Pharma Dynamics – a leading provider of allergy medication – predicts trouble for hayfever sufferers this Spring.
“South Africa has experienced one of its wettest winters of late and usually after a rainy pre-season like the one we just had, followed by sufficient sunlight, there is an exponential increase of pollen in the air, which creates a perfect storm for hayfever,” Pharma Dynamics spokesperson Mariska van Aswegen said.
As a result of heavy winter rains, aerobiologists predict a bumper grass pollen season which is likely to peak in October and taper off in December.
Van Aswegen points out that while grass species usually stagger their pollen release throughout the season, the cold weather could cause grass to release pollen earlier and more forcefully.
The most common grass species found in SA include winter grass, wild oats, rye grass, quaking grass, bunny tail, klokkies, bermuda grass as well as African species such as kikuyu and buffalo grass.
Experts say it will only take a few sunny, breezy days for pollen to soar which will soon give allergy sufferers a glimpse of what to expect for the remainder of the season.
Besides just keeping up with regular allergy medication, such as antihistamines, van Aswegen says it’s probably wise to avoid exposure.
She gives the following advice:
- Keep doors and windows closed to avoid pollen grains from coming inside the house
- Avoid the use of fans and rather opt for air-conditioning, which can markedly cut down on the amount of pollen in a room as well as the car
- Stay indoors on high pollen days between 10am and 4pm when pollen is usually released – especially when it’s windy
- Wash clothes after being outside as pollen will stick to it. Showering and washing hair after long exposure is also advisable
- Don’t hang clothing outside to dry as pollen will collect on them
- If you enjoy exercising outdoors, choose the one least likely to expose you to allergens e.g. opt for tennis on a cement court rather than golf
- Wear a mask when working in the garden and mowing the lawn
Van Aswegen added “It’s important to pay attention to the weather. Changeable weather forecasts which includes short periods of rain, followed by sunshine and wind, just starts it all off again and is likely to prolong the season.
“Hayfever sufferers should continue taking their medication even though dispersed rain may dampen symptoms. In general, those allergic to pollen should take their medication at least two weeks prior to the start of the season which will significantly reduce symptoms such as an itchy, runny or blocked nose, irritated and watery, red eyes and/or a scratchy throat,” she concludes.
Did you know:
- Thirty percent of South Africans suffer from hayfever and the figure is growing
- SA has one of the largest floral kingdoms in the world, with over 8 000 species of flora found in the Cape Peninsula. In Southern Africa there are 947 indigenous grass species and 115 naturalised grass species. All of these produce pollen at different times of the year and the levels of pollen in the atmosphere are variable, depending on the season, presence of wind or thermal currents.
- Not all pollens cause allergic symptoms. The pollens that are wind dispersed are often allergenic whereas the pollens, produced by brightly coloured flowers and dispersed by insects or birds, are often not allergenic.
- Grass pollens are by far the most abundant of the pollens and because they are small they are able to be inhaled and enter the airways of the lungs.
- Tree pollens are released for short periods (usually only a few weeks in the year in early Spring i.e. August – September). Tree pollens include Acacia, Willow, Oak, Plane and Popular. Abundant pollen is also produced by Jacaranda trees.
- Weed pollens such as English plantain are commonly found and some individuals are allergic to English plantain.
