Mugwort pollen - information for allergy sufferers

Mugwort pollen is particularly problematic for allergy sufferers who react to various daisies. For this reason, other allergens are often a problem for those affected when mugwort reacts. We have summarized which these are for you.

Mugwort pollen is one of the strongest allergens

Mugwort is not entirely unknown. It has been a herb that has been popular for millennia and, above all, gives hearty, hard-to-digestible dishes a positive taste. However, mugwort pollen makes breathing difficult for many hay fever allergy sufferers.

• The good news: mugwort pollen in Central Europe usually only fly through the air in summer. The main stress period begins in July and ends in September. Depending on the climatic conditions, the first mugwort plants can bloom in May in individual cases.
• The bad news: the herbaceous plant is widespread. It has not only grown in spice gardens for a long time. You can often find them on unkempt wasteland, along roadsides and roads, and on the banks of streams and rivers.
• You can only speculate whether you react to mugwort pollen if there is no confirmed diagnosis by an allergist. Therefore, it is definitely advisable to consult a doctor in the event of such suspicion.
• The doctor will also show you the corresponding therapy options. In addition to avoiding allergens (including cross-allergens, which are described below), this also includes taking antihistamines.

Cross allergies with mugwort involvement

Since mugwort, as it were, "the mother of all culinary herbs" shares common ground with a large number of other plants, the problem of cross allergy is very important. This means that once you have an allergy to mugwort, there are likely to be problems with other plants or spices. You could then be affected by the so-called celery-carrot-herb-spice syndrome.

• In celery-carrot-herb-spice syndrome, symptoms occur especially when eating. Because certain protein structures of the individual parts of plants or parts of plants are similar, the body reacts repellent to all these foods and starts its allergic defense mechanisms.
• With such cross allergies associated with food, you usually feel a tingling or burning sensation in the mouth or throat immediately after eating. Sometimes the lips, tongue or oral mucosa can swell.
• The list of possible cross allergens is long. Spices and herbs such as anise, basil, chilli, curry, dill, ginger, coriander, garlic, caraway, thyme, marjoram, oregano, bell pepper, parsley, pepper, mustard and cinnamon can be affected.
• You should also exercise caution with the following plant foods: carrot, celery, artichokes, tomatoes, potatoes. Fruits like apples, melons, lychees, mangoes and kiwis could also make a difference.
• However, it is important: do not let yourself go crazy and do not see the same danger in every food. You may still be able to tolerate a lot. If you are suspected, clarify these questions with your allergist.
• You can also develop symptoms of mugwort pollen allergy to dandelion and chamomile pollen.
• The most feared cross allergy in the meantime is, however, that of weed ragweed. Due to the wide spread of this arable herb in Europe, it is an increasing problem.