Allergy specialists are warning even the allergy-free to beware of unusually high birch pollen counts this year – in fact pollen levels are at their highest level in nearly twenty years, warns Finland’s Allergy and Asthma Federation.
This year’s especially uncomfortable allergy season has caused members of the public to reach out to the Federation for advice more often than usual.
“We’ve had numerous phone calls, even from people who don’t normally have pollen allergy symptoms. We’ve advised them to seek medical help,” explained allergy counselor Anne Vuorenmaa.
According to Vuorenmaa, there will be little respite in sight, depending on the weather. If there is no rain to flush the pollen out of the atmosphere, allergy sufferers may relieve their symptoms by placing a fabric filter over ventilation windows. Experts also advise nasal irrigation to help rinse away allergens.
There is little point taking an axe nearby to birch trees, as pollen typically travels over long distances, and one birch catkin produces millions of pollen particles.
This spring, birch trees have been in full bloom compared to last summer, contributing to the abundance of pollen.
Birch pollen levels are very high in southern and central Finland, with smaller amounts in the north, reports the University of Turku's Aerobiology Unit. There are also low concentrations of alder pollen in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu.
