Cough, sneezing, irritability, asthma … We are in the middle of pollen season. These tiny grains, which ensure the reproduction of flowering plants, are responsible for many allergies. About 20% of children and 30% of French adults suffer. Over time, more and more people are sensitive to the air of their presence. The number of allergic people has tripled since the 1970s, multifactorial growth.
Hygienic theory
According to Sophie Silkret-Grier, a member of the board of directors of the Association of Allergists Asthme et Allergies, the hygienic theory that supports the link between the effects of microbes and “allergic reactions” in early childhood is the most well-known trace. .
«Our way of life is getting disinfected. Care is taken to prevent the child from being exposed to bacteriological components, which increases the risk of allergies. The immune system, which is not obliged to do its job against something really dangerous, begins to react against something that is not.“, He explains. Therefore, allergy in this case is the body’s extremely immune response when it comes in contact with certain harmless elements, such as pollen.
Global warming
Global warming is contributing to this increase. It helps pollen seasons start earlier, last longer and be more severe. «If we compare the temperature curve ությունը the amount of pollen in the air, we will see that over the last thirty years they have grown at the same time.“- Analyzes Samuel Monier, Communications Manager of the National Aerobic Surveillance Network (RNSA).
Dust allergies occur in areas where they have not been present before. «Climate change is causing some plants to thrive. This is the case, for example, with ragweed in the Rhոնne Valley, which now grows further north.“, Continues Samuel Monier.
This phenomenon is noticeable in fir or birch, very allergenic pollen plants, which are gaining new territories.When I started my career, I was treating birch allergy daily. Today we are at 10“, Says Sophie Silkret-Grio.
Air pollution
An explosion of carbon dioxide in the air has a significant effect on pollen. “CO2 is a gas that plants absorb and promote their growth. As a result, more pollen is produced “, explains Samuel Monier. In addition, air pollution, which is caused by an increase in the presence of CO2, has a direct impact on human health. «This deepens the phenomenon because: pollution weakens the airways, so we notice a relieving effect for dust mites“, Says Sophie Silkret-Grio. Chemical particles in the air also act on dust particles.They loosen or even crack the dust around the shell, which in turn will release more allergens.“, – describes Samuel Monier.
There are preventative measures to limit allergic reactions to dust. Ventilate your home, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, do not dry your laundry outside to avoid dust, there are all simple solutions that can limit contact with allergens. In more advanced cases, taking antihistamines or treating desensitization may be the solution.
However, according to experts, if the effects of global warming were not limited to the coming years, by 2050 half of France’s population will have allergies.
Source: Le Figaro
