Forecast

Dry and hot, fungal spores and grass pollen cause stress!

The weather forecast for Burgenland predicts a hot second half of the week with isolated heat thunderstorms. During thunderstorms, pollen grains can burst open due to sudden changes in humidity and air pressure. The resulting particles can penetrate deeper into the lungs. This can trigger severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks - a phenomenon known as thunderstorm asthma. Even though rain usually brings short-term relief, allergy sufferers should stay indoors during thunderstorms and keep the windows closed to minimise the risk.

Although the peak flowering of grasses is over, the level of exposure for sensitised people remains moderate. The first cereal fields are being threshed. Grass pollen allergy sufferers should avoid being near grasses during the harvest.

Particularly on dry and hot days, there can be an intense pollen count from plantain and dock, which can also be stressful. Stinging nettles also bloom and their pollen can irritate sensitised people.

The first flowering specimens of mugwort have already been reported between Parndorf and Güssing. It will be another one to two weeks before the flowers are in full bloom. Allergy sufferers who are sensitised to mugwort should avoid typical locations with dense stands, such as dry grassland, field edges or next to the road verge.

The tree of heaven, a neophyte native to Asia, is currently in bloom. It grows in parks or along railway embankments. Not much is yet known about its allergen potential, but allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

The heyday of sweet chestnut, privet and lime trees is over. Although sweet chest nut is categorised as a minor allergen, cross-reactions can often occur due to structural similarities between its main allergen and birch. From an allergological point of view, linden pollen is only of minor relevance, but its intense floral scent can cause irritation in sensitive people. People who are sensitised to the pollen of olive trees should avoid the immediate vicinity of privet bushes.

Moderate to high concentrations of fungal spores can be reached during this week. People who are sensitised to this should avoid the vicinity of grain fields that are being threshed. The whirled up dust contains large quantities of fungal spores. A sharp increase in fungal spore concentrations is also possible after precipitation.

Other types of pollen detected in the ambient air are umbellifers, goosefoot and buttercup plants, clove plants and cypress plants. These are of minor allergological significance.