What’s gathering dust in May? Times are tough for allergy sufferers.

Itching and watery eyes, dry cough and hay fever can be some of the symptoms of an allergy. In such cases, it is worth knowing what our body reacts to in this way. This, in turn, may depend on the particular month and the plants that then pollinate. In May, trees and grasses do this, but not only. There are also fungal spores in the air. Over the next few months, many pollinator plants will become sensitizing.

What’s gathering dust in May? List of plants that cause allergies

May, although a very beautiful month, is unfavorable for allergy sufferers. The intensity of unpleasant symptoms is closely related to the degree of exposure to the allergen-causative agent, as well as the concentration of this allergen in the environment. Pollen from different plants with different intensity. And at the beginning of May, and at the end of this month, many of them do it. Currently, data are available to determine the concentration of pollen in the air, they are presented in the form of a pollen calendar. This information means that people who are allergic to certain kinds of pollen can avoid exposure.

The following plants pollinate in May:

• grass (highest concentration at the end of the month),
• birch (dust at the beginning of the month),
• oak (the most troublesome for allergy sufferers is the beginning of May, in the middle and at the end of the month the concentration of pollen is somewhat lower),
• grandmother (pollen levels remain low throughout the month),
• sorrel (pollination at the beginning of the month is low, and in the middle and end of May - medium),
• nettle (pollen in the middle and at the end of the month, its concentration is low),
• mushroom spores: Cladosporium (average concentration at the beginning of the month, high in the middle and end of the month) and Alternaria (pollen intensity in early May is low, average in the middle and end of the month).

How to minimize allergy symptoms in May?

Allergy is hypersensitivity to a substance (allergen). In healthy people, it does not cause any reaction, and in allergic people, it causes an excessive and incorrect reaction of the immune system. The risk of allergies is increased in those people who have a family history of allergies.

Spring is the most difficult time for allergy sufferers. What to do to protect yourself as much as possible from the aggravating effects of plant pollen, grasses and fungal spores? It is very important to avoid allergens, but often this is not possible because they are just in the air. Symptoms can be relieved with appropriate medications. You can also use home methods to reduce the concentration of the allergen in the environment. They include, among others:

• airing the bedroom at night or early in the morning when pollen levels are low;

• drying clothes in the apartment, not on the street (bed linen should also not be ventilated),

• do not bring plants with pollen home,

• wear sunglasses,

• closing windows during the day

• avoid driving with open windows,

• outdoor sports in the morning (not in the afternoon).

You should also avoid contact with animals that have been outdoors and may have plant pollen on their fur. You should also wash your hair before going to bed. Also remember not to stay in places where the grass has just been cut or mowed. Pollen allergies are also aggravated by tobacco smoke, so it is best to avoid being in a smoky room.

Where to go for help for allergy sufferers?

Most people with pollen allergies do not need to seek medical attention, as over-the-counter allergy medications available at pharmacies relieve their symptoms. However, if this does not help, such a person should contact a therapist who will issue a referral to a specialist - an allergist. They should also be contacted if the situation concerns a small child. Help will also be needed in case of asthma and breathing problems. An allergist may refer a person for an allergy test (blood test or skin test) to determine the allergen.