Grass pollen reaches highest risk level: severe hay fever peak due to dry and warm weather | Science & Planet

Lots of sun and summer temperatures, it also has a disadvantage. The grasses spread their pollen en masse. Very dry periods are ideal for them. People who have an allergy to grass pollen will have noticed it in recent days. The time of sneezing, watery eyes and running nose has come again. There doesn’t seem to be any improvement either. In fact, the situation is even worsening. This is clear from the forecast maps of the RMI.

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For example, almost all of Flanders will turn purple by Wednesday. This corresponds to the highest risk level ‘very high’. This means that very high levels of pollen in the air are expected for the next few days. Most people with an allergy will develop symptoms because of this. It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid all outdoor activities as much as possible if you suffer from hay fever.

The Belgian Aerobiological Surveillance Network of Sciensano also shows a clear increase in the number of grains of pollen observed in the measuring stations. The limit of 50 grains per m³ was already exceeded at the end of May. That is the threshold from which people with hay fever can suffer. We already reached a first peak at the end of last week. The number of pollen grains was then 250 per m³. After a small dip, we are now in an upward trend again. Yesterday there were again 200 pollen grains per m³ in the air and that number will only increase in the coming days. It remains to be seen whether we will approach or perhaps exceed last year’s record. At the beginning of June, more than 400 grains per m³ were observed in the air, the highest daily concentration in 40 years.

Hay fever is a popular term for a pollen allergy. The immune system considers pollen grains of certain trees, grasses and herbs as dangerous invaders and makes antibodies against them. If you then come into contact with the pollen again, you will suffer from all kinds of symptoms within a few minutes to a maximum of two hours.

Most hay fever sufferers experience sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes. For others, it feels like they have the flu. There are also people who get stuffy. Some even have sleep or concentration problems. And all this for weeks or months at a time. For many, this is a major impact on quality of life.

First of all, there are the conventional solutions such as taking medication or using nasal sprays. In addition, it also helps to wear glasses and a mouth mask as an extra barrier. It is also best to keep windows and doors closed and only air your house in the morning or after a rain shower. Also, use a paper handkerchief instead of cloth and throw your clothes in the wash when you get home. Finally, it is best to rinse your nose and wash your hair to get rid of all pollen. If you are having a lot of trouble, talk to your doctor about it.

EXPLAINED. Hay fever: what is it and what can you do about it?