It is a season feared by more than 10 million people with allergies in France: the arrival of spring and the pollens that accompany it. Because who says pollens, says allergies for several weeks. To protect yourself from the effects of these pollens on your health, here are a few things to do and, why not, more radical measures to take.

1. Inquire

Today, pollen allergy is taken very seriously by health authorities as it affects more and more people. Numerous sites, in particular that of the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) and applications, allow people with allergies to be informed in real time of the level of pollen in the air and take the necessary precautions to avoid an allergy attack.

2. Recognize an allergy

A pollen allergy results in rhinitis (runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose) or conjunctivitis (weeping and itchy eyes) but also in respiratory discomfort and sometimes asthma. You may also feel discomfort in the mouth, which is characterized by the itchy back of the palate..

3. Protect yourself at home

Although there is no foolproof way to avoid pollen when the season starts, there are a few things you can do to avoid contact with them. At home, and as far as possible, ventilate your interior only before sunrise, or after sunset. It is when the light arrives that the emission of pollens is in full swing. Since you are going through a period of high allergy, avoid coming into contact with any other substance that could make your symptoms worse, such as chemicals or tobacco.

4. Protect yourself outdoors

Avoid strenuous activities when the season starts or choose to practice them at the end of the day instead. Do not dry your laundry outside, as the pollen will settle there and then enter your home.. In the car, drive the windows closed and if you need to activate the air conditioning or the heating, choose the “indoor air recirculation” option. Finally, when you return home after spending time outdoors, rinse your hair well with clean water, as pollen has probably settled there.

5. Heal yourself

To treat the consequences of your allergy, your doctor may prescribe antihistamine tablets and topical corticosteroids. They will help fight against the symptoms of allergies, without treating them. They also have the advantage of preventing simple allergies from becoming complicated.

6. Opt for desensitization 

The principle of desensitization is to gradually accustom the body to this allergen that it rejects. For this, and after complete diagnosis by an allergist, the patient will be subjected to increasing doses of the rejected allergen, sometimes over several years. These doses can be given orally or by injection. It is a long and restrictive treatment, but one that has proven itself and makes life easier for many people with severe allergies.

Gaelle Latour

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