With temperatures getting milder, pollen is making a comeback in a large part of France. People with allergies will have to be extra vigilant.
Spring has returned and with it the pollen too. The mild temperatures of recent days have helped this allergen to spread over a large part of the territory and in significant quantities. According to the National Aerobiological Surveillance Networkthe values already exceed those recorded in 2023.
Birch pollen is the most widespread at the moment: it is responsible for the high risk of allergies, particularly in the northern half. In the south, it is more of a mixture between cupressaceae and oak pollen, which causes a lower risk of allergies. To limit allergic reactions, it is advisable to ventilate your home, particularly before and after sunset. It is also necessary to rinse your hair well once you get home. In the car, it is best to leave the windows closed so that pollen does not enter the passenger compartment and when outdoors, avoid gardening or running in nature, so as not to overexpose yourself. Drying your laundry outside is also not a good idea at this time.
According to the RNSA, 18 departments are currently on yellow alert, i.e. at a low risk level. They are all located in the south of France: Gironde, Landes, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Haute-Garonne, Ariège, Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales, Hérault, Gard, Ardèche, Drôme, Vaucluse, Bouches-du-Rhône and Alpes-Maritimes. Corsica is also on yellow alert. However, only Finistère is an exception in the northern half of the country. All the other departments, i.e. 75, are on red alert, with a higher risk.
The weather plays a major role in allergic risk. The concentration of pollen could be lower at the start of the week with the return of the rain and the drop in temperatures, but beware of the wind which disperses the pollen in the air. This should not last long since drier weather is expected from the end of the week.