While a first heat peak passed over France last weekend, temperatures resume their ascent in this middle of the week. With pollution, some people have undergone unusual symptoms: “For several days, even before the heat wave on Saturday, I have my eyes that bite,” says Elena. This 37-year-old Parisian, who has become an adult allergic, takes antihistamine medicines in “April-May”. “But at the moment, it’s different from my allergy to the pollens of the trees. My eyes bite and are dry when it is very hot and I am in town. But I am not coughing, ”says the one who lives on the boulevards of the marshals – very frequented – of the 18th arrondissement. Allergy? Reaction to pollution and hot weather? Here are the explanations of Doctor Nhân Pham-Thi, Pneumo-Pediatrician and allergist at the Allergology Center of Alésia in Paris.
“We know that pollution can be an aggravating factor of allergy to pollens, with an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes and throat,” emphasizes the doctor. With the stinging noses, nasal flows, sneezing, irritated and itching eyes ”. These irritation effects can cause, in the following hours and days, asthma attacks, allergic rhinitis. And if the irritation reaches the bronchi, it can cause respiratory discomfort or even bronchitis.
“Cocktail effect” of pollution and hot weather
In the event of heat, this state of sensitivity is aggravated by the concentration of polluting and irritating gas, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. “The heat wave and pollution do not mix well, with a cocktail effect,” recalls the specialist. Not only for allergic people, but also in asthmatic people who react to pollution, or people who have sensitive mucous membranes … “. Furthermore, fine or even ultra-thin particles enter the respiratory system deeply pass into the blood, and will “increase systemic and generalized inflammation in the body”. In addition, pollution modifies the structure of pollens and makes them more allergenic, while the respiratory tract is weakened.
As is the symptoms of Elena, usually allergic in “April-May” and which undergoes unpleasant symptoms at the end of June, in hot weather and in a polluted city? “Right now, there are heat peaks and peaks of grasses pollens,” recalls Doctor Nhân Pham-Thi. When you are allergic to trees pollens, you can gradually develop a sensitivity to grasses. For the past three, four years, pollens concentrations have been increasing, and new people say they are embarrassed … it’s new to them. ” The doctor recommends doing tests to find out his allergic sensitivity.
Allergies that progress
To relieve allergic symptoms, the doctor advises rinse his face, nose and eyes to remove pollens. And take your prescribed treatments, such as antihistaminic drugs, eye eye drops or nasal decongestant spray. “It is very important to assess the respiratory sensitivity by a health professional, asthma, because there is morbid risk”. For children as well as for older children, “avoid doing football training next to the device” when it is very hot and you experience a peak of pollens.
Our allergy file
The doctor finally alerts to “pollens thunderstorms”. “In stormy weather, we must remain attentive to this meteorological phenomenon” which has the side effect of causing reactions exacerbated in some allergic people. They may first suffer from the storm wind which precedes the thunderstorm, brews the pollens which, with the strong humidity of the air, will threate with water and become more virulent.
In case of symptoms, you must consult a health professional (general practitioner, allergist, etc.). For more information, you can consult the ATMO France site which lists air quality and the Pollens index in mainland France and in the overseas departments and regions.
