Cypress pollen allergy: symptoms, period, solutions?

2023-04-18 14:04:05

Cypress pollen allergy: what time of year?

Emblematic tree of the South-East of France and more generally of the Mediterranean regions, the cypress is not the friend of the allergic people. Its pollen is one of the most allergenic.

What does a cypress tree look like?

The cypress is part of the Cupressaceae family which also includes the junipers and the cedars. In the Mediterranean region, “pollen from cupressaceae (cypress, juniper, cedar, etc.) represents a third of all pollen. (source 1).

Two species are particularly responsible for pollinosis (pollen allergies):

the green cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) can be recognized by its narrow and slender silhouette, with upright branches; It is also called “Italian cypress”, “Mediterranean cypress” or “evergreen cypress”.
the blue cypress (cupressus arizonica) which includes two subspecies: the Arizona cypress and the glabrous cypress, and with grey-blue foliage.

Note: with the global warming there is a migration of Mediterranean trees (cypress, but also olive, umbrella pine) to the north of France. The allergy to cypress pollen could therefore well in the near future appear in new regions of France.

When is the Cupressaceae pollination period?

The Cupressaceae pollination period is long and lasts several months: from autumn to spring. The many species do not all pollinate at the same time. Blue cypress and blue cypress pollinate from from december to april. Generally the blue cypress precedes the green cypress by a few weeks.

It is the wind that transports the pollen from the male cones to the female cones, we speak of anemophilous plants (unlike entomophilous plants, which require the intervention of an insect to ensure their fertilization). Their allergic risk is considered high by the RNSA.

What are the pollens circulating at the moment (RNSA map)?

To know the distribution and progress of pollen in France (in France and overseas), consult the maps and forecasts of the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA).

What are the symptoms of a cypress pollen allergy?

Symptoms of cypress pollen allergy are similar to those of any pollen allergy:

runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat (allergic rhinitis)
red, watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis);
asthma in very allergic people (allergic asthma) with respiratory symptoms: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Cypress allergy: what is the risk of cross-allergy with food?

A person allergic to a food can react to a respiratory allergen, for example a pollen. This is then referred to as a cross-allergy. Admittedly, the two allergens are different, but they have an almost similar molecular structure. As a result the immune system will react abnormally in both situations.

In the case of cypress pollens, there is a risk of cross allergy with :

This risk has been scientifically confirmed and studied by the Institut Pasteur (source 2): “In the Mediterranean regions, cypress/peach pollen and cypress/citrus pollen syndromes have notably been described clinically. Thus, some people, exposed and sensitized from an early age to cypress pollen, manifest allergies to citrus fruits and peaches as adults. »

Respiratory allergy to cypress pollen: what prevention? What treatments?

If you have cypresses (or other Cupressaceae) in your garden arranged in hedges, it is advisable to prune before the pollination period. By removing some of the male cones, you will reduce the amount of pollen produced.

In general, to limit contact with the pollen present in the air as much as possible, a few simple actions are recommended, for example wearing sunglasses when you go out or ventilating your home early in the morning then leaving the windows closed. .