Rome, 16 April 2024 – Allergy to pollen: but when the little one arrivesor? There are alien species that make the situation worse? And what are the mistakes to avoid? Again: can it be cured? Finally: is this year really an explosion? These are all questions that each of us asks ourselves, in a context of constant worsening of the data. We looked for answers from Renato Ariano, specialist of the AAIITO, association of Italian territorial and hospital allergists, immunologists. You have been studying pollen all your life and have been editing regional bulletins with forecasts for 22 years.
The monumental cypress of the La Scola village, on the Bolognese Apennines
At this link you will find region-by-region bulletins and pollen forecasts
Meanwhile, a premise: “In Italy, subjects who suffer from allergic symptoms (such as allergic rhinitis or, worse, allergic asthma) have increased 7 times in the last 30 yearsgoing from 4% to almost 30% of the population”.
“Climate change and the increase in temperatures – explains Ariano – have led to a pollen overlap. Those of the plants, of the trees, add up to those of herbs. On the one hand there is an extension, on the other an advance. This It’s an anomaly that we’ve been experiencing for about twenty years but which has certainly become more pronounced in recent times.”
In other words, the ‘bombing’ for allergy sufferers occurs at the same time from above but also from below.
But what are the pollens of this period? Ariano lists: “Certainly the most widespread are from grasses, then from parietaria, especially on the coasts. AND cypresseswhich previously only flowered in winter while this year their ‘season’ goes from November to April. Today they are increasingly popular also because they are cheap and grow quickly. Therefore, in order to make a correct diagnosis, each specialist must carefully evaluate all the information about the person, starting from where he or she lives. In this period, in fact, allergies can have problems also from olive treeswhich instead usually flower in May.”
But what advice should you give to an allergy sufferer? In the meantime, he must pay close attention to the plant cycle, “The flower opens with the sun from 10am to 4pm – recalls the doctor -. That is the moment of maximum exposure and it would therefore be best to avoid going out during those hours.” Not only. Also wind is a very strong risk factor because it can carry pollen for kilometers.”
The peak, explains Ariano, “it is expected as always between May and June”. Even if there are regional ‘variables’. “In July and August the herbs dry out – reasons the allergist -. But in Lombardy instead precisely in that period ragweed flourishes, which can cause forms of asthma.”
“Yes, too alien species bring allergies – clarifies Ariano -. It applies to the Japanese cypress and for cryptomeria japonica. The mechanism is always the same, only the quality of the pollen changes.”
But can allergies be cured? “Yes – replies the specialist -. Exist preventive drugs to ask your doctor and also nasal sprays. There are desensitizing vaccines, cycles are carried out before flowering, the same pollens are administered. In two-three years, there are people who see their allergies disappear.”
And how do allergies trigger? “The factors are different – is the doctor’s explanation -. Predisposition and familiarity certainly count. But also exposure to pollution, especially vehicular.”
“In general – concludes Ariano – there are no right or wrong foods. But there are foods that can react with pollen. For example, those who are allergic to cypress and eat peaches may have some symptoms.”
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