Can wearing a mask protect against pollen allergies?

in collaboration with

Pr Alain Didier (pulmonologist-allergist)

Spring began on March 20 and it brings with it its share of allergies, those concerned know this well. Some of them also choose to keep their mask outside, but does this initiative make sense?

The mask, partly useful only against allergies

The allergy is triggered by contact with an allergen, and results in well-known symptoms: itchy, runny nose, itchy and crying eyes, sneezing…”In the case of pollens, the surgical mask protects the allergic person a little because it covers the nose and the mouth and avoids the contact of these mucous membranes with the pollens. On the other hand, the eyes remain exposed and it is through this that allergies are still triggered, even if they are less strong” explains Professor Didier. As you will have understood, the mask does not completely protect against allergies, in particular very sensitive people, who will be exposed by eye damage.

The mask can therefore be worn for outdoor activity, such as jogging, for example. “The protection will be partial, but why not. In any case, it is not possible to practice physical activity with a more filtering mask, otherwise you will run out of air” says the specialist. “The best thing is to avoid going out in the middle of the day, when the quantities of pollen are the most important” rather advises Professor Didier.

“The beautiful sunny days with a little wind will be the most loaded with pollen and therefore the most risky for allergy sufferers”. So avoid playing sports or even going out on those days, if possible. Or exercise very early in the morning, when the air is least laden with allergens.

Watch out for pollution too

To find out in advance the amount of pollen in the air in your area, you can consult the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network website. https://www.pollens.fr/which notes the levels of pollen and other allergens in the air in different colors.

Pay attention also to the days of pollution peaks. “This is common sense advice, but allergy sufferers should be more careful in times of pollution. Indeed, the latter breaks the pollens and facilitates their penetration into the body” explains the allergist.

Wash your hair at night

And if you suffer from spring allergies, Professor Didier recommends a very simple trick that can save your night: wash your hair at the end of the day. “Hair is a great pollen trap. If an allergic person does not rinse their hair at night, they risk breathing in their allergen continuously all night long.. With the consequence of triggering symptoms of nocturnal respiratory discomfort, which combine a runny nose and congested sinuses, with the added bonus of regular sneezing…

A very simple trick, finally, to avoid a lot of inconvenience!