Get the tissues ready! Grass pollens are on the offensive. They are currently circulating very actively throughout the territory. A situation that pushed the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) to place, Monday, May 22, 81 French departments in red vigilance. In these territories, the risk of allergies is therefore very high. The wind and the sun of these last days do not help the situation of the unfortunates who, each year, see their noses double in size and their eyes redden. The National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) also predicts a peak in allergic risk for the end of the month and a persistence of risks until the end of July.
So, faced with this microscopic flower dust that catches millions of French people every year, it is necessary, most of the time, to be patient, many packets of tissues or an effective treatment. It is also possible to recycle boxes of masks that remain from the Covid-19 period in order to create a barrier against the infiltration of pollen into the respiratory tract. A solution that seems in any case to be approved by a good number of our readers!
The mask is an ally in the war against allergies
And this “from 2017, well before the pandemic”, argues Nathalie. From that time, our reader realized that “wearing a fabric mask during pollen peaks reduced allergy attacks and their frequency”. For Nathalie, the mask has become an ally which, “in addition to homeopathic granules” made it possible to sweep away allergies. From now on, she wears a fabric mask as soon as she goes out and affirms that “thanks to this, I have banished angina, allergies, colds from my life.
Frédéric, who is “used to running in the forest and across fields”, also uses “a white fabric mask provided by National Education” and recognizes, relieved that after “half an hour of running I don’t I don’t have a runny nose, itchy throat, or even itchy eyes. Conversely, he notes that when he does not use a mask, “I can’t even finish mowing because I have a runny nose. »
Nothing better than an FFP2
Same observation for Audrey who uses the surgical mask “at least the first hours of exposure of the day, this makes it possible to limit the inconvenience”, she notes. And, for a year, she says she “discovered the FFP2 mask [masque filtrant] which is more efficient [et constitue] the only solution[tofightagainstallergies”accordingtoher[pourluttercontrelesallergies »selonelle
The FFP2 mask is also enjoying some success among our readers wishing to protect themselves from aggressive pollens. For Philippe, Annie or Simone, the FFP2 mask constitutes a very effective barrier against pollen of all kinds. Annie wears it outside which allows her not to sneeze and have a runny nose “non-stop”. Philippe and Simone wear it when they go to the garden or mow the lawn, “it is the only mask allowing you to breathe correctly with a congested nose”, underlines Philippe who specifies that his mask has a valve.
Studies conducted in Strasbourg in a pollen exposure chamber made it possible to test different types of masks and to notice a reduction in allergic symptoms when wearing these devices.
Not the quick fix
If wearing a mask is recognized as an effective means by the French Federation of Allergology and the National Aerobiological Monitoring Network, there is still no miracle solution. It can let some finer particles through which can also seep in from the side if the mask is not tight enough. Again, the FFP2 remains the best alternative among the different types of masks. The best is still to respect his treatment if you have one.
Because, among our readers, some have not had the chance to notice a significant drop in their allergic attacks while wearing a mask. This is the case of Catherine who has “a runny nose for two weeks as well as headaches and watery eyes” despite the mask.