This year, watch out for ragweed during your vacation. Due to high temperatures, this plant releases its pollen about a week earlier this year, estimates the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network.
Ragweed can quickly cause a runny nose, stinging eyes, and even lead to difficulty breathing. “It is a peculiarity of ragweed. Only a few grains of pollen are needed for symptoms to appear in allergic people,” specifies Samuel Monnier, engineer of the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network, at the BFM Lyon branch.
In 2020, the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) estimated that between 1 and 3.5 million people were allergic to ragweed. In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, where the plant is very present, up to 15% of the population would be affected.
A plant gaining ground in France
For several summers, rising temperatures have favored the spread of ragweed. “Unfortunately, it is gaining ground in other regions, such as Burgundy, Franche-Comté, New Aquitaine. It can also be found in Occitanie and is also present in the north of the PACA region”, explains Samuel Monnier on Franceinfo. On the contrary, the north, the west and the Mediterranean basin are safer.
In a press release, the associative network designates this Tuesday as “the first day that the concentration of ragweed pollen in the air should be sufficient to cause an allergy risk in the most sensitive people in the Lyon region.” The pollen peak should occur about twenty days later.
In case of symptoms consult an allergist
Samuel Monnier gives several tips to people with allergies.
“Consult a doctor or an allergist to treat the symptoms, avoid airing, dry the clothes on the outside and not on the inside because the pollen sticks to the clothes, rinse the hair well… There are many small gestures,” he explains.
Particularly invasive, ragweed is the subject of programs run by ANSES or the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional health agency. The various actors suggest uprooting ragweed plants whenever possible. The Signalement Ambrosie website or 0 972 376 888 also allow you to report on the plant.
Source: BFM TV
