While pollen allergies are back in February, the only treatment remains “desensitization”, recalls Sophie Silcret-Grieu.
“It is very important to consult if you have symptoms suggestive of asthma”, advises Sophie Silcret-Grieu, guest of franceinfo Wednesday, February 22. This Parisian allergist recalls that “desensitization”, “the only treatment capable of acting on the allergic disease itself”, must be done “at a distance from the pollen season”. Pollen allergies start in France as early as February. The World Health Organization indicates that in 2050, 50% of the population will be allergic.
franceinfo: Are allergies back in your practices?
Sophie Silcret-Grieu: The pollens are back. In the Paris region, we have more to do with pollens from the birch family, in particular alder and hazel. They have similar pollens as birch which cause the same symptoms. We see people who are beginning to be very embarrassed. Especially since the appearance of pollen is accompanied by a pollution peak which amplifies allergic reactions. The classic symptoms of allergy are what is commonly known as hay fever i.e. sneezing, itchy nose and throat, itchy and runny palate, ears, eyes . It can go so intense that people can’t sleep. They feel like they are in a flu-like state and are extremely tired. They find it difficult to work, to concentrate. If these symptoms worsen, you may have genuine asthma attacks.
What should you do when you are allergic to pollen?
There are two types of actions. At the time, it is necessary to take antihistamine treatments. Some now do not sleep at all, which is much more comfortable. There are also local treatments in the form of a spray or drops to put in the eyes and nose. In case of asthma, specific treatment is required. This is why it is very important to consult if you have symptoms evoking asthma, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing. Antihistamine treatments are not enough to control asthma. You should know that the only treatment that is capable of acting on the allergic disease itself is desensitization. It must be done away from the pollen season. This is to be expected a little later. But it is interesting to already contact an allergist to prepare this treatment. There is no 100% effective treatment, but we have very good results in 80% of cases. The situation of the patients improves insofar as a correct diagnosis has been made and the treatment is carried out, according to a correct protocol. The results are good with treatments that are still less restrictive than they used to be. They are generally well tolerated. For an allergy that’s really bothersome, it’s worth it.
Does the arrival of allergies in February surprise you?
Climate change means that we have pollen seasons that are a little earlier, a little denser, sometimes longer. But the month of February is a classic month for the pollination of alder and hazel. In the south, it is the peak of cypress pollen which will last until April. There’s nothing incredible about having pollen. We have all the more when the weather is mild, fine and dry. From this point of view, the rain which is necessary for other reasons, will also be useful for allergy sufferers. It allows pollen to be stuck to the ground and in this way, they bother allergy sufferers less. They penetrate less into the respiratory tract.
How many people are allergic in France?
This proportion is undeniably increasing. In about thirty years, we have gone from 5% to nearly 30% of the allergic population. It is enormous. We all know allergies in the family if we are not ourselves. There is unquestionably a spectacular increase in the number of allergy sufferers. You know that WHO extrapolations indicate that in 2050, 50% of the population will be allergic. This cruelly highlights the lack of allergists in relation to the allergic population. This explains the unfortunately too long waiting time. According to the cabinets, it is between two and six months.
Why are some people allergic and not others?
It’s multifactorial. There are several causes and there is always the meeting of a ground which predisposes to allergies. This terrain is often genetic. That’s why we often have families with allergies. But that doesn’t explain everything. There are also environmental factors. It is not uncommon for allergies that were latent to appear after a move, after a change of environment, after childbirth, etc. All these changes to both the environment and the human body cause the manifestations to break out. It is also believed that less exposure to diseases in early childhood promotes a rather allergic behavior of the immune system.