June peak. One of the most difficult months for 40 percent of Poles

• Inhalant allergy affects up to 40 percent of the population in Poland
• The risk of its occurrence depends on genetics and ranges from 40 to 80 percent.
• June is the peak of grass pollen production, which is the most common cause of allergic complaints.
• There are about 300 species of grass in Poland.
• To minimize symptoms in June, especially intense grass pollen, it is recommended to avoid being outdoors between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
• It is also worth considering staying in places with low pollen concentration, such as mountains above 600 m above sea level.

As the diag.pl website writes, June is a particularly troublesome month for allergy sufferers , considered one of the most difficult of the whole year due to the highest concentrations of pollen in the air recorded at that time.

Inhalant allergy is a common problem that is an abnormal, excessive response of the immune system to contact with substances in the environment that should be harmless - so-called allergens.

In response, the body produces specific antibodies, mainly class E immunoglobulins, which leads to the release of inflammatory mediators, primarily histamine, responsible for typical allergic symptoms.

Allergies can appear at any age , and the number of cases in adults is constantly growing. In Poland, up to 40 percent of the population may experience allergic symptoms, some of which are inhalant allergies. The risk of developing allergies is largely determined by genetics: it is 60 to 80 percent if both parents are allergic, and drops to 40-60 percent when only one parent suffers from allergies.

Environmental factors have an even greater influence on the development of allergies than genes, and include:

• air pollution,
• household chemicals,
• processed foods,
• unhealthy lifestyle,
• overuse of antibiotics.

Pollen easily enters the respiratory tract, eyes and nose, causing characteristic symptoms such as:

• watery runny nose (hay fever),
• repeated sneezing,
• shortness of breath,
• watery and irritated eyes,
• swollen conjunctiva,
• scratching in the throat,
• dry cough,
• headaches,
• limited patency of the upper respiratory tract,
• exacerbation of atopic dermatitis,
• problems with concentration and sleep.

In June, many plants pollen

The peak of pollen production occurs in grasses, which are the most common cause of allergic complaints. Although grasses start to produce pollen in April, in June their concentration in the air is the highest for all 30 days in the entire country. In Poland, there are about 300 species of grasses that produce pollen from May to September.

June is also the pollination period for rye , which is a cultivated cereal from the grass family. It is recommended to avoid fields and meadows in the morning (between 5 and 8) and late afternoon (between 15 and 17), because at that time the concentration of these allergens in the air is doubled. Nettle, although statistically less common in causing allergies, is a very popular weed and requires avoiding not only touch, but also damp forests, where its pollen can circulate in the air.

Most trees produce pollen in early spring, but in June, lime, elder, plane and pine pollen still linger in the air , although at a lower intensity. Elderberry has the most pollen in the first half of June, and its consumption can even lead to anaphylactic shock in people who are allergic.

Pine pollen , although it constitutes a small percentage of allergies, may reach high concentrations in June. During this period, allergens of weeds and smaller plants also appear, such as sorrel, goosefoot and ribwort plantain , which are most common in meadows and fields, less frequently in city centres. Sorrel produces pollen from May to September, the strongest in May and June outside the city. Ribwort plantain, whose pollination peak falls at the turn of June and July, may be responsible for a runny nose or cough. Goosefoot, often called pigweed in Poland, although it occurs in over 1.5 thousand species worldwide, is not a strong allergen due to the small amount of pollen in the air.

In June, mold spores of the Cladosporium and Alternaria species are also active , present in both the natural environment and the home. Cladosporium spores produce pollen until August, while Alternaria can cause allergic reactions until September.

How to deal with allergies?

To minimize allergy symptoms, it is recommended to consult an allergist before the pollen season and regularly monitor the pollen calendar and weather forecasts.

It is worth considering traveling to places with lower pollen concentrations, such as seaside beaches (where the wind from the sea ensures pollen-free air) or higher mountain ranges (above 600 m above sea level, where grass pollen concentrations are low).

It is also important to maintain personal and home hygiene: washing your face and hands and changing your clothes when you return home.

It is best to air rooms in the morning or evening , when the pollen concentration is lower, and to install air conditioning with a filter or air purifiers.

In the car, avoid airing while driving and clean the upholstery regularly . Wearing sunglasses (preferably with wide temples) and headgear protects the eyes and hair from allergens. During the intensive grass pollen season in June, avoid being outdoors between 5:00 and 10:00 a.m., when the pollen concentration is highest, and limit physical exertion outdoors. Regular rinsing of the nose and sinuses and drinking plenty of water is also helpful.

Allergy treatments include oral or inhaled medications for mild to moderate cases, and combinations of medications chosen by a doctor for more severe cases. Nasal drops help clear a blocked nose, and eye drops help flush out allergens and reduce irritation. Antihistamines reduce the amount of histamine in the bloodstream, which is responsible for unpleasant symptoms.

Desensitization is an effective form of treatment that can take up to several years, but it allows you to get rid of allergies for a long time, or even forever.

The final choice of treatment method should always be made with an allergist.

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