Allergy-Triggering Cedar Pollen Can Also Cause Skin Damage
Japanese cedar is the national tree of Japan. And unfortunately, a known pollen irritant. (Photo: Getty Images)
Bad news for those who already fight cedar fever in the spring: Cedar tree pollen is well known to be an enemy to your sinuses, but a research group affiliated with Shiseido Life Science Research Center and the Japan Science and Technology Agency found that the pollen is not only triggering for your eyes and nose, but also causing skin damage by impairing the protection functions of your skin barrier. The research group specifically studied Cryptomeria japonica, a large evergreen tree that is the national tree of Japan.
According to national Japanese newspaper, the Mainichi Shimbun, the antigen that the Japanese cedar sends out, Cryj1, was applied to cultured skin where the outermost epidermal layer was removed with cellophane tape. Compared with skin that was just dapped with water — no pollen — the pollen-covered skin was much dryer. The researchers noted that when you remove the outermost layers of the skin, oily secretions should develop in order to recover the skin barrier. But the Cryj1 antigen is preventing the oily secretions from developing, thereby drying out the skin and worsening inflammation.
“Even individuals with healthy skin experience lower skin barrier functioning from stress and other causes,” Shiseido Life Science Research Center chief researcher Mitsuhiro Denda said. “If [the Cryj1] protein gets into the skin and decreases the skin barrier function even further, it is possible that a negative spiral could be unleashed, whereby inflammation worsens, itchiness increases, scratching ensues, and the inflammation then becomes chronic.”
Denda advises to wash off the pollen immediately if you come into contact with it, regardless of whether you’re actually allergic to cedar pollen. It may be better to just keep your appreciation of cedar wood relegated to candle scents.
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