Just like a cactus, tulips have a very low pollen count. But if you’re planning on adding them to your allergy-free flower garden, make sure you wear gloves when planting them, as the can sometimes give allergy sufferers a mild rash. Believe it or not, you can actually alter certain flowers to make them allergy-friendly.
Allergic reactions to tulips are a well-known occupational disease among tulip growers in the Netherlands. The skin changes that occur on the fingertips are called ” tulip fingers “. In rare cases, contact urticaria has been described with respiratory symptoms.
Are tulips poisonous to humans?
Sometimes curious people noted the bulb’s resemblance to an onion and used them as onion substitutes. All parts of the plant except the petals, however, contain toxic compounds that can cause illness. Tulips contain alkaloid and glycoside compounds that are toxic and are concentrated in the bulb.
Tuliposide is found in other plants, including certain types of lilies. Tuliposide is converted to tulipalin A, which causes the skin to become sensitized–think of this like developing an allergy. After repeated exposures, the skin’s reactions get worse and a painful rash can occur.
Are tulip bulbs Allergy-Friendly?
Two allergens present in tulip bulbs are tulipin A and tulipin B, which can cause skin rashes and nail brittleness. People who handle tulip bulbs in horticultural operations or tulip-packing sheds and have a high exposure to tulip bulb dust can develop symptoms not only in their hands but in parts of the body that haven’t touched the bulb dust.
Another thing we asked ourselves was, what chemicals are in tulip bulbs and lilies?
A chemical called tuliposide is responsible for this reaction. It is found mostly in the outer layers of tulip bulbs. Tuliposide is found in other plants, including certain types of lilies. Tuliposide is converted to tulipalin A, which causes the skin to become sensitized–think of this like developing an allergy.
Are there any hypoallergenic flowers?
None of the flowers are truly considered hypoallergenic, but there are some that rank the least at causing trouble to sensitive nose and skin. Studies say that flowers that allure bees and insects for pollens are generally colorful and hence, attractive. The brighter the color, the higher is the pollen count.
Although there are many plants to avoid putting in a hypoallergenic garden, there are some surprising ones to avoid that are extremely high in pollen count: Chamomile: The flowers of the chamomile plant produce a lot of pollen . Even when the flowers are dried for tea, pollen remains that can affect sensitive people.
Do Roses and tulips carry pollen?
Though roses do carry pollen, the particles are far too big to become airborne, so they won’t cause any problems for most allergy sufferers. Just like a cactus, tulips have a very low pollen count.