Ash trees are in the Oleaceae family of plants, which includes olive trees and lilac. The pollen is significant in Spring and as a wind dispersed pollen it can contribute towards the symptoms of seasonal rhinitis (hayfever).

There is only 1 pollen allergen associated with ash pollen, and it is associated with airways.

Fra e 1 is an Ole e 1-like protein, which is a protein found in olive tree pollen. This protein has high cross-reactivity with the main allergens of other plants in the Oleaceae family. Ole e 1 is the marker allergen for diagnosing these linked allergens and they are often called "Ole e 1-like". Most patients with ash pollen allergy are linked to this allergen.

Ash pollen season is from late Winter to late Spring. This varies from country to country. It is considered to have medium to high allergenicity, but is often overlooked as it's pollen season coincides with birch trees, which are the most common cause of pollen allergies.

An allergy to ash pollen is strongly associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever).

An ash pollen allergy is also linked to asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis.

Other Ole e 1 pollens include pigweed, sugar beet, crocus, olive, privet, grasses, plantain, mesquite and lilac.

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