Most people rejoice over the meteorologists’ weather forecasts for next week, but pollen allergy sufferers are hardly as excited. This year, the spring heat comes at the same time as the birch pollen season starts. Violent start – The Bjørkeraklen stand in the starting pit and kick the gravel. When the heat comes, they release the pollen, says senior researcher Hallvard Ramfjord at the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association. If the weather forecast for next week holds true, he fears a fierce start to the season. Senior researcher Hallvard Ramfjord at the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association. Photo: Per Harald Olsen – There may be a lot of pollen in places. When the weather is warm, currents are also created in the air which contribute to the spread, says Ramfjord. Not only that, more birch pollen than normal is also expected this year. – Last year there was a modest production of squeegees. It is rare that we experience two weak years in a row. The birch grains are only used for a few days to mature in the heat, before they release the pollen. – They just hang around and wait to open. When the birch gets a green tinge with small green leaf tips, it is just before, says the senior researcher. Are you allergic to birch pollen? Yes No, but have other allergies No Show result – Not too late with medication If you suffer from a pollen allergy, you are advised to start taking medication early. But don’t worry, it’s still not too late to avoid the worst ailments. Ellen Sørby is regional secretary of the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association Østafjells. Photo: Henrik Bøe / news – You should start earlier, but it is fine to start a week earlier. If you don’t have the medicine at home, you should talk to the doctor as soon as possible, says Ellen Sørby. She is regional secretary of the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association Østafjells. Sørby believes that those who are hardest hit are facing a tough time. – It’s like having the flu without a fever. The eyes itch, the nose runs, and you feel heavy in the head. Those who have not experienced this first hand often do not know how bad it is, says Sørby. These are the aids against pollen allergy Antihistamines. These are medicines that are used to block the histamine effect in the body, and they therefore counteract a runny nose, itching and sneezing, as well as problems in the eyes and throat. Eye drops. There are both over-the-counter and prescription eye drops. You should contact a doctor to have the condition assessed and to get the right treatment, especially if you are in doubt as to whether it is an allergy or another eye disorder that is the cause of your problems. Leukotriene antagonists. These are a type of allergy suppressing tablets, which can be tried as a supplement to other allergy medicines if necessary. These are only available on prescription. Nasal spray. The most effective treatment for allergies in the nose, also called allergic rhinitis, is a nasal spray with cortisone. Cortisone as injections or tablets. In general, treatment with cortisone injections or cortisone tablets against pollen allergies is not recommended. This is due to the risk of side effects, especially in the adrenal cortex. Note that this advice does not apply to cortisone nasal sprays. Allergy vaccination is a treatment option for long-term and severe allergies, where you do not get good enough control over the allergy with medication. The treatment is also called hyposensitization, or allergen immunotherapy. Source: Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association.
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Expect “pollen shock” next week
