France on red alert for severe grass pollen allergies
A red alert for grass pollen allergies has been issued in 26 departments across France, with the risk especially high from the south east to the south west.
The warning was issued by air monitoring network, le R茅seau National de Surveillance A茅robiologique (), on Friday June 14. The update also covers 65 further departments on orange alert.
鈥淩ed鈥� alert is the most severe possible, and 鈥渙range鈥� is the second-most severe - on the six-point scale - meaning that the risk of allergies from grass pollen is high to extremely high.
Just five departments - Sarthe, Finist猫re, Orne, Mayenne and the Alpes-Maritimes - are on yellow alert, meaning average risk.
Pollen allergies can cause symptoms often known as 鈥渉ay fever鈥�, including repeated sneezing, irritated or weeping eyes, throat irritation, and coughing.
The RNSA advises sufferers to:
- Avoid taking part in too many activities outdoors
- Drive with the windows closed
- Air out the house in the morning and evening, after sunset
- Rinse your hair in water in the evening
- Avoid hanging out clothes to dry outside
- Avoid using products that could further irritate your system, such as tobacco, perfume, incense, candles, cleaning chemicals, or DIY equipment.
