Birch | Cat | Cockroach | Cow’s milk | Dog | Egg | Fish | Hazelnut |
House dust mite | Mould | Mugwort | Olive | Peanut | Shrimp | Timothy |
Wall pellitory | Wheat

  Birch (Tree Pollens)

Allergic reactions to birch (tree pollen)

Common silver birch is a pollen producing tree, which often causes allergic hay fever (e.g. itching and runny nose and eyes), asthma and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

The common silver birch is a single-stemmed, deciduous tree with a height of up to about 25 meters. The bark is smooth and silvery white, becoming black and fissured into rectangular bosses. The birch tree flowers in late spring; usually at the same time as the leaves appear. The birch occurs in woods, particularly where the soil is lighter. It often grows in heath lands and clearings and is also planted in gardens. It is the most common tree found in Scandinavia and the Alps and a potent pollen producer in those areas.

People allergic to birch tree pollen have also been shown to react to other related trees.

If you are allergic to tree pollen, it is also common to react to some foodstuffs such as apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach, apricot, kiwi, raw potato and carrot.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Keep doors and windows closed during the pollen season to reduce the pollen amount indoors.
• Use an air-conditioner and install car pollen filters if possible.
• Avoid tobacco smoke – an irritant that may increase your symptoms.

  Cat

Allergic reactions to cat

Exposure to cat allergens is one of the most common causes of respiratory allergic disease. Major symptoms are asthma and rhinitis (e.g. itching and runny nose) and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

Cat allergens are present both on the skin surface and in the fur of the cat. Animal dander is extremely light in weight and tiny in size and can stay airborne for hours.

Cat allergens are always present in homes with cats, and may also occur in houses and places where cats are not kept. Symptoms can thus be caused by indirect exposure to allergens in schools, at work and on public transport. Increased amounts of cat allergens are found in carpets, mattresses, upholstered chairs, on cat owners’ clothes and hair. Thus, it may be enough to meet the pet owner to suffer from allergic symptoms.

Cat-allergic patients may also react to dogs and other animals (e.g. horses, cattle, pigs, rodents, minks and foxes).

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• If possible, find another home for the cat, even though this is definitely a difficult decision.
• Exclude cats from bedrooms and if possible keep the cat outdoors.
• Vacuum carpets, mattresses and upholstery regularly.
• Encasing covers and hot washing linen and clothes may also reduce the amount of exposure to cat allergens.
• Wash the walls of the bedroom.

  Cockroach

Allergic reactions to cockroach

Cockroaches are a common cause of asthma and other allergic conditions in patients all over the world.

Where do I find it?

The distribution of cockroaches around the world varies with geography, climate and culture. Several species are widespread, and the insect is still expanding into new areas. The most common species in the industrialised world are the German and American cockroaches. They thrive in damp and warm environments and are rarely found in dry, high altitude areas.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Remove cockroaches and eliminate places and conditions in which they can live by:
• Eradicating cockroaches with appropriate insecticides.
• Sealing cracks in floors and ceilings.
• Removing sources of food.
• Controlling dampness.
• Scrubbing floors with water and detergent to remove allergens.
• Bedding, curtains and clothing may be contaminated and must be washed.

  Cow’s milk

Allergic reactions to milk

Allergy to cow’s milk is one of the most common causes of food allergy in infants and young children. The allergic symptoms may be stomach problems, eczema and upper respiratory problems as well as severe allergic reactions. This allergy often resolves itself with increased age and most children may grow out of it all together.

Another common, non-allergic cause is lactose intolerance; a reaction to cow’s milk caused by lactase deficiency.

Where do I find it?

• Milk and milk derivatives are used in a wide variety of products and hidden exposure is common:
• Milk, cheese and other dairy products. 
• Bread and pastry.
• Numerous dishes like pancakes, soups. etc.
• Sweets
• Toppings
• Processed meat, like ham, sausages, pâtés, etc.
• Hydrolysed milk formulas.

People allergic to cow’s milk may also react to milk from related animals.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid drinking and eating cow’s milk and food containing cow’s milk products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Avoidance of cow’s milk and emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  Dog

Allergic reactions to dog

Exposure to dog allergens is a common cause of respiratory allergic disease. Major symptoms are asthma, rhinitis (e.g. itching and runny nose) and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

Dander, the material shed by the dog into the environment through hair and dandruff, is the most common source of dog allergens. Dander is extremely lightweight and tiny in size and can stay airborne for hours.

Levels of dog dander in houses with dogs may reach high levels. Levels in homes without dogs are generally 10 to 100 times lower, but can still be detected. In houses with dog allergens, the highest concentration appears to occur on the living-room floor, on furniture, and in bedrooms.

Symptoms can also be caused by indirect exposure to dog dander in schools, at work and on public transport. Dog dander can be transferred on a pet owner´s clothes and cause symptoms in an allergic person sitting nearby.

Dog-allergic patients may also react to cats and other animals.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• If possible, find another home for the dog, even though it is definitely a difficult decision.
• Exclude dogs from bedrooms.
• Vacuum carpets, mattresses and upholstery regularly.
• Wahs bedroom walls.
• Encasing covers and hot washing linen and clothes may also reduce the amount of dog allergens.

  Egg

Allergic reactions to egg

Allergy to egg white is one of the most common causes of food allergy. It is often responsible for early development of eczema during infancy as well as respiratory problems in young children. It may also be a cause of severe allergic reactions. However, this allergy often resolves itself with increased age and some children may grow out of it.

Where do I find it?

Egg white protein is present in many different foods and some may be unexpected:

• Cooked or raw eggs
• Bread and pastry
• Candy and ice-cream
• Beverages
• Meat products like sausages, patés etc
• Numerous dishes containing egg like pancakes, sauces etc

Persons reacting to hen's egg can also develop allergic symptoms after eating eggs from other related animals.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid eating egg and food containing egg products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Avoidance of egg and emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  Fish

Allergic reactions to fish

Allergy to fish is a common cause of food allergy. It is often responsible for early development of lower respiratory symptoms such as asthma as well as more severe symptoms, such as anaphylactic reactions. Allergy to fish may last for a lifetime.

Where do I find it?

Some patients allergic to one kind of fish may well tolerate other fishes.

• Fish meat.
• Undeclared ingredient in industrially prepared food, such as cured meat products.
• Contamination of cooking oil, utensils and containers.
• Inhalation of steam or dried fragments.

What can I do to redcue exposure?

Avoid eating fish and food containing fish products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Avoidance of fish and emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  Hazelnut

Allergic reactions to hazelnut

Allergies to hazelnuts are a common cause of food allergy. Hazelnut allergy usually begins early in life and often persists throughout the lifetime. The symptoms range from mild to severe allergic reactions.

Allergy to hazelnut is very common in birch pollen allergic people (Oral Allergy Syndrome, OAS). Symptoms connected to OAS are usually temporary, relatively mild and characterised by swelling, redness and itching in the mouth and throat area. Allergy to hazelnuts, but not birch pollens, is less common and the symptoms tend to be more severe.

Where do I find it?

• Hazelnuts are used in a wide variety of products and hidden exposure is common.
• The nuts are used chopped, ground, roasted, blanched, sliced and as flour and paste in sweets. They are also eaten whole as a snack.
• Hazelnuts are used in a variety of products and hidden exposure may exist, e.g. nougat.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid eating hazelnuts and food containing hazelnut products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  House dust mite

Allergic reactions to house dust mite

House dust mites are one of the most common sources of allergy, worldwide. Mites cause symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis (e.g. itching and runny nose) and eye inflammation, which are most apparent at night or early in the morning.

Where do I find it?

Mites are microscopic animals (up to 0.3 mm). They live in house dust, in beds, upholstered furniture and carpets and especially thrive in warm areas of high humidity. The mites’ faeces actually seem to be the major source of allergenic exposure.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Reduce exposure to house dust mites in the home:
• Wash bedding regularly at 55–60°C if possible.
• Wash pillows and duvets at 55–60°C.
• Encase pillows and mattresses with documented protective coverings.
• Ensure sufficient ventilation of dwellings to decrease the relative humidity indoors to 50%.
• Avoid damp housing conditions as much as possible.

  Mould

Allergic reactions to mould

Alternaria alternata is one of the most important allergenic moulds. It can cause symptoms such as asthma and rhinitis (e.g. itching and runny nose).

Where do I find it?

Alternaria alternata is a common species occurring on many plants and in soils, foodstuffs and textiles. It is frequently found on window frames with condensed water. It is mainly considered an outdoor mould and appears predominantly when the weather is warm.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Prevent mould from growing and mould spores from becoming airborne during mould removal:
• Use dehumidifiers at home if relative humidity is constantly high (above 50%).
• Ensure proper maintenance of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
• Use 5% ammonia solution to remove mould from bathrooms and other contaminated surfaces.
• Replace carpets with hard flooring and wallpaper with paint.
• Repair indoor water damage immediately.
• Avoid cutting grass in late summer when mould spores are present in decaying vegetation.

  Mugwort (Weed pollen)

Allergic reactions to mugwort (weed pollen)

Mugwort is a weed species producing pollen, which often causes allergic hay fever (e.g. itching and runny nose and eyes), asthma and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

The mugwort plant is an aggressive, coarse perennial. It generally reaches a meter or more in height, and has a rather untidy and unattractive appearance. Small, greenish-yellow to red-brown flower heads appear from summer to mid autumn in clusters at the top of the plant, and produce tiny, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers. Mugwort is most common on rubbish heaps, roadsides, sites of demolished buildings in towns, and a variety of other disturbed locations.

Persons allergic to mugwort weed pollen have also been shown to react to different foodstuffs (e.g. celery, carrot and some spices).

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Keep doors and windows closed during the pollen season to reduce the pollen amount indoors.
• Use an air-conditioner and install car pollen filters if possible.
• Avoid tobacco smoke – an irritant that may increase the symptoms

  Olive (Tree pollen)

Allergic reactions to olive (tree pollen)

Olive is a tree producing pollen, which often causes allergic hay fever (e.g. itching and runny nose and eyes), asthma and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

The olive tree is an everygreen growing up to a height of 10 meters, with a broad, round crown and a thick and knotty trunk. Olives grow in plantations and woods, and as scrub in dry rocky places. The pollination period of the Olive tree varies. It occurs in the spring, but may start as early as January, depending on the region.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Keep doors and windows closed during the pollen season to reduce the pollen amount indoors.
• Use an air-conditioner and install car pollen filters if possible.
• Avoid tobacco smoke – an irritant that may increase your symptoms.

  Peanut

Allergic reactions to peanut

Allergy to peanut is often responsible for the development of lower respiratory symptoms such as asthma, but also gastrointestinal symptoms as diarrheal, nausea and vomiting as well as skin problems can occur (exist).

The symptoms can be mild to moderate, as well as more severe, such as anaphylactic reactions. Peanut allergy usually begins in childhood and often persists throughout the lifetime.

Where do I find it?

Peanut is not a nut, but a legume (bean).

Peanut are used in a variety of products and hidden exposure may exist. Peanut dust can also act as an inhalant substance.

• Peanut butter
• Snacks
• Candy
• Baked goods (bread and pastry)
• Oils
• Processed foods
• Asian and African cuisines

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid eating peanut and food containing peanut products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  Shrimp

Allergic reactions to shrimps

Allergy to shrimps and other shellfish is a potent cause of food allergy later in life.

Shrimp allergy is often responsible for the development of respiratory problems. It may also be the cause of severe allergic reactions as well as reactions including skin symptoms and gastrointestinal problems.

Where do I find it?

Meat from shrimp or prawns can be fresh, canned or frozen. Shrimps can also be an undeclared ingredient in some processed fish products and snacks.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid eating shrimps and other shellfish and learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.

  Timothy (Grass pollen)

Allergic reactions to timoty (grass pollen)

Allergy to timothy grass pollen has been reported widely and is one of the most prevalent causes of allergic hay fever (e.g. itching and runny nose and eyes), asthma and eye inflammation.

Where do I find it?

Timothy grass is one of the world’s most common grasses and a common source of animal fodder. It is widespread in fields, meadows and on roadsides in summer, when it flowers and produces pollen. On windy days the airborne pollen can be carried for miles.

People allergic to timothy grass pollen are also prone to react to different related grasses and foodstuffs.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Avoid walking in fields and tall grass when the weather is dry and sunny.
• Do not cut the grass yourself.
• Keep doors and windows closed during the pollen season to reduce the amount of pollen brought indoors.
• Use an air-conditioner and install car pollen filters if possible.
• Avoid tobacco smoke – an irritant that may increase your symptoms.

  Wall pellitory (Weed pollen)

Allergic reactions to wall pellitory (weed pollen)

Wall pellitory is a weed producing pollen, which often induces allergic hay fever (itching and runny nose and eyes), asthma and eye inflammation in sensitised individuals.

Where do I find it?

Wall pellitory is a sprawling, multi-branched, bushy perennial weed, with brittle, reddish stems. It grows from 30 to 100 cm. The leaves are 3 to 12 cm long and oval in shape. The plant preferably lives on walls, rocks, banks and hedge banks. In many countries the wall pellitory flowers all year round but with distinct peaks in spring and around November. Wall pellitory is aweed commonly found around the Mediterranean and along the West Coast of Europe, as far north as central England.

What can I do to reduce exposure?

• Keep doors and windows closed during the pollen season to reduce the pollen amount indoors.
• Use an air-conditioner and install car pollen filters if possible.
• Avoid tobacco smoke – an irritant that may increase your symptoms.

  Wheat

Allergic reactions to wheat

Allergy to wheat is a common cause of food allergy in children. It is often responsible for early development of gastrointestinal symptoms as well as respiratory and eczema problems. However, this allergy often resolves itself with increased age, before adulthood.

Wheat allergy may also develop more severe symptoms, such as anaphylactic reactions provoked by the combination of wheat or wheat flour and intense physical exercise.

Wheat allergy and coeliac disease are two distinct conditions. Coeliac disease is a reaction caused by intolerance to gluten and is life-long.

Where do I find it?

Wheat is one of the major cereal grains and a staple food item in most diets worldwide.

• Biscuits
• Cakes and pastry
• Bread
• Semolina
• Cous-cous
• Macaroni and pasta
• Beer

What can I do to reduce exposure?

Avoid eating wheat and food containing wheat products. Learn emergency precautions in case of severe allergic reactions. Avoidance of wheat and emergency precautions should always be discussed with your doctor, nurse or dietician.