As we know, the pollen season has begun and could continue till the end of April, peaking in between, here’s how we should mark ourselves safe from its allergy.
As per the Meteorology Department in Islamabad, pollen count has been recorded to be as high as 45,000 per cubic volume of air in the past between March and April. So what precautions should we take for pollen allergy? Here’s everything you should know:
What is pollen?
The pollen grains are the male tiny particles that are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. Such grains function to fertilize other parts of plants, but many never reach their targets and remain suspended in the atmosphere. Most species of pollen have some level of allergenicity but not all of them.
What is pollen allergy?
The suspended pollen grains in the air reach the human respiratory tract through inhalation, triggering a type of seasonal allergy called pollen allergy.
Pollen is one of the most widespread of all the things that can cause an allergy. Many of the foods, drugs, or animals that cause allergies can be avoided to a great extent; even insects and household dust are avoidable.
However, staying indoors when the pollen count is very high may not help to evade windborne pollen.
Symptoms of pollen allergy
- Sneezing accompanied by a runny or clogged nose
- Itching eyes, nose, and throat
- Watering of eyes
- Difficulty in breathing
- Conjunctivitis
- Some people with pollen allergy develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition.
Pollen season in Islamabad
Peak Pollen season in Islamabad starts in the first week of March and ends in mid-April.
Extremely high pollen concentrations in the month of March and relatively less high concentrations in July are recorded.
Why pollen concentration is higher in Islamabad as compared to other cities?
Islamabad is among the cities with the highest pollen counts in the world. The pollen concentration is higher in the capital city as compared to other cities because of the population of Paper Mulberry trees.
Its population is maximum in Islamabad whereas almost negligible in other cities.
Precautionary measures
Individuals with pollen allergy should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants such as;
- Dust
- Insect sprays
- Tobacco smoke
- Fresh tar or paint
- Use of perfumes
- Walking in garden
- Using carpets on the floor
- Keeping the window of the car closed while travelling
