Coughing, Sneezing, and Itchy Eyes: Grass Pollen Alert for Grass Allergy Sufferers in Berlin and Brandenburg
Intense Pressure on Individuals Suffering from Grass Pollen Allergies - Elevated Health Risks for Pollen Allergy Sufferers
Hey there! If you're sniffling, sneezing, or rubbing itchy eyes, you're not alone—Berlin and Brandenburg are currently in the thick of a grass pollen season. Matthias Werchan, from the German Pollen Information Service (PID), confirmed it: "The high season for grass pollen has begun."
With the change in weather, grasses have been blooming profusely, especially at the end of May. A high pollen load is typically marked by 50 pollen per cubic meter of air, but currently, there are frequently more than 100 pollen per cubic meter in the region, Werchan explained. It's the simultaneous blooming of numerous grass species that's causing the high pollen levels.
Strong winds have spread pollen across the cityscape like wildfire, even blowing into the less vegetated heart of Berlin. "Now you can feel it everywhere in the city," says Werchan. However, there are more blooming grass areas within Berlin than before because fewer mowing sessions are done to protect insects. In Brandenburg, vast rye fields have mostly withered, minimizing their contribution to the grass pollen load.
No need to stress about the cotton candy fluff floating through the air right now, though. Those aren't pollen but poplar seeds — better known as poplar fluff. Although it looks alarming, it doesn't cause allergic reactions, according to Werchan.
So, what does the load look like for the upcoming Pentecost weekend? It's expected to be variable and cool, which should offer a bit of relief for allergy sufferers. Grasses grow more slowly at low temperatures, and rain showers help wash pollen from the air—both good news for allergy sufferers.
Keep an eye on the PID website for the most accurate and up-to-date pollen forecasts, breaking down the information by region.
- Berlin
- Brandenburg
- Load
- Potsdam
- Community members with grass allergies in Berlin and Brandenburg should be aware of the ongoing high grass pollen season, as confirmed by Matthias Werchan from the German Pollen Information Service (PID).
- Employment policies in Berlin might need to consider accommodating allergy sufferers during the grass pollen season, especially those working outdoors, as the high pollen levels can affect their health-and-wellness.
- For individuals with mental-health concerns, the stress of dealing with respiratory-conditions during the grass pollen season may require additional support for coping mechanisms and fitness-and-exercise routines to manage symptoms.
- In Brandenburg, a medical-condition specific employment policy could be implemented to address the reduction in rye fields and its impact on the grass pollen levels, considering the positive effects on skin-care (for those with allergies) and nutrition, as well as the importance of health-and-wellness in the region.
