Pollen count possible without bloom
The pollen count can sometimes take allergy sufferers by surprise: While the earth is still frozen as hard as a rock and all the plants in the area are still in hibernation, pollen from hazel and alder can already irritate the mucous membranes in the nose and eyes. How is this possible?
Pollen is a long-distance flyer. They can travel several hundred kilometers in the air before sinking to the ground. Hay fever symptoms can therefore occur even if the plant in question is not yet blooming in the allergy sufferer’s home region.
- For hazel and alder the main flowering period is in February and March.
- Ash blossoms mainly in March and April.
- Birch pollen allergy sufferers have to struggle especially in April.
- Grass pollen is more prevalent from May to July.
- The main bloom of mugwort is in July and August.
- Ragweed (ragweed) blooms mainly from August to September.
Weather and climate change influence the pollen count
Due to differences in weather patterns from year to year, the actual pollen count of a plant can vary by several weeks. For example, in spring-like weather conditions, the hay fever season often begins as early as December or January with the first pollen from hazel and alder. By March at the latest, the pollen count is in full swing, and pollen allergy sufferers can expect symptoms such as a blocked or runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.
