Pollen allergy: why is it affecting more and more people?

The phenomenon continues to grow. The number of French people who develop a pollen allergy has increased steadily in recent years, while almost the entire country is currently classified as a red alert for grass pollen. If, currently, almost a third of adults are affected by an allergy, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of the population should be affected by 2050.

A more aggressive pollen

For the engineer and spokesman for the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) Samuel Monnier, the causes are multifactorial. The first reason for this phenomenon is the increase in pollution, especially fine particles.

“They come to weaken the walls of the pollen grains and release more allergenic proteins,” he explains to BFMTV.com

Indeed, according to the scientist, due to pollution, “pollen is not at all the same in the city” as it is in the countryside. It appears “badly damaged” and has a “totally deformed” wall, making it more allergenic. The birch, for example, emits 20% more pollen than 30 years ago, according to the engineer.

The most affected airways

Another consequence of pollution is the increase in respiratory diseases that make more and more people sensitive to allergic phenomena.

“Pollen goes deeper into the throat and is much more symptomatic in someone who has predispositions,” such as asthma, says Samuel Monnier.

Therefore, people with allergies have more pronounced allergy attacks and more frequently develop asthma attacks, but also coughing fits or sequences of strong sneezing.

Longer allergy seasons

Changing our way of life also affects our increased sensitivity to pollen.

“Before, we lived much more outdoors and we were sensitive to pollen. Now we recognize it as a harmful element”, laments the engineer.

With climate change and the increase in average temperatures, “the allergy season is longer”, especially for the most allergenic pollens such as pine or cedar.

“Species migrate to new regions,” adds Samuel Monnier. Ambrosia, this invasive plant native to North America, is becoming more and more established in France. Being its pollen strongly irritating, it is the cause of strong allergic reactions.