Dry cough, itchy eyes, itchy nose, shelves of handkerchiefs stormed…. The pollen is already back to the great damnation of allergic people. The phenomenon is not anecdotal when we know that at least 25% of French people suffer from it, all ages combined, according to the WHO (World Health Organization).
Today is Mardi Gras and it’s the carnival of pollens which are out and will be very abundant in the air to annoy those with allergies with very mild and sunny weather throughout France which will encourage the flowering of trees ( cypresses, alders, hazel trees, ash trees…) pic.twitter.com/55vGddvhbp
— National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (@rnsa_pollen) February 21, 2023
According to the latest report from the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network, dated Tuesday, February 21, the risk of allergies is already high in almost all of the country, and especially in the South. In question, the mild temperatures.
“The pollens of Cupressaceae-Taxaceae (cypress…) will bother allergy sufferers around the Mediterranean with a high level risk of allergy, announces the RNSA The risk of allergy will also be high over a large part of the country for alder pollen (betulaceae family) which is increasing in power. The risk of allergy will be medium to locally high for hazel pollens (which are also from the Betulaceae family) and lower for ash pollens.
“Willows, hornbeams, parietaires (Urticaceae), mimosas (Acacia) and poplars are also starting to flower with a risk of allergy which will not, however, exceed the low level, relativizes the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network, but with so-called proximity allergies possible in sensitive people.”
Watch out for cypress pollen
With this winter looking like a fake spring, special attention must be paid to cypress pollen which is very allergenic, warns the RNSA. Their allergenic potential is strong, especially for the best known and most feared by all allergy sufferers, namely the common cypress-cypress of Provence (Cupressus sempervirens). People with allergies must follow the treatments prescribed by their doctor or consult him and limit their exposure to pollen.
On the other hand, during this period, atmospheric pollution in large cities – including Marseille – can modify the sensitivity threshold of those allergic to pollen and exacerbate the symptoms by weakening the respiratory tract in particular.
Pollen in February, normally the phenomenon is rare. However, with climate change, this situation could recur in the winters to come.
Only the return of the rain expected this Thursday can bring temporary respite to allergy sufferers.