestants that are available without a prescription.





Antihistamines. As the name indicates, an antihistamine counters the effects of histamine, which, as described before, is released by the mast cells in the body's tissues and contributes to the allergy symptoms. For many years, antihistamines have proven useful in relieving sneezing and itching in the nose, throat, and eyes and in reducing nasal swelling and drainage.





But many people who take antihistamines experience some distressing side effects: drowsiness and loss of alertness and coordination. In children such reactions can be misinterpreted as behavior problems. Several new types of antihistamines that cause fewer of these side effects are now being developed and marketed.





Nasal Decongestants. Over-the-counter products containing decongestants can be helpful in relieving blocked nasal passages. These drugs constrict the blood vessels in nasal tissue, lessening swelling and mucus production. Nasal decongestants, although available as nasal sprays, may be taken orally; these include compounds such as ephedrine, phenyl-propanolamine hydrochloride, and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride. Because these drugs can raise blood pressure, increase the heart rate, and cause nervousness in some people, persons with allergies should check with their doctors before using decongestants.





People with allergic rhinitis should avoid using decongestant nasal sprays because frequent or prolonged use can lead to a "rebound phenomenon," in which the initial effect of shrinking the nasal passages is followed by increased swelling and congestion. When this occurs, a person often will use the spray in higher doses, or more frequently, in an attempt to get relief from congestion. Instead of improving nasal congestion, however, such use of nasal sprays only intensifies the problem.





Corticosteroids. Until recently, corticosteroids, although very effective in controlling allergic disorders, were not widely used for pollen allergy because their prolonged use can result in serious sided effects. Corticosteroids relieve the symptoms of pollen allergy by reducing nasal inflammation and inhibiting mucus production. Locally active steroids that penetrate the nasal membrane are now available as nasal sprays in measured-dose spray bottles. When used this way, the drug affects only the nasal passages rather than the entire body. The side effects, which are minimal when the spray is used in recommended doses, can include nasal burning and dryness and a sore throat.





Cromolyn sodium. Another effective agent that is available by prescription as a nasal solution is cromolyn sodium. Unlike antihistamines or steroids, cromolyn sodium is believed to control allergic symptoms by preventing the mast cells from releasing histamine. In clinical trials, cromolyn sodium has been proven safe and effective and, in contrast to some other allergy medications, appears to cause no drowsiness. Unlike antihistamines and decongestants, corticosteroid nasal sprays and cromolyn sodium nasal solutions must be used for several days to weeks before there is any noticeable reduction in symptoms.





Combination therapy. Sometimes antihistamines, cromolyn sodium, or nasal corticosteroids are not effective when used alone, but when prescribed in combination, these agents can often provide significant, if not total, relief from hay fever.





Immunotherapy If environmental control methods and medication prove to be inadequate to control a person's symptoms, a physician may recommend immunotherapy (commonly called allergy shots). The aim of this treatment is to increase the patient's tolerance to the particular pollen to which he or she is allergic.





Diluted extracts of the pollen are injected under the patient's skin. The patient receives small doses once or twice a week, working up to larger doses that are given less often. The size of the largest dose depends on the patient's tolerance and the treatment's effect on the patient's allergy symptoms. Since it takes time to build up tolerance, prolonged treatment may be needed before the patient's symptoms are relieved.





Immunotherapy is not without problems. It can be expensive, and may require months before improvement is apparent. Further, it does not work well for some people and, if the size of the dose or frequency of shots is not carefully monitored, the injections can cause allergic reactions. These reactions can be quite mild - redness and swelling at the site of the injection - or potentially serious systemic reactions such as hives, generalized swelling, or shock. Immunotherapy is therefore only one part of a physician's overall treatment plan for an allergic patient.





WHAT IF POLLEN ALLERGY IS NOT TREATED?





As anyone with allergies knows, allergic symptoms are annoying and, in severe cases, debilitating. As a rule, however, an allergy to pollen does not progress to serious pulmonary or other diseases. Occasionally, when pollen allergy is not treated, complications may occur. These include swelling of the nasal passages and eustachian tubes leading to the ears, which may prevent proper drainage and airflow and lead to secondary infection of the sinuses or to middle ear problems.





HOW CAN MEDICAL RESEARCH HELP?





Research on hay fever is proceeding on several fronts. Scientists are conducting what happens to the body in allergic disease. By knowing how this process works, they can devise ways to prevent sensitization to allergens or to prevent allergic symptoms. Meanwhile, clinical researchers are seeking better immunotherapy materials and methods as well as more effective drugs with fewer side effects.





To speed the process of applying the findings from laboratory research to the treatment of allergy patients, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) supports a network of Asthma and Allergic Disease Centers throughout the United States. At the centers, laboratory scientists work closely with clinical allergy specialists to expand our knowledge of allergic disease.





Regulating IgE Antibody A basic approach to the treatment of allergy is to prevent the immune system cells from making significant amounts of IgE antibody. NIAID-supported investigators are studying a number of naturally occurring factors that may control this process. By inhibiting the production of IgE, we could prevent allergic reactions and eliminate the need for drugs to control symptoms.





A possible new approach to regulating the production of IgE is by taking advantage of the complex feedback network of the immune system. Each molecule of IgE antibody contains a unique sequence of amino acids located on its surface near where the foreign substance or antigen attaches. This unique sequence is called an idiotype, and it enables the antibody to recognize a specific antigen. Because the body recognizes the idiotype as a foreign substance itself, another antibody is produced in response to the idiotype, which is called an anti-idiotype or antibody against an antibody. An anti-idiotype antibody can suppress the production of IgE by providing a turn-off signal to the cells that produce it. In experimental work in animals, anti-idiotype antibodies have been somewhat successful in controlling the IgE response to specific types of pollen. Such antibodies, while promising, need further development and testing.





Stimulating IgG Production Scientists believe that immunotherapy works in part by stimulating the body to manufacture IgG, which is an antibody that blocks the effects of the allergen. By competing with IgE in combining with the allergen, these IgG antibodies apparently interfere with IgE's ability to react with pollen. A goal of immunotherapy research is to find more efficient ways to trigger the production of IgG while minimizing allergic reactions to the treatment.





Modifying Pollen Extracts Among the most promising innovations is the development of modified pollen extracts that appear to reduce allergic reactions to the material used in immunotherapy. In addition, because the patient would be able to tolerate large doses of the extracts, fewer injections would be needed to induce the needed high levels of the IgG blocking antibody.





One type of modified extract called allergoids has been developed by NIAID-supported investigators. Allergoids are produced from extracts subjected to a treatment process using formaldehyde. In clinical testing, allergoids appear to reduce the incidence of allergic reactions to immunotherapy while stimulating the production of protective IgG antibodies.





Other NIAID-supported scientists have developed purified allergens modified through a process called polymerization. With the use of this method, small molecules of purified material are joined into large clusters called polymers. Studies with these polymers have also been clinically promising.





As another approach to immunotherapy with pollen extracts, molecules of polyvinyl alcohol or polyethylene glycol are combined with the allergen. In attaching to the extracts, these molecules function as carriers that suppress the immune reactions. Such combined molecules are referred to as copolymers, and some are capable of activating cells (suppressor T cells) that, in turn, suppress the production of IgE. Other copolymers work directly on IgE-making cells to shut off IgE synthesis. In tests with ragweed pollen linked to polyethylene glycol, the patient's responses were very encouraging.





Still other methods of modifying pollen extracts are being developed and tested. As immunotherapy is improved, those who suffer from pollen allergy will benefit from safer, more effective treatment.





Local Nasal Immunotherapy A different approach to the treatment of hay fever is the use of the local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT). This procedure also utilizes pollen extract, but it avoids systemic side effects by acting only on nasal tissue. LNIT has been studied over the last several years by NIAID-supported researchers to determine whether it is safe and effective.





In the LNIT testing thus far, water-based extracts and allergoids have not proven to be effective in small doses. Higher doses used in testing have produced allergic symptoms and therefore are not effective. In current studies, investigators are using high doses of polymerized extracts, which appear to be effective and cause minimal side effects. Further testing is needed to determine the usefulness of this approach.





WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE?





Because allergies result from a disorder of the immune system, scientists studying allergic diseases are benefiting from exciting new developments in immunology. The revolution taking place in molecular biology has led to significant advances in understanding how the immune system works, with applications to nearly every medical field. These advances offer the promise of better diagnosis and treatment of pollen allergy - and the hope that one day allergies will be preventable as well.
Reply:are u crack head or something? stupid question!!! U Crack Pot!!!!
Reply:not effective, but incredibly harmful.
Reply:You really need to ask??? Yes, it is harmful, it also has the potential to make you high... would you sniff paint or petrol???


I will leave the medical explanation as to why to someone thats trained in the matter

How do you get rid of pollen stains?

on carpets

How do you get rid of pollen stains?
(m)





Pollen from some flowers will stain if you try to rub it off clothes. The answer is not to rub it off. Instead, wrap some sticky tape around your hand, sticky side out, and use this to 'dab' off the pollen. There are sticky rollers available that do a similar job.
Reply:shampoo
Reply:use sellotape to take off as much loose pollen as possible then vacuum, if any is left use baby wipes
Reply:`Vanish` spray .
Reply:Try the dylon "stain devils" range, they have a website and I believe they do one for pollen. They come in a tube with a roll on applicator, a bit like a roll on deodrant.

safety shoes

How do you remove a pollen stain of a flower from on your skin?

With soap and water. Maybe a little rubbing alcohol.

How do you remove a pollen stain of a flower from on your skin?
I agree with the first answer.

How do you get pollen stains out of clothes?

i would suggest a product called 'zout'. it works on almost all stains. good luck...

inline skates

Can someone with severe pollen allergies realistically own a convertible?

I want to buy a convertible. I have been told that I have an allergy to pollen from trees and weeds like ragweed. Has anyone here with allergies owned one? Does taking medication for the allergies make it OK to ride around in a convertible? I live in the Northeast, so it's not like I can driove it around in the "cooler" months when there's no pollen. I'm looking for answers from convertible owners (or people who didn't buy one for this reason).

Can someone with severe pollen allergies realistically own a convertible?
Yes ! If you take your medication........


But remember that there are days that you won't want the top down, rain for one, but you will have some HOT days when it is more comfortable just to have the top aver your head. Being from the midwest my self, there are days that the sun rays are more then i can take and i put my top on.
Reply:Claritan D... I have the same allergies, take it every day... it makes life liveable!! Report It

Reply:Yes, just don't drive it when the pollen is out and thick.
Reply:ABSOLUTELY...
Reply:yes you can just ask your doctor about getting some allergy medicine that will reduce the irritation to pollen
Reply:YES JUST TAKE MEDICINE!!!!!

What is the best month to wash a house of pollen, dirt, etc.?

In the month after the worst of the pollen has landed. At my house, that's about May.

What is the best month to wash a house of pollen, dirt, etc.?
Every month?

Can I use pollen from other plants to pollynate a pumpkin flower ?

No. Pollen from a different species of plant won't work, because different species can't interbreed. If you're talking about other pumpkin (or other, very closely related) plants, then maybe, but you'd be getting a hybrid with unknown characteristics.

Can I use pollen from other plants to pollynate a pumpkin flower ?
You can try. That's how hybrids are created. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.








http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/...


http://tomclothier.hort.net/seedsav4.htm...
Reply:A bee is much better, but you can do it!
Reply:yes but be careful not to get stung by the mad bee who job you have taken
Reply:A like plant maybe but then it would be some kind of wierd hybrid. Like plants I think would be cantalope, watermelon, summer squash. Cantalope and pumpkin doesn't sound too bad but watermelon no, no, no.

Some tips/websites for pollen identification?

I am doing a project where I have to collect and identify pollen. The problem is I have no idea what flowers might have little white or yellow pollen. Is there anyone out there who knows identification techniques, or knows a website that explains how to identify?








Thanks a lot.

Some tips/websites for pollen identification?
http://www.geo.arizona.edu/palynology/po...





You'll want to search for "palynology", which is the study of pollen and spores.

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How is pollen count measured and how does temperature affect the rate of it in the Spring?

I noticed yesterday evening , I sneezed more than I have in a long time due to , I am guessing pollen, but the thing is I dont see any blooms out yet from anything!





So was wondering if this is pollen or not and btw, the temperature did rise to very warm readings yesterday, so how much would that affect the pollen being given off?





Thanks for your answers!

How is pollen count measured and how does temperature affect the rate of it in the Spring?
Pollen count is based upon the number of pollen particles in a litre of air. When the sun shines, pollen gets released into the air, especially from flowering grasses. Since we've had a very mild winter (hope you're not under snow as you read this) there are autumn flowering plants that have been going all winter and spring flowering plants that have got up early.





Another problem with warm weather is that things like dust mites get more active and these also cause allergic reactions.

Are there any flowers that have little pollen in them?

So I want to plants some flowers in my back yard and I really hates bees.





They scare me a lot!





I just want to know. It does sound stupid, but im just curious.

Are there any flowers that have little pollen in them?
Female flowers!





Seriously actually. There are some shrubs and trees that are male and female, and you can just get a female (like cherries). That's just for the pollen though, I'm not actually sure about whether bees would hang out on them (likely though...). You could try some obvious hummingbird flowers. Tubular flowers generally are for hummingbirds, or grasses!! Grasses are wind pollinated, so you can have some nice grasses! Get bunch grasses.





As far as planting goes though, maybe I'd work on my fear of bees.... Good luck!
Reply:i'm really scared of them too, and my husband gets hayfever from pollen... so i'll be checking in on your answers to find out what solutions others can offer.





brilliant question... i wish i had an answer for you!
Reply:Actually, honey bees are more attracted to the nectar in a flower than the pollen, the pollen is secondary concern. You can see this from the way that honey bees collect pollen. The collect it passively as it gathers on their hind legs when the visit the flower to gather nectar.





The bees, when they visit flowers are not the least bit interested in you. Honey bees will only sting in self defense. Once they sting someone, they die shortly thereafter. As long as you do not put them in a situation where they feel threatened, they will go about their business and you can go about yours.





The nectar in flowers also attract butterfly's and humming birds.





Bees are an important part of the natural world. There are more of them that there are of us. You really need to learn that they are nothing to be afraid of. Learn more about them and their role in our world and that knowledge will help you to overcome your fears.





You can also plant flowers that are more attractive to humming birds and butterfly's than honey bees. These tend to be the larger, more tubular or trumpet shaped flowers such as hyssop.





Visit our website for more gardening ideas at-


http://www.gardening-at-the-crossroads.c...





Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!

How to stop a runny nose with pollen Allergies?

Zyrtec works for me, too. You can get loratadine (generic Claritin) from your doctor, it's cheaper than Claritin. But you should get something with a decongestant in it...so Claritin-D or Zyrtec-D (if they even make that).

How to stop a runny nose with pollen Allergies?
Zyrtec works extremely well. I have indoor and outdoor allergies. I'm practically allergic to everything, and Zyrtec turned that around.





It really works, and you don't need a perscription for it anymore. It is now an over the counter drug.





Good luck :)





RespectPeaceRepresent (=
Reply:try Claritin and see your doctor.
Reply:Instead of relying on drugs, why not flush out these allergens before they cause an allergic reaction in your body.





Learn about nasal irrigation and how it can help you from catching the common cold and viral influenza at:





1. Nasal irrigation with a neti pot or plastic syringe:





http://www.sinusinfectionhelp.com/neti_p...





http://www.sinusinfectionhelp.com/nasal_...





Hope this helps you as it did me.


Cheers!

Why is it important for hay fever sufferers to report the levels of pollen in the air in summer months?

it's a question i have for my science homework, and i really dont know the answer! please help!

Why is it important for hay fever sufferers to report the levels of pollen in the air in summer months?
Because the higher the pollen levels, the worse their hayfever will be. Also, if they record the pollen level when their hayfever starts, their doctor will be able to tell how bad their allergy is and put them on appropriate medication!
Reply:cuz it will make their allergies act up

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How do docs test kids for allergies such as pet, mold, grass, pollen, etc? Sinus?

How do docs test children for indoor %26amp; outdoor allergies? What's the difference/how can you tell between allergies %26amp; a sinus infection? Can a sinus infection cause goopy eyes?

How do docs test kids for allergies such as pet, mold, grass, pollen, etc? Sinus?
There are several ways to perform allergy tests. The least expensive and most used allergy panel is a skin test. This is where the child lays on their stomach and various allergens in a solutions are either injected subcutaneously. This allows the allergens to get exposure to the dermis.





The panel is then read a various time periods later to evaluate "how allergic" a person it. Rapid response is "very allergic" while slow response is considered a "mildly allergic".





If you are able to take an allergy pill (like Benedryl) and the symptoms go away, the pressure reduces, or the sinus drains, then you probably don't have a sinus infection becuase the inflamatory for infection includes other pathways than the histamine pathway.





If you have a sinus infection, the you will likely have dark yellow to neon green mucus when you blow your nose. If it is all clear, then you can fairly sure there is not bacterial infection.





Sinus infections and allergies can cause "goopy eyes."
Reply:i was tested for allergies (molds, dust mites, cockroaches, pollen etc.) (and i am 12). the most inexpensive and common is the prick test. i was given a prick test. it kinda feels like a sharp brush and duznt hurt a whole lot. it injex serum from each allergen in2 the skin of ur lower arm. if ur allergic to that substance, an ittchy white bump (like a mosquito bite) appears. in case of a severe reaction, ur asked2 stay in the offis 4 about 45 minutes. if u get a severe reaction, the doc gives u epiphepherine, which reverses an allergic reaction that is life threatening. another test AFTER the prick test confirms the allergies and is injectd in2 the skin of the upper arm. the second test allergens go deeper in2 the skin. u can also get a blood test 4 allergies.allergies can b treated by a medicine ur doc perscribed. ( a doc will definitly know the diffrnce between a sinus infection and an allergy!) a sinus infection probly DUZNT cause goopy eyes. (coolo word, goopy!) hope i helped!
Reply:The ony things that really helped me was when my Dr. told me about a sinus wash that will kill bacteria.


you need





distilled water


sea salt


liquid chlorophyll and colloidal silver from the health food store.


in a glass mix 1/4 cup water with a pinch of salt and heat to body temperature.


add 5 drops each silver and chlorophyll and mix.


using a large dropper (like one used for infant medication) drop 2 full droppersfull into one side of the nose while laying down.


Turn the head and let it drain out the other nostril. Be sure to have paper towels handy.


The silver kills the bacteria and there are several hundred kind that can live in the sinus cavities and anti biotics don't get rid of them all.


Do this twice a day for a week, mixing up the mixture fresh each time.


Then do it once a week for maintenance.


There is nothing in this that will hurt you, and it cured me.


I do not have to take claritin, or antibiotics anymore.


best wishes
Reply:Doctors give scratch tests to test for indoor and outdoor allergies!





Allergy tests are any of several tests used to determine the substances to which a person is allergic.





Alternative Names


Patch tests - allergy; Scratch tests - allergy; Skin tests - allergy; RAST test


How the Test is Performed


There are many methods of allergy testing. Among the more common are:





Skin tests


Elimination-type tests


Radioallergosorbent test (RAST)


SKIN TESTS





Skin tests are the most common. Specific methods vary. The scratch test, one of the most common methods, involves placing a small amount of suspected allergy-causing substances on the skin, usually the forearm, upper arm, or the back. Then, the skin is scratched or pricked so the allergen goes under the skin's surface. The health care provider closely watches the skin for signs of a reaction, usually swelling and redness of the site. Results are usually obtained within about 20 minutes, and a number of allergens can be tested at the same time.





A similar method involves injecting a small amount of allergen under the surface of the skin and watching for a reaction at the site.
Reply:There is a blood test that can be done to check for allergies. There is also a test for sinuses. A doctor can take special pictures of the sinuses.