Nettle pollen allergy
Nettle pollen allergy.
About nettle pollen allergy
Nettle is an extremely common wild plant across the UK, and it produces large amounts of wind-borne pollen, chiefly through the summer months and into early autumn. Because nettles are so widespread on waste ground, hedgerows and gardens, their pollen is a frequent background component of the summer pollen load, often overlapping with the grass-pollen season. In sensitised people, inhaling nettle pollen triggers an IgE-mediated allergic reaction, releasing histamine and causing hay-fever-type symptoms. It is worth noting that this pollen allergy is separate from the familiar stinging skin rash caused by touching nettle leaves, which is a direct chemical effect rather than an inhalant allergy.
The usual presentation is allergic rhinitis, with sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watering eyes during the season. As with other pollens, exposure can worsen asthma, bringing cough and wheeze, and may aggravate eczema in those prone to it. Symptoms are generally not life-threatening, but at their peak they can disturb sleep and interfere with concentration, school, work and outdoor activities.
Seasonal measures such as checking pollen forecasts, keeping windows shut at peak times, wearing wraparound sunglasses, and washing off pollen after being outdoors all help. Because nettle pollen circulates alongside grass and other weed pollens, skin-prick or specific-IgE testing helps identify the specific triggers. Treatment follows the usual ladder of antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, with immunotherapy considered for selected, severe cases. See a GP if symptoms are hard to control or disrupt daily life.
Common triggers
- Nettle pollen and products containing it
Symptoms
- Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, nose or ears
- Coughing or wheezing
- Worsening of asthma
Avoidance & management
- Reduce exposure to the trigger where possible
- Keep windows closed during high-exposure periods
- Use air filtration and wash bedding regularly
- Shower and change clothes after exposure
- Use prescribed antihistamines, nasal sprays or preventers
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.