Olive pollen allergy
Olive tree pollen allergy.
About olive pollen allergy
Olive tree pollen is a major cause of spring hay fever in Mediterranean countries, where olive trees are widely cultivated and release pollen in spring and early summer, around April to June. In the UK, olive trees are far less common, so olive pollen is a much less frequent trigger, but it remains relevant for people who travel to or live in southern Europe, and for those exposed to ornamental olive trees. When a sensitised person breathes in the pollen, the immune system produces IgE antibodies against olive proteins, driving an allergic reaction. It is a well-recognised and sometimes potent tree-pollen allergy in regions where the trees are abundant.
The usual presentation is seasonal allergic rhinitis, with sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watering eyes during the olive season. As with other pollens, exposure can worsen asthma, causing cough and wheeze, and where pollen exposure is very heavy the respiratory symptoms can be marked. It may also aggravate eczema in those prone to it. Symptoms are usually not life-threatening but can significantly affect comfort and sleep, particularly for travellers during the pollen season.
Seasonal avoidance measures help, such as checking local pollen forecasts when abroad, keeping windows shut at peak times and washing off pollen. Diagnosis uses skin-prick or specific-IgE tests, which can also help distinguish olive from other pollen allergies. Treatment follows the usual ladder of antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, with immunotherapy considered for selected cases. See a GP if symptoms are hard to control or recur each season.
Common triggers
- Olive 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.