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Allergy Plants. Allergies. Disease of the immune system Caused by common everyday organism not foreign microorganisms About 20% of the US population suffers from allergies over 50 million people Most common are hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma. IgE Antibodies and Mast Cells.
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Allergies • Disease of the immune system • Caused by common everyday organism not foreign microorganisms • About 20% of the US population suffers from allergies over 50 million people • Most common are hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma
IgE Antibodies and Mast Cells • When allergenic protein attaches to IgE, it causes changes to the mast cell • Mast cell releases many chemicals like histamines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins,etc • Chemicals cause the allergy symptoms of • respiratory allergies: hay fever or asthma • intestinal symptoms of food allergies • skin allergies - eczema or dermatitis
Hayfever • Most common form of allergy • In US, 35 to 40 million people afflicted • Typical symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, watery and itchy eyes, itchy ears • Strongly linked to sinusitis, ear infections, nasal polyps, and asthma • We spend $2 billion annually on medication
Outdoor Allergens Pollen Fungal Spores Indoor Allergens Fungal Spores Dust mites Cockroaches Animal Dander Airborne Allergens
Hay Fever Plants • Produce abundant quantities of lightweight pollen that is dispersed by wind • Pollen can remain airborne for extended periods and often be carried long distances • Majority settles out close to their source • Most important hay fever plants grow close to human populations
Wind Pollinated Flowers • Flowers small and inconspicuous often an inflorescence • Often lacking sepals and petals; no nectar • Pollen small, dry, light, and abundant Stigma Ovary
Pollen Seasons in Tulsa • Trees-- Spring pollen starting in early February through May - greatest levels • Grasses -- Primarily May and June but some continuing all summer • Weeds -- August through October with ragweed the chief culprit • One ragweed plant can release 1 billion pollen • 1 million tons/year in North America
Red cedar Elm Maple Hackberry Cottonwood Sycamore Birch Oak Ash Mulberry Pecan Willow Pine Walnut Tulsa Tree Pollen Season
Juniperus ashei • Juniperus ashei = Mountain cedar • Arbuckle Mts of Oklahoma (500,000 acres) • Edwards Plateau of Texas • Highly allergenic (cedar fever in Texas) • Tulsa allergist reported 15% patient sensitivity • Mid-winter pollination (Dec. and Jan.) • Before the local tree pollen • Evidence of pollen in Tulsa atmosphere