People who suffer from seasonal allergies associated with pollen may present symptoms of different severity.
Allergies such as rhinitis or conjunctivitis can be managed with mild symptoms, such as runny or itchy nose and sneezing, which can be controlled with antihistamines.
However, other allergies such as asthma or severe rhinoconjunctivitis can seriously interfere with the health and routine of these people . These symptoms can also be partially prevented with antihistamines, but they must be taken in due time.
How does the appearance of sudden pollen affect?
The flowering process of plants, during which pollen is released into the air, can occur in a matter of hours . Depending on environmental factors and the flowering cycles of different species, the pollen content in the air can reach very high levels in certain regions very quickly.
If a person suffers from pollen-allergic asthma and is suddenly exposed to a high concentration of pollen, he or she may have an asthma attack that requires the urgent use of bronchodilators or even hospitalization .
Although each species of tree, shrub or flower has estimated flowering periods, the exact moment can vary depending on other environmental factors or internal factors of the plant itself.
For this reason, it can be very difficult to predict when pollen appears in the air and take precautions if you suffer from severe allergy symptoms. Faced with this situation, specialists in plant allergies and flowering have designed pollen sampling stations .
pollen detectors
There are some machines that detect pollen grains and they are usually installed in different parts of a locality or country, normally somewhat far from urban centers, and they act as giant pollen radars.
The air carries the pollen that is analyzed inside the counter . The results can be seen on the machine itself, depending on the model, but they are also sent to the corresponding central office.
In the plants, the counts of the different types of pollens are collected, analyzed and published, either on public websites associated with health organizations or in mobile applications.
These counting machines are active throughout the year, except when some maintenance task is necessary, and the databases are constantly updated. Thus, the web pages or applications that collect the information are capable of giving the pollen count in real time in the region that is chosen.
Having this information is not only useful for people who suffer from allergies and need to stock their medicine cabinet with medicines before the pollen season, but it can also be interesting for events or organized outdoor activities .
Especially in the first weeks of spring, after the winter months, there is a tendency to move some activities that until then were done inside to outside, to take advantage of the arrival of the sun and good weather. Bars and restaurants open their terraces, and gyms are replaced by laps in the park.
If information on pollen counts is available, plans can be made without allergy spoiling the party . Although the lucky ones without allergies may not notice any difference, known allergy sufferers will appreciate it.
Last but not least, the change in the content of pollen in the air is a very useful environmental and ecological data for researchers of climate, pollinating animals and biological cycles of plants.
Where can this information be found?
A very useful and rigorous tool is the website of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC) , specifically in the section on environmental levels of pollens .
Here you can select the specific type of tree or flower from a selection and a series of colored dots appear on the map indicating the amount of pollen in the air (in grains per cubic meter). Red dots indicate levels above 130 grains/m 3 , orange between 50 and 130 grains/m 3 and green below 50 grains/m 3 .
The information on the number of grains is an indirect measure but it correlates with the amount of allergen . Depending on the type of pollen and environmental conditions, it may contain more or fewer molecules of allergen (the substance that causes symptoms), but the more grains there are in the air, the more allergen there is. In addition, for some plant species, next to the amount of pollen for the day, the forecast for the next few days for that same species in that region is indicated.
This toolkit helps both specialists and patients prepare for pollen allergy season . Early information can help prepare for and avoid more serious symptoms, or at least be prepared for them.
References:
Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC). Environmental levels of pollens. 2022. https://www.polenes.com/es/home
