Spring always brings high pollen levels. Therefore, those who are allergic to these vegetable grains they see their problem aggravated in these dates. They suffer not only from respiratory problems, but also from skin rashes and other ailments.
However, some Spanish provinces have more pollen in the environment than others. This depends on Type of vegetation that predominates in them and how their climatology. Next, we are going to show you what they are the most affected provinces due to high pollen levels. But first let's focus on explaining what it is and how it affects us.
What exactly is pollen?
Pollen grains under the microscope
It is a kind of very fine dust or microscopic grains that produce the spermatophyte plants, that is, they have seeds. It develops in the pollen sacs, which, in turn, are found in the anthers of the stamens. As you know, it plays a fundamental role in the plant reproduction. Specifically, it carries male reproductive cells.
The process by which it combines with the female ovule to give rise to seeds and fruits is called pollination. Likewise, this can develop in the same flower (hermaphrodite plants) and is called self pollination. But, most of the time it is done between different flowers and is called Cross pollination.
Precisely, it is the latter that causes the problems with high pollen levels. The pollination vectors They transport grains from one plant to another. These can be living entities such as insects or birds, but also so-called abiotic ones, such as water or wind. The presence of pollen in the air causes allergic problems to those who are sensitive to these grains.
Likewise, the months in which pollination occurs the most are those that go from January to June. For this reason, they are also the ones that condense the largest amounts of pollen in the environment and, consequently, the worst for allergy sufferers. But what exactly is allergy?
What is pollen allergy?
A person undergoing allergy testing
We call that immune system reaction with a substance that is harmless to the person (or host) and that the person receives through different means such as inhalation, ingestion or simple skin contact. In a less scientific sense, we could talk about a hypersensitivity before that substance. Therefore, the error of our defenses is not in their response, but in unleashing it against an element that It's no threat.
The consequence is the host disease. In turn, this can be of different kinds depending on the substance that causes it and the organ that is affected. But, among these ailments, the most common are usually dermatitis or disease of the skin and rhinitis or inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. In addition, the latter also includes congestion and runny nose, sneezing and itching.
But allergies can also cause asthma and, in more serious situations, anaphylaxis. This is what we call the severe reaction of the body that occurs quickly and widely and is potentially fatal if not treated quickly. Precisely, it is distinguished from the allergic reaction in that anaphylaxis seriously compromises the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
Therefore, pollen allergy is the reaction of the body of a person who is hypersensitive to this substance upon coming into contact with it. The plants that cause it the most are the grasses such as sugar cane, oats or rye and trees such as the olive tree or the shade plane.
Its most common consequence is the appearance of skin eczema, respiratory problems, and even conjunctivitis in the eyes. However, the aforementioned anaphylaxis is more common in cases of ingestion of foods to which the individual is allergic. For more information on how climate influences these processes, you can consult climate and allergiesNow that we've clarified everything related to allergies and the effects they can have on people, let's focus on the provinces most affected by high pollen levels.
Provinces of Spain with high pollen levels
Pollen accumulated on the shore of a lake
We have already told you that pollen allergy affects health of those who suffer from it. But also, of course, limits the lives of these people. During the time when there is a greater presence of the substance, they should reduce their outdoor activities and the disease can even affect their work or school performance, depending on their age.
As for the provinces of Spain with higher levels of pollen, we have to look for the causes, as we have already told you, in the type of vegetation they have and their climate. But the levels of these grains also they change every year. That is, during one spring there may be more pollen in the environment than during another.
In any case, due to this, the autonomous communities that tend to present the most problems for allergy sufferers are those of Madrid, Andalusia, Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha and Navarra (the latter in its northern area). On the other hand, those in the north and those in the Levantine area are better for those who suffer from the disease. For example, they will find themselves more comfortable in communities such as Asturias, Galicia, the Valencian Country or the Balearic Islands.
Regarding the provinces and taking the most recent data, we find in Red alert due to high pollen levels in the provinces of Badajoz, Córdoba, Seville and Ciudad Real. Likewise, another eleven have been presenting more moderate levels. They are those of Madrid, Ávila, Albacete, Cuenca, Jaén, Granada, Cádiz, Málaga, Huelva, Cáceres and ToledoHowever, these last three have now joined the first, as their pollen count has increased. To check the situation in each province, you can visit .
What type of pollen affects the most in each province?
The province of Badajoz is the first in Spain in terms of high pollen levels. In the photo, its capital
You should also know that each province is more affected by one type of pollen than another. This is essential because some people are allergic to a specific type of pollen, while others are more allergic to it. For the former, it's highly recommended to know this information, as it can know what type of pollen is most present in each area.
Thus, grasses occur throughout the Spanish territory, but they are more abundant in the south and the center, with a good presence also on the Cantabrian coast and even in the Canary Islands. We can tell you the same about olive about central and southern areas, although this is also found in the coastal parts of Catalonia. Precisely, the Nettles are very common in the latter community, as well as in places of Aragon. But the type of pollen with the most presence in the center and northeast of the peninsula is the oak and holm oak. Finally the shadow banana It had its pollination moment in April and since then it has seen its activity decrease.
In general terms, we can say that this year the pollen calendar is being met quite normally. The only exception is that of the birch, whose pollination should be more intense in its areas of influence, especially the Cantabrian coast and Barcelona. But, otherwise, May is being active for the movement of pollen. For example, him Pine is the protagonist in the central zone and Aragón, while the olive It is being so in Andalusia and Levante.
When will high pollen allergies ease up?
Antihistamines are essential when there are high pollen levels
IF you suffer from an allergy, you will know that it never goes away completely. Throughout the year you can suffer exacerbations. But it is true that there is a season in which, precisely, the abundance of pollen in the environment causes allergic symptoms are stronger and more uncomfortable. As you also know, it is spring.
Therefore, The arrival of summer is usually beneficial for allergy sufferers. Temperatures rise and plants usually end their annual biological cycle. As a result, there are fewer amounts of pollen in the air. Consequently, summer brings improvement for people with this condition.
However, the reality of Spain in terms of climate and vegetation is varied. And due to these regional particularities, The end of the allergy stage is different in each of the provincesTo give you an idea, trees like cypresses and thujas pollinate between January and February. Pines, on the other hand, begin their pollination process in March and end in June. Even weeds and mugwort extend their pollination process until July, and urticaceae until August. Among the latter, we have ferns and orchids, which are especially common in the provinces of the Spanish Levant, including the Balearic Islands. But if you want to know how the climate affects these processes, you can check out . Therefore, in these areas, it will take longer for the presence of pollen in the air to decrease.
In any case, if you are allergic to these grains, there is also some measures you can take to find you better. If possible, don't go outside much at times of maximum pollination. And, after doing so, shower and change your clothes to remove any remaining pollen. But, above all, consult a specialist to give you personalized treatment and, if necessary, prescribe respiratory decongestants or antihistamines. For more information, you can consult when allergy seasons extend and key dates.
In conclusion, we have shown you which are the Spanish provinces most affected by high pollen levels. But we have also explained everything you need to know about the alergies What these vegetable grains cause in millions of people. If you think you suffer from this problem, go ahead and consult it.