Allergies: pollens already back in the East

Winter is not yet over but in the east of France, in Alsace, some trees are already in bloom. For many people, this marks the onset of pollen allergies. With, as a result, the appearance of symptoms such as conjunctivitis, rhinitis or asthma. From year to year, we observe that the pollens arrive earlier and earlier. In all, seven departments are currently placed on red alert by the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network (RNSA): Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, Vosges, Vaucluse, Bouches-du-Rhône or even Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales.

Distinguish allergy from winter cold

In this winter period, when colds are frequent, health professionals must direct their patients to the best, especially towards antihistamines. The symptoms are sometimes the same, namely sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose or strong cough. According to Inserm, 15 to 20% of French people, or almost a quarter of the population, suffer from allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis. Additionally, pollution and global warming accentuate these allergies. Some precautions are therefore to be taken, such as avoiding outdoor sports during peak pollination periods, or rinsing your hair after walking outside.

Desensitization is an option

If everyone is not affected by these pollen allergies, it is because the people concerned suffer from a immune system disorder. Basically, the body fails to properly produce molecules capable of tracking down these foreign bodies that are allergens and destroying them. However, there is a solution to avoid suffering these allergies: desensitization. It simply consists of gradually accustoming the body to the presence of the allergen. For this, you have to go see an allergist who will start by performing skin tests on the patient, in order to find the origin of the allergy. If the patient is eligible, then the specialist will prescribe tablets or drops. However, to be effective, desensitization must be done 4 to 3 months before the start of the pollen season.