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Pollen pollution from birch trees is expected to be extreme this year
Sneezing, watery eyes, itching: The mild winter causes allergy sufferers are earlier than usual burdened with allergic symptoms. This year could be particularly bad for those affected. According to experts, the complaints caused by birch pollen in 2016 will be stronger than last year.
Mild winter leads to early pollen
The trend has been going on for years: the pollen fly earlier and earlier. Whereas in the past years there were the unpleasant side effects of spring, the pollen is often already in the air in the winter months. And especially hazel and alder pollen, which made sure that some people complained of hay fever at Christmas. Birch and grasses will start soon. According to experts, allergy sufferers may experience more problems with birch pollen this year than in the past.
For this year, a particularly strong lug of birch pollen is expected, which causes increased symptoms for hay fever patients. (Image: Ingo Bartussek / fotolia.com) Symptoms will be stronger this year
According to the dpa news agency, the symptoms caused by birch pollen, such as hay fever and asthma, will be stronger in 2016 than in the previous year, according to estimates by the German Pollen Information Service (PID). The tree with the black and white bark is very common in this country. Thomas Stützel, Professor of Evolution and Biodiversity of Plants at the Ruhr University Bochum, said an escape from birch pollen was hardly possible. "Only on the coast is it better, as long as the wind comes from the sea." The hanging birch (Betula pendula Roth), the most widespread species of the tree, occur virtually everywhere. Only in some mountainous regions it was not to be found. According Stützel the tree is very frugal and have very small seeds. Because there are enough nutrients in many areas due to the nitrogenous rain, the pioneer plant has good chances to germinate.
Regional different increase
Although the PID CEO Karl-Christian Bergmann sees an increase in birch pollen, this varies from region to region. For their pollen prognosis, the researchers observe the weather over several months and the seasonal development of the trees and compare everything with the pollen count of the past 15 years. Then, in view of the foreseeable weather, an average for the forecasts can be made. The PID offers on its website "www.pollenstiftung.de" in cooperation with the German Weather Service a pollen forecast.
Birch pollen allergy sufferers still have grace period
The birch pollen allergy sufferers still have grace period: "There are still no pollen in the air," says Bergmann. According to the German Weather Service in Freiburg confirmed according to dpa, the air pollution by pollen is not very high overall, because it is currently raining a lot. According to PID data, from mid-March the flight will begin in southern Germany, until the end of the month the birch trees will bloom in the north of the country. In June, the foundation expects the birch pollen season to end. According to the statements, the pollen of these trees are considered to be particularly aggressive. Within a short time the plants release many of them.
Maybe psychological effect
"In surveys, allergy sufferers always say that they suffer greatly from the birch trees," explained Bergmann. However, the severe symptoms right at the beginning of the year might have a psychological effect as well. According to PID data, the concentration of grass pollen has increased again since 2010. In the years before, the burden had rather declined. The complaints for allergy sufferers by grass pollen, which fly from April to September, could rise again according to PID assessment. No matter which pollen you are allergic to, it is advisable to follow expert advice against hay fever, such as airing in the morning between six and eight o'clock, when the pollen count is the lowest or not to bring pollen-laden clothes into the bedroom. It is also recommended to have a shower before going to bed, especially if you want to wash your hair. (Ad)