It seems as though hay fever is becoming an increasingly common reality for people due to elevated pollen concentrations that have increased to staggering levels over recent years.
With the arrival of pollen season, symptoms like runny noses, red and teary eyes, and itchy skin announce the onset of hay fever. For those affected by hay fever, the challenging season has commenced.
Over time, there has been a significant increase in the number of people experiencing hay fever symptoms. More than 20 per cent of Luxembourgish residents reportedly suffer from a pollen allergy. This number is only increasing but so are pollen concentrations in the air, explains Matthias Werchan, a landscape from ecologist from the Charité medical faculty in Berlin.
"We noted a significant increase in pollen production among alder trees, particularly between 2019 and 2021. On several days, there was as much pollen produced in one day as would normally be produced over an entire season, which is extraordinary. There is also an upward trend in birch and hazel pollen. Tree pollen dominates the landscape, but grass pollen levels are also increasing."
In the past, much of autumn and winter provided relief from pollen. But today, that respite generally is limited to the month of November. Last year, in September alone, Werchan observed five times more nettle pollen in the air than in previous years. Additionally, even in October, small quantities of leftover pollen persisted in the atmosphere.
Werchan continues:
"It's almost become a rule nowadays that around Christmas time, hazel and alder pollen is present in the air," the researcher stated. "While this may have been an occasional occurrence in the past, it's now almost guaranteed. We've even observed it during winter months: by the end of January and mid-February, pollen concentrations can be quite high. There's hardly any respite for pollen allergy sufferers."
Key word: Climate change
The warm temperatures and increased levels of CO2 in the air act almost like a pollen fertiliser. Then there are other plant species like ambrosia that usually would hate the climate in Luxembourg but now seem to thrive here, according to Matthias Werchan. He continues:
"If we were to look at the future trajectory of birches for example, it may be the case that we would see increasingly less birches in Central Europe, as they would migrate somewhere where it's humid enough. However, this could also lead to other tree species migrating into more northern regions of Europe."
Not only is the landscape changing but the pollen is too. This could already be felt in the moss central," states Werchan. "It's a process that has been gaining momentum over several years."
"Particularly over the last 30 years, the number of people suffering from asthma has virtually doubled," according to Dr. Daniel Glesener, a pulmonologist.
He worries that "in the same time frame "the number of people suffering from a pollen allergy has tripled. According to some recent studies, by 2050, almost 50 per cent of the population could become allergic to pollen."
Grass and tree pollen make up almost 50 per cent of all allergens. More so than dust mites or cat hair. Due to climate change, there are also allergens that will become even more prevalent. These consequences are already being felt in medical practices.
According to Dr Glesener "there are people that arrive at the emergency wing of the hospital with their first asthma attack, people that have never had any significant prior issues. In some ways this is how it goes with asthma as there's a first time for everything. But generally speaking, there has definitely been an increase in people suffering from asthma and allergies."
To mitigate these risks, Matthias Werchan explains that city planners should consider the type of trees that are being planted in urban areas:
"Planting too many highly allergenic species of trees and plants in urban areas should be limited particularly for the sake of vulnerable groups. This is already very helpful in reducing the number of days with high pollen exposure."
Some advice from experts
The best thing to do during high pollen season is to not leave the house during the day, particularly during times where pollen concentrations are highest. If that's not an option, take regular showers and make sure to wash the clothes you wore outside.
For those looking for an escape from the pollen season, plan a getaway to mountainous regions with altitudes exceeding 1500 metres or opt for a relaxing island vacation.
