Allergy specialist Renato Ariano sheds light on the current pollen situation in Italy
Rome, 16 April 2024 – Allergies to pollen have become a growing concern in Italy, with statistics showing a significant increase in allergic symptoms in the population over the past 30 years. Renato Ariano, a specialist from the AAIITO (Italian territorial and hospital allergists, immunologists) who has been studying pollen for over two decades, explains the current situation.
Ariano attributes the worsening of allergies to climate change and rising temperatures, which have led to an overlap of pollen from different sources. This anomaly has been occurring for about twenty years but has become more pronounced recently, resulting in a bombardment of pollens from trees, plants, and grasses.
Among the most common pollens in this period are those from grasses, parietaria, and cypresses which have seen an extended flowering season from November to April. Ariano advises allergy sufferers to pay close attention to the plant cycle and avoid peak exposure times, especially between 10am to 4pm when pollen levels are highest.
The peak pollen season is expected between May and June, with regional variations in flowering patterns. Ariano also highlights the impact of alien species such as the Japanese cypress and cryptomeria japonica on allergies, noting that while the mechanism remains the same, the quality of the pollen differs.
When it comes to treatment, Ariano mentions preventive drugs, nasal sprays, and desensitizing vaccines as options for managing allergies. These vaccines, administered before the flowering season, can lead to a disappearance of allergies in some individuals within two to three years.
Factors such as genetics, pollution, and food interactions can also trigger allergies, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual triggers and seeking appropriate medical advice. In conclusion, Ariano suggests that while there are no right or wrong foods for allergy sufferers, certain food-pollen interactions like cypress and peach consumption may exacerbate symptoms.
Overall, the insights from Renato Ariano provide valuable information for allergy sufferers in navigating the current pollen season in Italy and taking steps to manage their allergies effectively.