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With the mild weather, allergies are back in France, announces the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network in its latest bulletin. If the entire country is affected by the first birch pollens, the Mediterranean region suffers from cypress allergies.
Take out the sunglasses, but also the tissues. The arrival of spring currently coincides with the return of different pollens capable of causing unpleasant allergies.
Birch pollens arrive
In a publication dated March 20, the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) reports that “the first birch pollens are arriving this week in a good part of France, mainly north of a Bordeaux-Grenoble line”. It would only be a start.
To date, and taking into account the weather conditions which have prevailed since the beginning of the year, the forecast model of the RNSA-Météo France partnership gives the date of March 23 (i.e. tomorrow) as the first day when the concentration in the air of birch pollen should be sufficient to cause an allergy risk in allergy sufferers. From the end of March to the end of April, birch pollen should be present over a large part of the country.
“Concentrations will be high on beautiful sunny days.” warns the network.
Cypresses ignite the Mediterranean rim
But for the moment, the Mediterranean region seems to have gotten ahead of allergic reactions due to pollens from the cupressaceae family, which includes cypresses in particular.
“With favorable winds, generous sunshine, and remarkably mild temperatures sometimes exceeding 20°C between the Pyrenees, Languedoc, and all around the Mediterranean, the January records could be approached, or even exceeded” alerts the network.
These weather conditions should favor the emission and dispersion of pollen in the air. “The risk of allergy is already at the medium level and will quickly increase to the high level, persisting for several weeks.”
In addition, the RNSA reminds us, the mixture of poplar, hornbeam, willow, alder, ash, birch and cypress pollens could increase the risk of allergy to the average level in several departments.
Quick, treatment!
The site also warns that these pollens are capable of causing numerous ocular, nasal and even respiratory discomforts in allergy sufferers.
“Allergy sufferers must follow the treatments prescribed by their doctor or consult them and limit their exposure to pollen” concludes the bulletin.
Slide: Helpful Tips for Combating Spring Allergies