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TREE ![]() (Wattle) and Jacaranda trees although having very visible pollens are not a great problem, as their pollens are often too big and heavy to get deep into the nose or lungs. |
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GRASS pollens are a much greater problem to allergy sufferers in South Africa where pollen levels peak from October to January, but are present almost all year round especially in some parts of the country. Allergenic grass species found in South Africa include: Bermuda, Perennial Rye, Kikuyu, Annual meadow, Cock’s foot, Sweet vernal, Wild oat and the Kweek species. |
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FLOWER pollens are less of a problem, they tend to occur later in summer and those that are allergy-provoking include predominantly the Compositae family: Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Dahlia and Cosmos; Pigweed and Plantain weeds. |
Pollen levels are usually highest in the mid morning, and larger amounts are present on hot windy days. Symptoms will occur when the pollen count exceeds 50 grains per cubic metre of air. During hot humid weather especially after thunderstorms, pollen grains tend to rupture releasing fine starch granules into the air which are highly allergenic and can penetrate deeply into the lungs. National pollen counts are obtained by watching Breakfast television (TV1 GMSA) at 07H00 on Fridays.
POLLEN AVOIDANCE
Pollen is impossible to avoid completely especially in spring and in the interior with the extended grass season present in South Africa. However the following measures will minimize exposure to airborne pollen grains. Remain indoors on windy spring days and at times when pollen levels peak. | ![]() |
Keep the car windows closed when traveling, have a filter fitted to the vent and wear protective eyeglasses. Keep bedroom windows closed to prevent pollen being blown indoors. |
Avoid grass cutting, or wear an industrial dust mask or wet handkerchief when grass is being cut. Pollen release can be limited by keeping lawn grasses short (this removes pollen-producing anthers). When planting new grass try to plant female grasses in the case of Kikuyu.
Don’t keep allergenic flowers indoors. Do not hang washing outdoors to dry on windy days with high pollen counts as pollen grains will be deposited on the clothing. Avoid orchards in blossom, daisy fields and grasslands especially in the interior during spring and summer. Wash eyes with a saline eye bath to remove pollen and relieve itching and irritation.
MEDICAL TREATMENT:
The medical treatment of pollen-allergic asthma, hayfever, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema should be discussed with your doctor.
IMMUNOTHERAPY:
In severe grass pollen allergic hayfever where symptoms occur almost all year round, hyposensitisation injections may be the best option if drug therapy cannot control symptoms. This treatment is usually very successful but involves weekly injections initially, followed by 6 weekly injections for 3 to 5 years thereafter.
Copyright: Allergy Society of South Africa.
Written by Dr. Adrian Morris
Endorsed by ALLSA.
This information sheet is obtainable from:
ALLSA P.O. Box 88 Observatory, 7935 Cape Town, R.S.A. |
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