Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, tearing or dry cough. These are some of the most common symptoms of .
In Spain, according to data from the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC), more than eight million people are allergic to this microscopic grain produced by seed plants such as elm, cedar or maple.
The importance of rain
The good weather, added to the pollution in large cities, triggers the sensitivity of those who suffer from allergies to pollen at this time of year, spring, which officially enters the northern hemisphere today, at 4:33 p.m. .
And although in recent days the rain has made an appearance in many parts of the Spanish geography, we are facing one of the driest winters since the beginning of the century.
According to the figures provided by the Meteorology Statal Agencythis past month of January has been the one with the least rainfall since 2005.
The drought we are experiencing, as the allergist explains moral angelhas a negative effect for those who are allergic to pollen but, nevertheless, it benefits those who are allergic to grasses.
“Pollen levels have been very high throughout the country during the last three years due to the lack of rain, since precipitation prevents them from floating in the air.”
Why this spring will be atypical?
As the president of the SEAIC explains:
“The lack of rain during the winter is giving us the beginning of forecasts that spring for allergy sufferers will not be very bad. But the rains of the last few days may change our expectations, although we believe that it will be a milder season because there will be less flowering of the grasses and less pollination”.
Between the pollen allergiesthe most common are hypersensitivity to cypress, banana, grass and olive pollen.
Precisely one of the most affected areas will be Andalusiaand specifically the province of Jaén, which has more than 580,000 hectares and more than 70 million olive trees.
“As to the grassesthe highest concentration of pollen occurs in the center of the peninsula and in Estremadura. This autonomous community is the area of Spain with the highest levels (last season with up to 10,000 grains/m3 in Cáceres and Badajoz)”, the doctor specifies to this portal.
There are also other pollens that affect seasonal allergy sufferers a lot.
The plane tree, present in many cities as Barcelona either Valladolid, begins its pollination at the end of March and especially during the month of April. It has been calculated that a single tree can harbor 143 billion grains of pollen.
It is also one of the most used trees in our country, whether in streets, parks or walks. and only in MadridAccording to the City Council, there are more than 40,000 shade plane trees, which is why it is one of the most common allergies, especially in large cities.
Why are there more and more allergic to pollen?
The number of pollens does not stop increasing. It is getting bigger every year and, as Dr. Moral says, it is directly related to climate change and the greenhouse gases.
Specifically, CO2 favors the development of plants that cause allergies. And contamination is also another cause of the notable increase in people with seasonal allergies, causing these seeds to be more aggressive.
“When there is contamination, plants are in a harmful environment, which causes a change in their metabolism, producing more aggressive pollens. For this reason, In big cities the pollen is more virulent and causes more allergic diseases”clarifies.
The emission of greenhouse gases, with the added increase in temperatures, plays a fundamental role in the advancement of pollination of some species, with which the period in which they give symptoms is much longer.
“We find that there are more pollens, for a longer time and more aggressive.”
Spring allergy: how to identify it
As with any type of illness, if you suspect you are allergic to pollen (symptoms such as ringing in the chest, shortness of breath, dry cough…), you should see a doctor.
The clinical picture is usually sufficient for diagnosis, although if you want know which pollen causes sensitivitya skin test may be performed.
To detect allergies to pollen or food, a drop of the allergenic extract is deposited on the forearm, since it is a more sensitive area, and then it is punctured with a lancet to introduce it into the most superficial layers of the skin.
The result of this test is obtained after about 15-20 minutes. It is considered positive, that is, that one has an allergy to a certain pollen, when a papule is observed (a bump on the skin one centimeter in diameter).
“The family doctor is valid to give a diagnosis and prescribe a treatment. Although the ideal is have an allergy test to confirm the cause,” he says.
What is the relationship between pollen and food allergies?
plant foods they are closely related to pollens. It is common for a person with an allergy, for example, to grasses, to also have it to fruits such as peach or melon.
The reason, the doctor points out, is because they share proteins during their phylogenetic evolution with high homology between different species. What causes allergy to both pollen and certain fruits and vegetables.
Thus, it is common for those who have an allergy to birch pollen to also have an allergy to apples, peach, other rosaceous fruits, carrots and hazelnuts.
Artemisia pollen allergy is associated with sensitivity to celery, carrot, and spices.
Tips to protect yourself from pollen… and cope with spring
- FFP2 mask. Using outdoors is essential to prevent the entry of pollens into the respiratory tract.
- Ventilation. Yes, but avoiding the central hours of the day (between 12 noon and 6 pm). That is why it must be done, as far as possible, first thing in the day or at night.
- In the car, be careful! The windows must always be closed.
- Pollen filters. both at home and in cars.
- Be careful with the clothes. When you get home it’s…