Pollen allergies are more severe this year

Serial sneezing, itching, asthma attacks: allergy sufferers are particularly affected this year, due to weather conditions that have favored the dispersion of high concentrations of pollen.

A trend that is expected to increase with global warming.

"In recent weeks, I have suffered much stronger attacks than in previous years at the same time

," says Élodie Germain, 43, a resident of Ile-de-France and allergic to pollen since adolescence.

So much so that this entrepreneur, who has just bought a country house in Normandy, asked herself the question of going there to spend weekends.

," she explains.

She describes disabling symptoms, between "a permanently runny nose, itching all over the face, neck and palate", and - novelty -

More severe allergy symptoms

Associations and allergists confirm having received a large number of calls from patients, even if it is not possible to quantify the phenomenon.

It is also difficult to compare with the two previous years, according to Pascale Couratier, general manager of the French association for the prevention of allergies.

wearing a mask was able to protect against allergies

she underlines.

One thing is certain this year:

,” she summarizes.

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Pollens: what solution to protect against it?

Allergy is a hypersensitivity reaction initiated by a specific immune reaction to a substance foreign to the human body, called an allergen, of which pollen is a part.

To treat themselves, allergists most often prescribe antihistamines, drops or corticosteroids, and possibly a long-term treatment of "desensitization".

Three major pollen periods follow one another during the year.

First, that of tree pollen (olive, plane, birch, oak, etc.).

Then that of grass pollen which corresponds to the period of "hay fever".

The season ends with grass and ambrosia pollens.

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Pollen allergies are not to be taken lightly

Warming temperatures lengthen the pollen season

The distribution of these pollens depends on weather conditions.

Thus, the heat promotes pollination and the wind disperses the pollen grains in the air.

This year, the heat, which appeared early in the season, contributed to the dissemination of a very large quantity of grass pollen.

According to the latest bulletin from the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA), which monitors the content of biological particles in the air, the whole of France is still on red alert for allergic risks.

Severe allergy has a huge impact on quality of life.

Dr Isabelle Bossé, president of the union of allergists

If the bulk of allergies should calm down after the end of June, we can expect longer and probably more intense allergy seasons in the years to come.

The reason: global warming.

“

indicates Samuel Monnier, spokesman for the RNSA.

With the temperatures warming up on the surface of the globe, certain plants or trees are also gaining new territories.

ragweed

notes Samuel Monnier.

In France, approximately 20% of children from the age of 9 and 30% of adults are now affected by pollen allergies, according to the Ministry of Health.

Figures that will inevitably increase in the years to come, warn specialists.

"Global warming will lead to longer pollen seasons, while pollution will make pollen more aggressive," warns Isabelle Bossé, president of the allergists' union.

” she argues.