AllergiesGrass pollen count especially high this week

If you're feeling especially afflicted by hay fever symptoms, that is because grass pollen counts are especially high this week. The Ministry of Health's pollen.lu website, which contains information on 33 varieties of pollen and seven kinds of spores, has recorded high counts of grass pollen (gramineae) on both Sunday and Monday. The counts have risen from 99 to 153, so expect high levels to continue throughout the week.

© Pollenwarndienst.at

As per the Austrian website pollenwarndienst.at, which outlines pollen loads throughout Europe, there will be increased grass pollen loads from 1 to 10 June. The website has recorded grass pollen counts as very high in areas including the Grand Duchy, much of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Pollen in the nettle family (urticaceae) is due to go to a high level in Luxembourg and the surrounding areas from 11 to 20 June.

Tips on dealing with hay fever

Unfortunately, antihistamines are not the be all and end all in relieving hay fever symptoms, although they are certainly useful. Other tips to bear in mind when pollen counts are especially high include:

• Avoiding physical activity outside,
• Wearing glasses or sunglasses to reduce the contact your eyes have with the allergen,
• Washing your hair before you go to bed,
• Using tissues,
• Avoiding drying your clothes outside,
• Keeping your car windows closed whilst driving, 
• And using pollen.lu to keep track of pollen counts.