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 Timothy
Grass
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English Plantain
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Cladosporium
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Chaetomium
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Late June, July, and August create some complex problems for allergy sufferers in the Midwestern part of the United States and for that matter in many other parts of the country as well. Several allergens are present in the
air that in concert cause many miserable days and nights for allergy sufferers. First, Timothy grass
(Phleum pratense), pictured above is in its pollination phase. Throughout the Midwest it is harvested in the “second cutting of hay”. This particular grass cross-reacts with six other grasses that pollinate earlier in April, May and June. They are: Sweet Vernal, Orchard, Rye, Red Top, and Meadow Fescue grass. They all have the same epitopes (the part on the pollen molecule that antibodies attach to – see the Terms to Understand link). Many weeds are pollinating at this time such as Sheep Sorrel and Yellow Dock (not pictured), but the most prominent weed is English plantain
(Plantago lanceolata) pictured above, until Ragweed blooms in mid August. Plantain and Broad-leaf plantain are problems for farmers as well as allergy patients. Not to be down played in its seriousness is mold allergy. During this same time of high humidity, we get high mold spore counts, which acts as a double whammy for allergy patients. Pictured above are the two most prominent molds that I have seen this year in the counts I receive (and you can receive these too by signing up at the NAB site, whose link appears on the Pollen/Spore Count page under the Information menu on
AllerNurse) by email. Cladosporium cladosporides (Hormodendrum) is pictured above. It is found on decomposing plants, leather, paper, and wood products. It’s responsible for that “musty smell” in old books, etc. Its spores are released in great number after a rain. Chaetomium (pictured) of the class of molds, Ascomycetes or Ascospores have not been as well studied as some of the other molds, but it is seen as the first or second most prominent air born mold in all parts of the country. It is found in the soil, damp hay, paper, and water damaged drywall to name a few places. One allergy practioner in the Mid-West found that 36% of his allergic patients reacted to it and that figure may be higher if more doctors tested for it. Many other molds, such as:
Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, etc are abundant and may be causing problems as well. You can learn more on mold at
Mold-Help.org linked to this site. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you think these allergens may be causing your symptoms.
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