When you are allergic to pollen (grass, herbaceous plants, birch trees, ash trees, cypress trees, etc.), you know that the arrival of spring rhymes with hay fever which will last 1.2 or sometimes even 4 months. But for some time now allergies have been ever longer and more intense for those who suffer from it. Incessantly runny nose, itchy or constantly itchy eyes, intense itchy throat… Are you affected? But do you know why?
Why am I allergic to pollen?
For the Ministry of Ecology, this phenomenon is due to climate change. Because it’s hot, the pollination period lengthens, which increases pollen production and, inevitably, the amount circulating in the air. This is particularly true of birch, which, studied by the National Observatory on the effects of global warming, is believed to be responsible for allergies in northern France. According to Samuel Monnier:
“In more than thirty years, the amount of pollen has increased simultaneously with the temperature curve. The change in temperatures has only led to an increase in the amount of birch pollen emitted and therefore to an increase in allergies. »
On the government website, we can also read the same theory:
“The distribution of plants is changing: some species typical of the south, such as the olive or cypress, which are very allergenic, are moving north. To this evolution, which modifies the exposure of populations to allergens, we must add other phenomena also linked to rwarming: pollen emissions last longer, pollens are more allergenic and increased pollution stresses plants which start producing more pollen. »
The National Institute of Health and Medical Research establishes the same diagnosis and notes that allergic reactions tend to increase:
“The strong genetic component of allergies has been known for some time. But the increase in the frequency of these diseases is too rapid to be explained by a change in our genetic makeup. However, it is now established that the expression of our genes can be modified by the environment, through epigenetic mechanisms. However, our environment is currently undergoing major changes. »
Air pollution is also implicated in allergies
To make matters worse, air pollution it is also one of the highlighted causes. Insern also explains that some pollutants are also greenhouse gases:
“Air pollution, especially ozone and diesel particles, may also play a role in increasing the frequency of pollen allergies. »
Not to mention that pollution has an irritant effect on the respiratory tract according to the words of the allergist Dina Kabirova a Info TV France.
Is the mask effective in the prevention of pollen allergies?
The answer is yes ! Of course, this won’t eliminate any signs of an allergy, but wearing a mask can help reduce symptoms. At least this is what Professor Frédéric de Blay, president of the French Federation of Allergology (FFAL), and head of the department of allergy, asthma and respiratory pathology of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) says Western France. He explains :
“If they wear a mask, pollen allergic patients actually have fewer symptoms, rhinitis or even asthma. We also conducted a study in Strasbourg, in a pollen allergen exposure chamber where we tested the masks. It has been shown that patients with birch pollen asthma can stay longer in the room when wearing a mask. So the masks protect them from symptoms. Ditto for allergic rhinitis. So it varies, of course, from person to person. 100% of allergies are not necessarily protected by masks, but for a certain number yes, the mask reduces or improves allergic reactions. »
It’s nice to know, even if after so many years of wearing a mask, the simple idea of putting it back on doesn’t always delight us…
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
