Are you experiencing allergy symptoms and suspect tree pollens could be the cause? Consider our Tree Pollen Test Panel to measure allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody produced in the blood in response to specific tree pollen allergens.
Our Tree Pollen Test Panel measures the level of specific IgE antibodies in your blood that activate an immune response to specific tree pollen allergens. This includes antibodies to maple, birch, mountain cedar, oak, elm, walnut, sycamore, cottonwood, white ash, white mulberry, pecan/hickory, olive, and acacia.
Pollen is a dust-like substance that helps plants reproduce by being carried from one plant to another by wind, birds, animals, or insects. Although this is a necessary process for plant reproduction, it can make life difficult for those affected by allergies, especially during pollination season. Your immune system produces antibodies against infections, toxins, bacteria, and viruses as it works to keep your body healthy. These antibodies detect and eliminate harmful foreign substances from your body. However, when you have a tree pollen allergy, your body produces antibodies that incorrectly identify these substances as harmful.
Antibodies are bound to certain white blood cells (called mast cells). Mast cells bind to antigens to remove them from the body, yet in the process, they are stimulated to release histamine. Different white blood cells known as eosinophils and basophils are also activated by and home in on inflammatory sites, contributing to an allergic response triggered by tree pollen exposure. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to tree pollen may include fatigue, swelling of the eyes, sneezing, headache, and itching of the throat, eyes, nose, and/or mouth.
Allergies can be challenging, so it's important to identify which allergens may trigger an allergic response. Our Tree Pollen Test Panel may be helpful in identifying if you have had or currently have an allergic reaction to tree pollens. You may have experienced or experience any of the following signs and symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Irritated eyes characterized by swelling, redness, watering, scratchiness, itching, and/or puffiness
- Congestion
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy nose, ears, or mouth
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Increased asthma symptoms
