It's spring! The milder weather is here, nature is awakening, but the flowering season also means pollen allergies, which return in force with the warmer weather.
Repeated sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, itchy eyes? If you're feeling affected by these springtime annoyances, it's probably because you're one of the 20% of French people who suffer from a pollen allergy at this time of year.
1 - Understanding pollen allergies
An allergy is the consequence of a malfunction of the immune system which triggers an immediate and often disproportionate reaction to contact with a previously harmless foreign element: the allergen.
Although not contagious, this excessive defense reaction is due to the excessive production of immune system mediators which results in unpleasant physical symptoms known as pollinosis or more commonly as "hay fever".
Pollen is one of the most common allergens, originating from trees, grasses, and herbs. Different types of pollen are released into the atmosphere throughout the year, but pollination times and pollen counts vary depending on the region and climate.
To keep you informed of the situation in real time, the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) provides the application Pollen Alerts to download to your smartphone. You also have the option to receive allergy risk forecasts for the departments of your choice by email every week. This registration is done on the RNSA website .
2 - Diagnosis of pollen allergies
Whether chronic or seasonal, allergies can be a challenge to daily life. Moreover, the number of people affected by pollen allergies is increasing, and some individuals are even allergic without knowing it. Hence the importance of paying attention to the discomfort and getting a diagnosis to find out for sure.
Diagnosing allergies involves a simple skin test. Common allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and grasses, are introduced through a microprick on the skin. The skin reacts within minutes of application, allowing the presence of an allergy to be detected and the cause to be determined.
For more information, ask your healthcare professional, who will likely refer you to an allergy specialist. A consultation with an allergist can help you decide whether or not to undergo pollen desensitization (also known as allergy immunotherapy). However, it's best to do this outside of pollen season, such as in the fall.
3 - Good everyday reflexes
To get through spring with peace of mind, it's important to take good daily steps to reduce your exposure to pollen, which will increase the severity of your discomfort. Here are some tips to help you mitigate this as much as possible:
- Remember to wash your hands, nose, eyes and face as often as possible, rinse thoroughly
- Dust your home regularly, ventilate early in the morning and close it mid-morning
- Do not dry your laundry outside
- Roll up the windows during car journeys because pollen will be happy to get on board
- Wear sunglasses and avoid rubbing your eyes as much as possible
- When returning from a walk in the fresh air (park, forest, etc.), shampoo your hair and change your clothes to avoid depositing accumulated pollen on your pillow.
- Know the pollen calendar according to the region and the season to prevent the risk of allergies (monitor pollen peak alerts).
- If possible, avoid being present while the lawn is being mown.
- Prioritize a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Foods rich in vitamin C (e.g., lemon, parsley, peppers, red fruits, citrus fruits, kiwi, papaya, raw cauliflower, red cabbage, lychee, etc.) contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system.
