The closer International Women’s Day, the stronger the flower fever. To snatch a bouquet of flowers before the holiday is a mission of vital importance for almost every man. But few people think that grabbing the first bouquet that comes across is a so-so idea. At least you can run into an allergy. But there are truly win-win options, said Aliya Khisamutdinova, an allergist and immunologist at the Doctis telemedicine service.
“The main allergens found in flowers are pollen, sap and essential oils. <...> You should not give flowers with a pronounced aroma. As a rule, the stronger the aroma, the higher the allergenicity, so it is better to refuse lilies, hyacinths and lilies of the valley, ”the allergist explained.
In general, it is worth abandoning flowers that are abundant in pollen. Field flowers (poppy, heather, lavender) are rich in this allergen. However, they are not available in all stores. But there are also dangers among the available ones – chamomile and tanacetum.
If you decide to please your woman with a “durable” gift, then, of course, you will think about houseplants in pots. Only these representatives can be allergic to soil, fertilizers and care products for indoor flowers.
In addition, do not forget about decorating the bouquet. Often, dried flowers from cereals (rye, triticum, oats) are used for decoration, and they are quite aggressive allergens. Their danger is also that they can provoke a cross-reaction – an exacerbation of allergies in those who have suffered from an allergy to honey, strawberries or peanuts.
But do not put an end to a flower gift. For your beloved without risk you can buy orchids, roses, alstroemerias, eustoma, freesia, tulips, clematis, irises and phlox. They are less likely to cause allergies. In addition, they have an unobtrusive smell and very little pollen. By the way, succulents are now considered very fashionable, for example, echeveria, the so-called stone rose, or haworthia.
Earlier, the therapist, pulmonologist Yulian Karpov said that among the flowers in terms of the frequency of development of unpleasant sensations upon contact, the leaders are lily, bird cherry, lily of the valley, violet and lilac.
