There are two types of people in this world: people who love spring and those whom the mere sight of a bouquet of daisies can send them running. For the latter, springtime means one thing -- pollen. And as someone who calls the sticky stuff secreted by trees and flowers “death dust”, I can sympathize with the feeling.
So what exactly is this powdery, yellow substance that makes us reach for the nearest box of Kleenex? Well, the answer isn’t pretty. Pollen is basically plant sperm. That’s right, when trees, flowers, and other types of flora are looking for love, they send out their dust to hitch rides on air currents, insects, or whatever else it can land on to spread their genetic material. Well, we always knew Spring was romantic, right?
Without getting into a full-on “birds and bees” talk about plants, the more scientific answer is that pollen is something called a microgametophyte of a seed-bearing plant. These ultralight granules are produced by the male parts and then find their way to the female parts of the same species of plants. They also have a relatively hard coat of sporopollenin which protects the precious DNA inside, ensuring fertilization will take place. Unfortunately for us seasonal allergy sufferers, these airborne cells are hard to avoid and can cause some nasty symptoms thanks to their tendency to aggravate noses and inflame airways. Keep in mind that your body is inclined to fight off any cells that it perceives to be foreign or threatening. For many of us, this includes pollen particles which cause a histamine reaction.
So what can we do? Besides following some Spiffy-approved cleaning and lifestyle advice, you can enter to win a free Spiffy & Shine detail! Keeping your car clean and free of pollen and dust is a surefire way to keep your nose happy. Follow the link to enter before May 1st, 2018.
