Allergy sufferers warned with most of france on highest pollen alert

EXPERTS SAY GRASS POLLEN HAS BEEN SPREADING NORTH FROM THE SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY Around four-in-five French departments have been put on high alert over pollen levels. In its most recent

update on Monday (May 22), France’s pollen surveillance network, _Réseau national de surveillance aérobiologique_ (RNSA), said grass pollen was spreading north from the south of the country.

The RNSA said the rain in early May had been both a blessing and a curse, by sticking pollen to the ground and providing respite for allergy sufferers but unfortunately also encouraging the

growth and development of grass pollen. It stated the return of higher temperatures and sunnier weather will see high concentrations of grass pollen in the air, but that storms could bring

temporary relief by again sticking the pollen to the ground. On the bright side, the birch pollen season - the most widespread and impactful pollen in France - is coming to an end, with the

allergy level varying from low- to medium-risk. The risk of nettle pollen (including plantain and sorrel) is low across France except for around the Mediterranean, where it could reach high

levels. The risk of olive tree pollen is also low to high in this region. Florian Laracine, a pharmacist in Grenoble, told FRANCEINFO that half of his customers come in for allergy

treatments and so he is stocking up. “We are seeing more and more patients, but I do not think the epidemic has reached its peak,” he said. “I think the epidemic will get stronger next week.

I believe they have announced the weather will be beautiful next weekend,” he added, referencing May 27-28. PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS The RNSA has published practical advice

for allergy sufferers, including: * Regularly read the POLLEN VIGILANCE MAP ON THEIR WEBSITE * Wash your hair in the evenings * Open the windows and air your house or flat for at least 10

minutes a day before sunrise/after sunset * Avoid drying clothes outside * Keep car windows closed * Avoid doing exercise/sport outside It also noted that pollution in big cities will

exacerbate pollen allergies. PREVIOUS ARTICLES MOST OF FRANCE ON ‘RED ALLERGY ALERT’ FOR GRASS AND OTHER POLLENS ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF FRANCE ON HIGH POLLEN ALERT AFTER WARMER WEATHER