Spring is just around the corner, and you might be battling pollen, mold, and more every time you step outside. But if you're experiencing allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, bloodshot eyes, or a cough, to name a few, the threat could also be invading your home in the form of houseplants. Four houseplants in particular are known to “make breathing more difficult if you have certain allergies to pollen or mold,” according to allergy drug company Flonase. Learn which plants need to be removed.
Related: 9 houseplants that improve your breathing.
Ferns are beloved for their lush foliage and low-maintenance properties, but ferns can make their symptoms worse for some people with allergies or asthma.
“Ferns are not poisonous, which makes them a common choice as an indoor houseplant, making them a good option for people with children and pets,” explains the experts at Flonase. “However, people with allergies can have a bad reaction to ferns. Inhaling fern spores can make allergies worse.”
carly gaciaThe certified wellness coach warns that ferns are “prone to mold in the soil, which can also cause allergies.”she tells best life“Inhaling mold spores can cause typical allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itching.”
Next, Flonase allergy experts warn that weeping figs can also cause unpleasant symptoms. “Weeping fig, also known as Ficus benjamina, is a relatively common indoor allergen,” the researchers wrote.
So far, past studies have confirmed that weeping figs can “cause allergic rhinitis and asthma.”
Ficus plants can also emit small particles of latex, a compound similar to but distinct from its sap. “These particles can irritate the eyes and skin and cause sneezing,” says Gacia.
Related: 7 garden plants and trees that make you sneeze.
2014 study published in journal Allergy and Asthma Litigation They looked at a variety of ornamental plants to determine which plants caused the most pronounced allergic and asthmatic reactions. They enrolled 150 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls and performed skin prick tests to determine each subject's level of sensitization to various species.
They found that the rate of positive skin tests to ornamental plants was particularly high in patients with a known history of allergic rhinitis, food sensitivities, and exposure to indoor plants. The yucca plant caused the most reactions, affecting more than half of the study subjects.
“Although this plant is attractive indoors, it's best avoided if you have allergies,” agrees the experts at Flonase.
Ivy is also a houseplant that can cause symptoms in cases of hypersensitivity. Experts say contact dermatitis can occur, especially when you come into contact with plants.
“Sensitivity to English ivy is more common than imagined,” says one study. JAMA Dermatology. “This common ornamental plant can cause dermatitis not only from its leaves and stems, but also from its roots. We emphasize that this dermatitis can clinically resemble dermatitis caused by poison ivy. That is important.”
It is also worth noting that although there is no botanical relationship between English ivy and poison ivy, both can cause allergic reactions. “English ivy is not as dangerous as its similarly named poison ivy, but it can still cause mild allergies and irritation,” Fronase's team writes.