PublishedAugust 9, 2022, 10:04 PM
SuissePeople allergic to pollen suffered particularly in 2022
There have been few pollen-free days since the beginning of the year. It is advisable to start desensitization now in view of next season.
Hay fever sufferers have been put to the test this spring.
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Rare are those with allergies who have not sneezed profusely in recent months. Indeed, the pollen year 2022 has been particularly daunting for them. Because there have been few days without pollen since the start of high concentrations in January, notes aha! Swiss Allergy Center, in a press release on Tuesday.
It all started with the exceptionally early flight of pollen from hazel trees, which started 20 to 30 days earlier than the average from 1991 to 2020. These trees indeed flowered at the very beginning of the year north of the Alps. As a result, the aha! has been in high demand since January, underlines the center.
Very important birch pollen
The ensuing alder and birch pollens were also abundant. For this last tree species, flowering was particularly intense on sunny days, ie mid-March. Its pollen concentration was high for 16 to 29 days on the Plateau and 36 days in Ticino. It’s 13, even 16 days, with a load higher than the average, precise aha!
These pollens were then practically directly replaced from mid-April by those of the grasses, also ahead of the average. “People suffering from hay fever were therefore really put to the test from the beginning of May on the northern slope of the Alps”, underlines the center. Very high concentrations were measured there between 6 and 21 days depending on the stations, i.e. more often than the average here too.
Start your desensitization now
Regarding regional differences: Pollen concentrations were generally higher in German-speaking Switzerland than in French-speaking Switzerland and Valais.
As a result, allergy sufferers currently benefit from respite. They should take the opportunity to begin desensitization now, recommends aha! Goal: to have fewer problems next season. “Disorders related to hay fever are thus reduced by 75 to 80% and the consumption of medication can be significantly reduced,” according to Roxane Guillod, deputy head of specialized services at aha! Swiss Allergy Center.
Warming makes pollen more aggressive
Many people are allergic to pollen. And the number of people affected by this evil could increase over the years. “The WHO estimates that if nothing is done to stop global warming, 50% of the population will be allergic in 2050,” said Jocelyne Just, pediatric allergist and pulmonologist at Trousseau Hospital in Paris. last may. According to her, pollens are more and more aggressive due to global warming. The rise in temperatures indeed leads to a greater production of pollen from plants, according to the specialist.