Elderberry

Elderberry, also known as Sambucus nigra, is not only a plant used in traditional medicine but also one of the inhalant allergens. An allergy to elderberry occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to the pollen of this plant. If you’d like to find out whether it affects you, visit IntroLab laboratory on Juzhni Bulevar and take a blood test to determine if you’re allergic to elderberry.

How does an elderberry allergy develop?

An elderberry allergy develops when the immune system mistakenly identifies the pollen of this plant as harmful, triggering a chain of reactions leading to allergic symptoms. This is common in people with a hypersensitive immune system.

Symptoms of an elderberry allergy

Symptoms of this allergy include:

• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy throat or ears
• Asthmatic symptoms, such as difficulty breathing
• In some cases, skin reactions may occur

Diagnosing an elderberry allergy

This allergy is typically diagnosed through a specific IgE blood analysis, which determines if a person is sensitive to the pollen of this plant. A high level of IgE antibodies to elderberry pollen indicates a possible allergy. The elderberry test involves a blood sample sent for further analysis, with results available within 15 days of sampling.