The birch allergy season is coming to an end and here comes the hay fever caused by the wave of grass pollen. “We are starting to see the arrival of patients who are very affected, but this is only the beginning.explains general practitioner Caroline Fortpied. This will increase, even if we were alerted to a big peak on Monday in Brussels“It’s starting to get sunny, hot, dry and windy,”all the conditions for the pollen to be present and stagnate in the air“.
Result: rhinitis, that is to say stuffy and runny nose; more or less strong conjunctivitis with eyes that become red, watery, itchy and itchy and regular sneezing. “The most sensitive are also affected by an irritating and dry cough during the day. Of course, these symptoms intensify if you are in the garden, if you mow the grass: the cough can intensify and lead to sensitization at the bronchial level.e”, continues the general practitioner.
“For people with asthma, this can lead to seizures and breathing difficulties..” Don’t forget your puff!
With all this, a feeling of fatigue can set in and questions begin to arise. What if it’s Covid? Doctor Fortpied reassures: “If you feel a cold accompanied by a dry cough and you know you are allergic, you should not worry too much. What you have to be vigilant regarding is the temperature and body aches which are symptoms of Covid and not allergic rhinitis. These are noticed by watery eyes and sneezing. Which are Allergy Exclusive.”
Advice given by Dr. Meulemans: “Take an anti-isthamine, if you suffer from allergies, it will completely soothe your discomfort. In the event of an allergy in addition to a Covid, the relief will not really be there..”
If there is any doubt, persistent fatigue, the feeling of really losing taste and smell, “a self-test even if it is not 100% reliable is still a good indicatorcontinues Dr. Fortpied. And of course, you can contact your doctor who can prescribe a test..”
Finally, Caroline Fortpied warns that we are at the start of the season and that in June and July, the most important peaks will be reached. The pollen season is getting longer and longer. Desensitization, otherwise called allergen immunotherapy with an ENT professional can be an effective solution for the most affected people.
