pollens “more and more aggressive due to global warming”, according to an allergist

The sunny weather and summer temperatures of the past few days have not only made people happy: this weather favors the emission and dispersion of high concentrations of grass pollen in the air, alerts the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA). The whole territory is concerned but currently the risk is particularly high in about fifteen departments of the east and south of the country, from the Yonne to the Alpes-Maritimes. Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, Maine-et-Loire, Morbihan, Moselle and Meuse are also in red on the RNSA maps. In the rest of the country, the risk is “raised”.

Pollen “more aggressive with global warming”

Sneezing, itchy eyes, itching, difficulty breathing… These inconveniences will affect more and more French people in the coming decades, warns Jocelyne Just, pediatric allergist and pulmonologist at Trousseau Hospital in Paris.

“There are more and more French people affected by pollen allergy because pollens are becoming more and more aggressive due to global warming”, she explained this Thursday on franceinfo. “The pollen period is longer and the pollen peaks more intense.” Pollution also makes “the more aggressive pollens”.

Result, “pollens are more allergenic and more and more people are allergic (…) Currently, there are 30% of people in France who are affected by allergic rhinitis, whatever the cause. The WHO estimates that if we do nothing about the climate, 50% of the population will be allergic in 2050.”

How to protect yourself?

For sensitive people, the first good reflex is to wash your hair before bed to avoid spreading the particles in the sheets. It is also advisable toventilate your home, early in the morning or late in the evening. It is also recommended to wear glasses to protect his eyes, “even a mask”, says Jocelyne Just “since we have seen that with the Covid having a mask in pollen reduces the inhalation of pollen.”

Eye drops or antihistamines (antiallergics) are also sold without a prescription on the advice of your pharmacist in the event of mild symptoms. For very sensitive people, long-term treatment involving corticosteroids or desensitization can be considered with a doctor.