MAP. Pollen: maximum alert on the risk of grass allergy, 82 departments concerned

Grass pollen returns to France. It has developed with periods of rain, and the sunny weather favors its dispersal to such an extent that several departments have been placed on allergy alert.

Sun and rain, the “ideal” weather

With rainy weather, grasses develop more quickly and disperse in large quantities when the sun returns, underlines the RNSA (National Aerobiological Surveillance Network). The showers in May flattened the pollen to the ground and consequently favored the development of grasses. Grass pollen is also accompanied by other allergenic pollens such as oak, plantain or nettle pollen.

82 departments on maximum alert

This Monday, May 22, 82 departments out of 96 were classified in the red zone of maximum alert for allergic risk by the RNSA.

No region of France is spared by this allergic risk rising from “high” to “very high”. The RNSA indicates that grass pollen will be very present in the air until the end of July and recommends that people with allergies limit their outdoor activities, open the windows, avoid hanging their laundry outside and wash hair at night.