“Birch pollen allergy has exploded in recent decades because birch trees have been planted massively in residences,” explains allergist Sophie Silcret-Grieu.
Easter weekend “may be very difficult for people allergic to tree pollen”warns Saturday April 8 on franceinfo doctor Sophie Silcret-Grieu, allergist and member of the association asthma and allergies, while half of the French departments are on red alert for pollens. “It’s not only unpleasant, it can sometimes be a little more serious”, she points out, especially for asthmatics. Birch pollen is particularly pointed. “It has the disadvantage of being very allergenic and above all it can associate food allergies”, she explained. The allergist has distilled some tips for spending the spring in relative comfort. Some patients “may be hampered for four or even five months of the year”she says.
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franceinfo: Are these really difficult days at the moment for allergy sufferers?
Sophie Silcret-Grieu : It’s not going to go well. We are in the middle of the Easter weekend and it could be very difficult for people allergic to tree pollen. It’s a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, itchy throat, but it can go as far as asthma or the aggravation of asthma. It’s not only unpleasant, it can sometimes be a little more serious.
In the most serious cases, what are the good reflexes?
If you already have a treatment because you have already had a diagnosis, you have to take your medication, sometimes increase the doses during this period with the agreement of your doctor. If there is no treatment and you feel symptoms a little more severe than a few sneezes, you absolutely must consult. You should not be left with respiratory discomfort.
Why is birch pollen particularly allergenic?
It is the most abundant allergenic pollen at this time of year. Birch pollen allergy has exploded in recent decades because birch trees have been planted massively. It is a tree that is naturally present at the edge of the forest. But we planted some in residences. It is a tree which is quite beautiful, which has qualities, but which has the disadvantage of being very allergenic and above all which can associate food allergies, what are called cross allergies, which handicap more and more our patients.
What concrete advice do you give to make life easier for people allergic to pollen?
When you come home in the evening, brush your hair, take a shower, wash your face to eliminate the grains of pollen which have settled on your face and which can still exert an allergenic action, even at night. It is necessary to avoid having intense sporting activities right in the pollen when you know you are allergic. I saw last week running the marathon right next to the Bois de Vincennes. For those allergic to tree pollen, it is a source of symptoms. And then, learn about the pollens to which you are allergic and make sure you have an allergological assessment to consider desensitizing the following year.
After tree pollen, the natural cycle of nature gives way to grasses. Is it the second blade?
Here is the appetizer! After that is the great grass pollen season which will arrive between the month of April and the month of July or August depending on the region. It will also affect a large number of people and sometimes the same ones. Some of our patients are allergic to several families of pollens. They can be bothered for four or even five months of the year.