Sneezing season sweeps in

South African Weather Service forecaster Dipuo Tawana said pollen was suspended in the air in the windy months of August and September.

“Trees and flowers usually Blossom and pollinate during this time of the year.

“Pollen is suspended in the air due to August winds which sometimes continue into September. This causes people to sneeze and have nasal problems,” Tawana said.

Dr Adrian Morris of the Allergy Clinic said the allergy disorder began in spring and continued until December.

“The hay fever season usually starts in September and mainly tree pollen causes it. And then in October, November and December grass pollen makes people sick.

“The trees which make people sick include acacia and eucalyptus and garden and bushveld grass also cause allergies.”

Morris added that hay fever affected 20% of the population and up to 50% of adolescents.

“It does not necessarily cause a fever but occurs when one is allergic to pollen from the grasses and the trees, and affects one’s nose which causes sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, wheezing and palate irritation,” Morris said.

The doctor said allergy tablets and nasal sprays helped to relieve the symptoms.

“Regular use of antihistamines throughout the pollen season is effective especially if treatment is commenced early in the season.

“Nasal sprays reverse chronic nasal inflammation and congestion in established allergic rhinitis,” he noted.

According to the Allergy Clinic website, weed pollen was less problematic.

“Weed pollens rise for a short spell in late summer and fungal or mould spores predominate in damp spring and autumn but tend to be less problematic than pollen grains unless spore counts exceed 3 000 per cubic metre.”

Environmental activist Thandile Chinyavanhu from Greenpeace Africa said various factors contributed to the increase in hay fever, including the increase in carbon dioxide.

“Scientists have determined there is a direct correlation between the concentrations of carbon dioxide and plants pollen production,” she said.

Chinyavanhu added that living organisms were influenced by the climate.

“The globe has warmed to 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels and as humans it is more challenging for us to distinguish between our experiences of the seasons thermally. And plants are experiencing this too.”

– asandam@citizen.co.za