Skelm teer sy pad terug selle toe
‘n Ou skelm het Maandag spreekwoordelik in die leeu se bek ingestap toe hy ‘n...
This year’s exceptionally wet winter season could spawn an explosion of plant and grass growth spelling trouble for hayfever sufferers.
So says Mariska van Aswegen, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics – a leading provider of allergy medication.
“South Africa has experienced one of its wettest winters of late and usually after a rainy pre-season like the one we just had, followed by sufficient sunlight, there is an exponential increase of pollen in the air, which creates a perfect storm for hayfever. “A wet winter also means healthy plant roots and although we can’t predict exactly how florae are going to behave, if past experience is anything to go by, grasses, trees and flowers are simply waiting for warmer and drier days to release their pollen. And when they do, it could hit very intensely,” says van Aswegen.
Pollens that usually trigger seasonal allergies come from trees, grasses or weeds, but grass is by far the worst culprit in South Africa. As a result of heavy winter rains, aerobiologists predict a bumper grass pollen season which is likely to peak in October and taper off in December.
Van Aswegen points out that while grass species usually stagger their pollen release throughout the season, the cold weather could cause grass to release pollen earlier and more forcefully. The most common grass species found in SA include winter grass, wild oats, rye grass, quaking grass, bunny tail, klokkies, bermuda grass as well as African species such as kikuyu and buffalo grass.
Experts say it will only take a few sunny, breezy days for pollen to soar which will soon give allergy sufferers a glimpse of what to expect for the remainder of the season.
Besides just keeping up with regular allergy medication, such as antihistamines, van Aswegen says it’s probably wise to avoid exposure. She gives the following advice:
“It’s important to pay attention to the weather. Changeable weather forecasts which includes short periods of rain, followed by sunshine and wind, just starts it all off again and is likely to prolong the season.
“Hayfever sufferers should continue taking their medication even though dispersed rain may dampen symptoms. In general, those allergic to pollen should take their medication at least two weeks prior to the start of the season which will significantly reduce symptoms such as an itchy, runny or blocked nose, irritated and watery, red eyes and/or a scratchy throat,” she concludes.
For up to date pollen counts visit www.pollensa.co.za or for any hayfever related queries, visit www.allergyexpert.co.za.
Mariska van Aswegen
Gansbaai Courant provides the Gansbaai community with the latest in news and interesting stories about and around the area.
View ProfileXplorio is your local connection allowing you to find anything and everything about a town.
Read More‘n Ou skelm het Maandag spreekwoordelik in die leeu se bek ingestap toe hy ‘n...
Annually, the world unites in a coastal clean-up initiative.
‘n Glimlaggende Carli Swart (7) het Dinsdag, 19 September 2017...
Luisterryke koorsang en lofprysing het die NGK se kerkgebou Sondag...
39 rommelrowers het Saterdag deel uitgemaak van Internasionale Kus Opruimdag.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Astronomiese Observatorium (SAAO) in Kaapstad bied reeds die afgelope paar jaar...