Allergies

[alorindanya]

I recently purchased my first orchids (6 of them) two weeks ago. Since that time, I have had a terrible sinus infection brought on by allergies, my doctor tells me. Could it be the orchids in my home? the moss they came in (which was removed) or the bark mix I placed them in?

[kiki-do]

Hello, I am no expert on allergies, but I read somewhere on the internet that orchids are the least troublesome plant when it comes to allergies. It said that most people who are allergic to flowers, can tolerate orchids....usually. Didn't read all the details, sorry...but if you punched in orchid allergies...perhaps it might come up???? Hope I helped more than confused.
kiki

[tbentl]

Could be the change in weather -- it seems like I keep sinus infections from fall to spring.

[Oldguypops]

Sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly!
It's really hard to say what would be triggering allergies.
Did you purchase several different kinds or all the same kind of orchid?
It's possible you could be allergic to one of them, all of them, or very likely none of them.
I guess the first question is, do you have other plant allergies? If so, it's possible they are affecting you.

I certainly wish you and hope you can locate the cause.

Keep us posted.

Chris

[cb977]

I received a Blc George King 'Serendipity' in October and as soon as I took a big sniff of it (smells wonderful ) , my allergies kicked into high gear for four days!

It may be one particular plant you have in the group.

[snow]

i.ve read somewhere that spagnum moss can cause allergies. that,s why it is always reccomended to wash one hands after handeling

[Ray]

My guess would be a fungus growing in old medium.

Orchids, by themselves, are not particularly allergenic. The pollinia are waxy balls not dispersed in air, so the only truly orchid related issue would be the perfumes,

[kavanaru]

Hi Alorindanya,

As Kiki said, people who are allergic to flowers (actually to pollen) can normally tolerate orchids very well. The reason for this is that Orchids' pollen is compacted in the pollinia, which is normally waxy inmost orchids, and therefore will not spread as a nasty powder in the air.

However, the origin of an allergy can be very diverse. You can indeed be allergic to your orchids (some people react allergic to the smell of them, but this is very rare – you should then react allergic to other scents too, including some commercial perfumes). Then there is also the possibility of having a reaction to any chemical that had been applied to the orchids before you bought them (or which you applied after buying them); to any germs in the growing medium (e.g- fungi, bacteria); to the culture medium itself; etc… The only way you can be sure is with an allergy test, for which you should take samples of different things and bring the to the MD for the tests.

However, an (acute) Sinusitis (or Sinus Infection) can be also be triggered by viral (e.g. a cold) or bacterial (e.g. Pneumonia) infections, and in any case, it is not a process that just go from now to now, without previous symptoms. Have you had any nasal allergies during the last two weeks? Especially, when being in “contact” with your orchids? If this is not the case, most probably you are not allergic to them or the allergenics related to them. Have you had a cold during the last two weeks? Have you been exposed to extremely cold and dry weather (so cold and dry that your nose started itching or aching) during the last two weeks? If yes, most probably the mucosa lining your sinus have been damaged and become an easy target for viral/bacterial attacks.

But as I previously said, only a good allergologist can help you to find out the origins of your allergies.

P.D.- I would not discard the orchids, unless I am100% sure they are the reason of my allergies… and even though, I would give them a chance, as allergies can disappear after an adaptation period or “after the allergens are washed out of the plants”

[Dorothy]

I hope you feel better soon
Oh My!
Get rid of one's orchids .. that's blasphemy!

But if it comes down to doing just that ...
you can always send them to me

[Grandma M]

Thanks Ramone, for the detailed answer. That is good info. I'm going to copy it and file it away as an answer for people who ask me that same question.