As those of us that suffer from hay fever may well have already noticed the grass pollen season has begun. The public health science institute Sciensano reports that grass pollen concentrations have risen during the past few weeks and are set to peak in a few weeks’ time. Grass pollen is the most common cause of pollen allergy in Belgium.
Bad news for hay fever sufferers as grass pollen levels are set to peak later this month
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The grass pollen season runs from May to July, a period during which more than 100 types of grass are in bloom. Although levels have increased, at 15 pollen particals per M³ of air (in Brussels) grass pollen concentrations are still relatively low.
Sciensano’s Astha Tiwari explains that "Only once concentrations exceed 50 pollen particals per M³ of air do most people that suffer from allergies start to display symptoms. This threshhold is usually crossed from June”.
Nevertheless, there will already be some people that already have symptoms.
Tips for hay fever sufferers
Follow the recommendations and the treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Avoid efforts and outdoor activities, indoor sports are suitable.
Nasal irrigation with isotonic saline solution
Keep windows closed when traveling by car.
Moderate the aeration of the house during the pollen season.
Wear sunglasses to avoid contact of allergens with the eyes. Especially in dry and windy weather when the pollen concentrations are high.
Wash your hair before going to bed.
Staying at the coast is often beneficial for people with an allergy for birch pollen.
Do not dry your clothes outside.
Use paper handkerchiefs.
Avoid mowing lawns during the grass pollen season.
Grass pollen is the most common cause of pollen allergy in Belgium. At least 1 in 6 people here suffer from grass pollen allergy to some degree. They experience sneezing, stinging, itchy and watering eyes and/or a stuffy or runny nose.
Grass pollen can spread over hundreds of kilometres in the wind, so even areas with little grass can still experience high exposure to grass pollen.
Research has recently shown that nitrogen increases grass pollen production. Up to 6 times more pollen has been measured on fertilised grasslands than on unfertilised grasslands. At the same time, pollen from fertilised grasslands appears to cause a higher incidence of allergic reaction.