Forecast

Grass pollen and fungal spores are causing allergic symptoms!

The weather is set to be rather changeable over the weekend, which tends to reduce pollen levels. However, occasional rain encourages the production of fungal spores – so an increased concentration of fungal spores in the air is to be expected after rainfall. Particular caution is advised during thunderstorms: the storm activity causes pollen grains to burst, creating a risk of so-called thunderstorm asthma.

Pollen grains from grasses remain the main cause of allergic symptoms. The main flowering season for grasses has now shifted from open green spaces to woodlands and areas near river courses. Although the peak of the grass pollen season has already passed, moderate to high levels of pollen are still possible in these areas.

Along the edges of paths and roads, additional pollen levels from sorrel, goosefoot plants and plantain are to be expected.

In locations with particularly favourable climatic conditions, the first flowering mugwort plants have already been spotted. This marks the start of the herb pollen season in some areas. It will probably take until the end of July for the plants to flower across the board. Locally, however, low levels of allergenic exposure may already be occurring.

In addition to grasses, fungal spores are now also causing moderate to high levels of exposure in the ambient air. Particularly after rainfall, people who are sensitised to fungal spores should expect high levels of exposure.

In addition to the pollen types already mentioned, pollen from bee balm, nettle family plants, sweet chestnut, privet, rhododendron, sour grasses, papilionaceous plants, grapevines and cypress family plants is currently also present in the pollen spectrum. However, these pose only a very low allergenic risk.