Did you think you see the end of your allergies with summer? It is not. These would even strengthen a little, in these particularly hot days. Here is why.
Allergies and heat: an explosive combination
In reality, the heat, combined with wind and dry time, promotes the release and massive dispersion of pollens, especially those of the grasses – omnipresent in parks, gardens and roadside.
“It’s a very complicated week for allergies”alert Samuel Monnier, aerobiology engineer, on France Info, while the whole territory is on orange alert in pollen in mid-June. An ideal meteorological cocktail for pollens to remain in suspension in the air … and which should last. In question: global warming, which advances flowering periods (from December for hazelnuts) and prolongs them. “”Climate change not only promotes longer seasons, but also an increase in pollens concentrations “confirms the epidemiologist Kévin Jean.
Atmospheric pollution also plays an aggravating role: carbon dioxide stimulates plant growth and their pollen production. Everything is there for an explosive cocktail.
Why are your symptoms also more powerful? Dr. Kierzek’s opinion
On the sneezing and irritation side, we are also in the middle of a festival. Indeed, as Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, recalls, the heat acts as an amplifier of allergic symptoms. In addition to the dispersion of pollens, the body itself is more sensitive, more reactive.
Ozone peaks, frequent when it is very hot, irritate the respiratory tract, making the mucous membranes more sensitive to allergens present in the air. “”The heat also dries up the mucous membranes of the nose and the throat, which facilitates the penetration of pollens and other irritating particles ” specifies our expert. On the skin, excessive sweating can intensify certain skin reactions, “Like eczema or hives, especially in people already allergic”.
Finally, when it is combined with humidity, heat promotes the development of molds, also very allergenic. So many reasons to redouble vigilance during the hot episodes.
Good reflexes to limit symptoms
Here are Dr. Kierzek’s recommendations to protect himself as well as possible:
Avoid direct exposure:
- Once early in the morning or late in the evening, when the pollens are less present;
- Wear glasses and hat outside to avoid contact with eyes and hair.
Favor good anti-allergen hygiene:
- Rinse your hair and change in the evening to eliminate accumulated pollens;
- Frequently wash the sheets and covers if mites allergy.
Hydrate your body and mucous membranes:
- Drink abundantly to limit the irritation of the respiratory tract;
- Apply a hypoallergenic moisturizer in case of sensitive skin.
Adapt your treatment:
- Use antihistamines (oral or nasal spray) in prevention;
- Install air conditioning with HEPA filter, cleaned regularly;
- Apply cold compresses on the eyes in case of allergic conjunctivitis.
Common sense advice that can help spend this period with more serenity.