The allergy season in Jaén begins relatively early this year, according to Manuel Alcántara Villar, head of Allergology at the Jaén University Hospital and vice president of the Official College of Physicians of the province. “Right now, what we’re mainly seeing is pollen from cipreswhich has become an increasingly important cause of allergies,” he points out.
Alcántara adds that, although cypress was not a relevant trigger before, in recent years there has been a notable increase in allergic people, even among those who had never had symptoms. “In the last two weeks I have noticed an increase in private consultations, which indicates that people are more attentive to the initial symptoms,” he explains, although he clarifies that in emergencies and health centers the situation is managed with their own registration systems.
After the cypress season, the season of olive treecausing the most common allergy in the province. The flowering of this tree is expected between mid-April and mid-June, with a maximum peak expected for the first two weeks of May. Alcántara warns that, this year, pollination could be especially intense due to recent rains, which favor the massive flowering of the approximately 60 million olive trees in the province.
The specialist indicates that the final intensity of pollination will depend on subsequent climatic factors, such as temperature and the absence of precipitation during the flowering season. “If the weather is favorable, we can expect very high levels of pollen, which will make spring more complicated for allergy sufferers,” he points out.
Pollen requires water to develop, so recent rains benefit both the cypress and the olive tree. In addition, other allergens such as false plantain and grass also join the season, increasing the incidence of allergies in the province. “The combination of more allergy sufferers detected and favorable weather conditions for pollination explains why this year we are observing an early onset and an increase in cases,” explains Alcántara.
Preventive measures for allergy sufferers
The head of Allergology recommends those who are allergic to olive trees to begin treatment in advance. “You don’t have to wait for symptoms to appear; you have to start regular medication preventively and then adjust it as necessary,” he says. It also advises classic prevention measures, such as the use of a mask, sunglasses and limiting outdoor exposure at times of highest pollen concentration. Staying in closed, well-ventilated spaces, as well as following medical instructions, will help reduce symptoms and complications during the season.
Alcántara concludes by reminding us that this year, with a potentially strong spring, it is especially important for allergy sufferers to prepare in advance and take preventive measures to enjoy the season without risk to their health.
