Pollen Soup - By Naomi Conroy

POLLEN SOUP

The warmer months bring a surge in environmental allergens - invisible irritants that can wreak havoc on a pet's skin. In my experience pollen is the number one enemy, and the leading cause of environmentally triggered skin reactions in dogs.

Pollen is everywhere. Released by grasses, trees, and weeds, these microscopic particles float through the air and settle on every surface - including your pet. What makes pollen particularly sneaky is that it doesn’t just irritate noses or eyes. For many animals, pollen triggers an immune response directly through the skin, especially when that skin is already dry, dehydrated or compromised.

Unlike food allergies or fleas, pollen allergies are seasonal and environmental, meaning pets can’t avoid them unless they live in a bubble. Even indoor pets are at risk - pollen drifts through open windows, clings to shoes, and settles into carpets and beds.

While pollen takes centre stage, it's not alone. Other common environmental allergens that can affect pets' skin include:

Mould spores: especially in damp or poorly ventilated spaces.

Dust mites: invisible to the eye but ever-present in bedding and furniture. 

Grass and plant oils: picked up during walks or outdoor play.

Airborne pollutants: smoke, smog, or cleaning chemicals can also contribute. 

Together, these allergens create a complex “soup” of irritants that pets absorb through their skin, paws, and coats - especially during walks in early morning dew or after a rainstorm.

When allergens come into contact with the skin, especially a damaged or “leaky” skin barrier, they can penetrate and trigger the immune systems response. This sets off a cascade of inflammation: histamines are released, itching begins, and pets scratch, lick, rub or chew the affected areas - often to the point of trauma and secondary infections.
Common signs of environmental allergies include:

• Itchy, red, or inflamed skin, around eyes, underside, feet and all over the body.
• Frequent licking or biting of paws
• Hot spots or recurrent skin infections 
• Ear infections, often seasonal 

According to www.allergy.org.au in Australia, the amount of pollen particles in the air (also known as pollen count) is lower on the east coast where most winds come from the sea, and where there is protection from westerly winds by the Great Dividing Range. The pollen count is usually higher on the Victorian south coast because most winds are from the north, carrying pollen from the northerly grasslands. In South Australia and Western Australia, the pollen count can vary according to the wind.

Pollination times vary with the plant variety and its location. Trees usually pollinate in late winter and early spring.

White Cypress (Murray) Pine is one of Australia’s most problematic tree that produces highly allergenic pollen. It grows from the western slopes and plains of eastern Australia across to Western Australia, south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and flowers from late July through to the end of August. Wattle trees are frequently blamed for early spring allergy symptoms, but tests rarely confirm that Wattle pollen is the cause.

There are many species of Casuarina or Australian Oak trees, which produce problematic pollen throughout the year and may cause allergic symptoms at any time of the year.

Grasses flower and weed 'Plantain' flowers from August through to May. The main grasses growing in the northern coastal areas are subtropical and mostly flower in January, February, and March. Allergenic grasses in the southern part of Australia are mostly Northern hemisphere grasses, with the main flowering period from October to December. 

Normal skin cells are like a wall. The cells are tightly packed together like bricks, with strong mortar between them. Skin with seasonal skin disease is more like a dry stone wall. The cells aren’t so tightly packed together, and the cement isn’t strong. Water is able to pass out of the skin; it’s dry and crumbly, but it also allows allergens through from the outside, resulting in immune responses.

The Process:
1. Exposure to Allergen:
The dog is exposed to an allergen through inhalation, ingestion, injection, or skin contact.

2. Immune Response:

The immune system mistakenly identifies the allergen as a threat and releases inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, which cause the allergic reaction.

3. Inflammation and Itching:

These mediators cause blood vessels to dilate, leading to redness and swelling (inflammation) in the skin, as well as itching.

4. Skin Damage and Secondary Infections:
Excessive scratching and licking can damage the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to infections, especially bacterial or fungal infections.

5. Cycle of Itch and Inflammation:

The infection further exacerbates the itching and inflammation, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.

“In an ideal world, if we can increase healthy sebum production by not stripping this liquid gold via harsh shampoos and degreasers, keep the dogs coats medium length: the natural line of defence, remove allergens before they have time to penetrate and keep our pets skin HYDRATED with excellent humectant based conditioners and hydration sprays, we will have less allergic incidences, reduced secondary infections and happier pets!”

In my home town of Casuarina NSW Left: the River She-Oak (Casuraina Cunninghamiana) & Right: The Beach She-Oak (Casuarina Equisetifolia) Slender trees 10-20m with grey green to dark green needle like foliage. The many species are indigenous, drought resistant and used extensively in landscaping. The male flowers surround a central spike in whorls and when about to pollinate the foliage appears brown. POLLINATING: January all the way through to November, 11 mths of the year.

Read complete article: here

Source: https://www.allergy.org.au