Allergy to houseplants: truth or myth?

Creating comfort in the house with the help of houseplants, we often do not think about how useful they are to our body. And many of them can release substances harmful to humans and cause allergic reactions. Of course, it is very beautiful when the house is filled with greenery and pleases the eye with exotic flowers. Most often, plants benefit by releasing the oxygen we need and purifying the air. However, there are also unpleasant situations. Let's look at which of them you need to be careful with. And why does an allergy to houseplants occur?

Allergies to which plants are most often manifested?

As a rule, allergies are manifested by such plants that contain essential oils, warns estet-portal.com. Since these compounds can quickly evaporate, volatilize and enter the respiratory system. These plants include:

• Geranium (Pelargonium), may have a distinctive aroma;
• Eucharisand crinum, release volatile essential oils during flowering;
• All types of ferns, during reproduction, a large number of tiny spores refuse in the air, which enter the respiratory tract;
• Oleander, when flowering, releases a large amount of fragrant substances that can cause headaches, dizziness and heart palpitations;
• Aristolochia contains alkaloids, so it should be placed in hard-to-reach places. Alkaloids inherently – substances poisonous to humans.

Medicinal or poisonous plants are also isolated, in contact with which, reactions on the skin are possible:

• Alocasia, Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, colocasia, may damage the skin upon contact. Therefore, gloves must be used when transplanting these plants.
• Kalanchoe, on the one hand, has a healing effect, on the other – severe allergic reaction and swelling of the respiratory tract.
• Euphorbia, Acalypha, Croton, are distinguished by the presence of caustic juice that can cause itching on the skin when washing the leaves or transplanting.
• Azalea stems and leaves can also be toxic.
• Adenium, carissa, mandevila, can be dangerous for the cardiovascular system, but only if it enters the digestive tract directly.
• Cyclamens can cause severe burns when in contact with their juice, although they are quite safe on their own.

In addition,  ornamental plants with bright fruits can be dangerous for children. So a child unknowingly can eat them and get poisoned. These include:

• False nightshade, has beautiful orange fruits in the form of small tomatoes;
• Homemade decorative citrus fruits, etc.

What allergic reactions can occur to houseplants?

Most common reactions to indoor plants:

• Allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis). It can appear during the flowering period of plants and be caused by pollen or accumulations of dust on the trunks and leaves of flowers. But this is not an allergy to the plant itself, but to the dust. Manifested as sneezing, burning in the nose, profuse discharge from the nose, lacrimation. Edema of various origins may develop.

• Allergic cough (laryngitis), most often appears by nightfall, accompanied by difficulty in breathing, asthmatic manifestations.
• Allergic tracheobronchitis, manifestation of non-stop coughing. Appears in waves, especially during the growing season and flowering.
• Skin manifestations itching, redness, atopic dermatitis, blisters.

It is also possible to react not to the plant itself, but to the soil in which it lives.

However, all types of manifestations of allergic reactions may depend on the individual characteristics of the organism. Some react to the plant, others do not notice it.

Still, you should not plant unknown plants in the house, first ask about its origin. Strong-smelling flowers are best not placed in the bedroom or nursery, leave them in rooms that are well ventilated.

Be careful with exotic flowers!