High risk of pollen allergy: almost all of France is “red” according to the RNSA

Sale temps pour les allergiques au pollen. MAXPPP – Jean-Marc Lallemand

Les risques d'allergie aux pollens de graminées sont élevés pour ce week-end de Pentecôte notamment là où la pluie n'est pas invitée. Seuls quelques départements du nord et de l'ouest du pays sont moins touchés.

The  RNSA,   National aerobiological monitoring network makes no secret of this in its latest bulletin: "For this long Pentecost weekend, traffic will not only be intense on the roads, but also in the air, loaded with grass pollen which will greatly bother allergy sufferers.

Passage sur France 3 hier dans l’émission "La météo à la carte" pour parler des #pollens de #graminées pic.twitter.com/WLvuM5loKm

— Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (@rnsa_pollen) May 17, 2024

Almost all of France is in "red alert"with a high risk of allergy. Only nine departments in the northwest of the country, from Finistère to the Nord and Pas-de-Calais, are still at medium risk, according to the map published on its site by the Network.

Situation more critical in the Mediterranean

For areas that will be crossed by stormy showers, this could provide "a temporary respite for allergy sufferers by placing pollen on the ground, but will also promote growth grasses which will become problematic again as soon as the sun returns". 

Voici les bons gestes à suivre pour se protéger des pollens et limiter votre exposition : consultez régulièrement la carte de vigilance des pollens sur notre site internet, rincez vos cheveux le soir, aérez les logements avant le lever et après le coucher du soleil si possible… pic.twitter.com/f4c5lNDrzc

— Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (@rnsa_pollen) February 15, 2024

For others, "Allergies may be bothered before rain during thunderstorms due to the increased concentration of pollen near the ground, and the humidity which can cause pollen to break into fine particles penetrating deeper in the lungs", indicates the association for monitoring pollen and mold.

Having the right reflexes

Around the Mediterranean, the situation is even more critical. In question: parietal (urticaceae) and olive (oleaceae) pollens which are out with a medium to high level allergy risk, notes the RNSA. This will also be low for other flowering herbs (plantain and sorrel). Pinaceae pollen (pine, fir, spruce, etc.) may yellow exterior surfaces, but they are not allergenic. For their part, oak pollens "are gradually disappearing from radar”.

Bulletin allergo-pollinique du 17 mai
Pour ce long week-end de Pentecôte, la circulation ne sera pas uniquement intense sur les routes, mais également dans l'air, chargé de pollens de graminées qui gêneront fortement les allergiques!https://t.co/x8uuZJYofL#pollens #allergies pic.twitter.com/ljwkWzy2Ib

— Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique (@rnsa_pollen) May 17, 2024

The RNSA also communicates on the right measures to adopt in the event of a crisis,  to limit the risks. Particularly on rinsing hair after being exposed; ventilation of living rooms, at least 10 minutes per day, favoring times before sunrise and after sunset; limitation of sporting activities; do not dry laundry outside or close windows in the car.