Cherry blossoms might symbolize renewal and beauty, but for some, they also come with sneezing, sniffles, and a stash of antihistamines.
Take one visitor to Yeouido, Seoul’s iconic cherry blossom destination, who ended a romantic weekend battling a sore throat, sneezing, and a runny nose. At first, she chalked it up to a seasonal cold—until she realized it was her first bout of a pollen allergy.
“I was surprised,” she said. “I didn’t even touch the trees—I just looked at the flowers.”
Why Pollen Allergies Spike in Spring
Spring is prime allergy season. As trees awaken and flowers bloom, they release pollen into the air—tiny particles that can irritate your respiratory system and trigger allergic rhinitis.
While blaming the cherry blossoms is tempting, experts say they’re not the real culprits. Cherry blossom pollen is heavy and sticky, meaning it doesn’t travel far through the air. Instead, the wind-pollinated trees lining walkways and city parks—like oak, birch, alder, elm, chestnut, and sycamore—cause the trouble. Their fine, airborne pollen stays suspended for hours and easily enters the eyes, nose, and lungs.
Common Symptoms That Mimic a Cold
Because the symptoms of pollen allergies are similar to those of a mild cold, they’re easy to dismiss—until they escalate:
- Sneezing and a clear runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Scratchy throat or dry cough
- Fatigue or mild headaches
- In severe cases: fever, shortness of breath, or asthma attacks
Those with allergic asthma should be particularly cautious during high-pollen periods.
How to Prevent or Manage Spring Allergy Symptoms
It is essential to plan for both prevention and response. On high-pollen days, it is best to avoid outdoor activities. If you must go outside, wear a hat, glasses, mask, or other protective gear to reduce direct contact with pollen. After leaving the house, you must shake off your clothes and wash your face and hands. Using an air purifier and closing windows is also beneficial to keep pollen out of the house.
You can also consider taking medicine. Nasal sprays or antihistamines can help with symptoms. If they are severe or persistent, you can go to a hospital for immunotherapy and a precise diagnosis of the allergy’s cause. Planning outdoor activities will be easier, especially if you have an allergy test to determine which plant pollen you are sensitive to beforehand.
Timing Is Everything
So, should allergy sufferers give up on seeing cherry blossoms? Not always. If you check the pollen forecast and prepare for it, you can enjoy the cherry blossom viewing experience to the fullest, as cherry blossoms themselves rarely cause allergies. Another option is to go indoors the day after a rainstorm or early in the morning when pollen concentration is low to see cherry blossoms.
The uninvited pollen and spring romance are two sides of the same coin. We must exercise even greater caution this year, as the cherry blossom season coincides with the birch pollen season. Cherry blossoms are stunning to gaze at simply. A little allergy know-how goes a long way in keeping your spring fling sneeze-free.
