Olive T9

Olive tree allergy, also known as olive pollen allergy, is a condition where the immune system overreacts to the pollen from this tree. When a person inhales olive pollen, the immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat, releasing antibodies and histamine, which leads to allergy symptoms. To manage these symptoms, it is essential first to determine if you are indeed allergic to olive tree pollen. The Olive T9 test, available at IntroLab laboratory in Belgrade, can help with this.

Symptoms of olive tree allergy

Common symptoms of this allergy include:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Scratchy throat
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Rash
• Worsening symptoms in people with asthma

Olive tree distribution

Olive trees are often found in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Italy, but they can also be found in Serbia.

The olive pollen allergy season is typically short, starting in mid-April and ending by late May, though it can sometimes extend into June. Despite its brevity, it can be intense due to the large amount of allergenic pollen olive trees produce.

Foods to avoid if olive pollen affects you

Olive pollen shares similar proteins with certain foods, which may trigger a reaction known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Foods to avoid include:

• Peaches
• Pears
• Melons
• Kiwi
• Bananas
• Pineapple

Testing and diagnosis

Olive tree allergy can be hard to identify due to various pollens in the air. However, diagnosis is usually done through the Olive T9 test, a blood test aimed at detecting antibodies the body produces in response to inhaling olive tree pollen. This is often done alongside other tests for different tree pollens.

How to reduce symptoms

Several ways to reduce allergy symptoms include:

• Limiting exposure
• Wearing masks
• Regular house cleaning
• Showering after exposure to pollen
• Washing clothes after being outside
• Keeping windows closed
• Avoiding foods that may trigger reactions

You can also manage symptoms with:

• Antihistamines
• Nasal sprays
• Eye drops

Olive tree allergy is a specific type of allergy that requires careful management and treatment. The Olive T9 blood test can assist in diagnosing this allergy, and you can take it at the IntroLab laboratory on Juzhni Bulevar!