Pollens, pollution peaks… The confinement linked to the covid-19 epidemic coincides with a period of respiratory allergies. 25% of the French population is affected by these allergic manifestations. Focus on respiratory allergies and their treatments during confinement.
25% of the population is affected by respiratory allergies . During the confinement due to the covid-19 epidemic, the rise in temperatures and the persistence of fine weather led to the massive release of pollen, as well as a episode of spring pollution conducive to the development of allergies.
Half of respiratory allergies in France are due to pollen. They are allergenic particles, that is to say they are capable of causing respiratory allergies in sensitized people. From January to May , it's pollen season for trees (check the pollen calendar).
A massive and varied release of pollen
During confinement, we note the release of birch and cypress pollen, which have a particularly allergenic power. Cypresses are present on a large majority of the territory, they like better in the more northern regions of France with global warming. The pollens of plane trees, oaks, hornbeams, poplars, ash trees and soon olive trees, but also grasses and urticaceae, are also present in the ambient air.
To find out about air pollution by pollen in your department, consult the RNSA map (National Aerobiological Surveillance Network).
Respiratory allergies to pollen even at home
Even confined, you can develop pollen allergies . These plant particles are microscopic and interfere inside homes. Once deposited on surfaces, they can be easily resuspended in the air. The most volatile pollens are also the most allergenic. They are called “anemophilous” because they are carried by the wind.
To limit the presence of pollen in your home, ventilate preferably early in the morning and after dark. Clean regularly using a damp cloth to trap pollen, and vacuum (much more effective if it is equipped with a HEPA filter that catches particles whose diameter is less than 0, 3 micrometer). Before going to bed, rinse your hair or use your shampoo to get rid of the pollen that has settled. Do not dry your laundry outside during pollen season.
In addition to the current episode of massive pollen release, confinement is particularly conducive to the appearance of respiratory allergies for two reasons:
Other respiratory allergies increase during home confinement. This is the case for allergies to dust mites, animal hair, insects (cockroaches…).
For more information, read our article on Outdoor and indoor pollution during confinement.
Some common covid-19 symptoms and allergies to pollens create confusion during confinement and raise concerns. This is the case of cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties for example.
In an interview given to Quotidien du Pharmacien on April 14, 2020, the French-speaking Pneumology Society recalls that there is no fever, chills or loss of smell during allergic episodes, although these symptoms are frequently encountered in the event of covid-19.
In all cases, consult your doctor who can make a diagnosis in the event of respiratory discomfort. He will refer you to another structure if necessary. The management of respiratory allergies is necessary even during periods of confinement. Teleconsultations (remote consultations) are also possible and reimbursed by Health Insurance.
For more information on covid-19, consult the WHO page dedicated to the epidemic or the French government's Info Coronavirus page. If you think you have symptoms of covid-19 and want to know what to do, a government algorithm has been posted online. It has no medical value but can guide you.
Treating Allergies is necessary to fight against inflammation of the airways. This is all the more important during the covid-19 epidemic.
In order to keep allergic respiratory diseases under control and fight against inflammation of the respiratory tract, the French Society of Allergology (Sfa) insists on the need to treat allergies and not to stop current treatments, including inhaled corticosteroids or nasal sprays. Desensitization treatments should also be continued.
Asthma is not recognized as a risk factor for covid-19 because, to date, people with asthma do not seem to be more affected by the epidemic.
However, in its opinion on therapeutic recommendations in the management of covid-19 of March 23, 2020, the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) remains cautious and recalls that people with asthma, and in particular severe asthmatics, are at risk of severe viral respiratory infections, which can also exacerbate asthma. anti-asthmatic treatments must therefore be continued scrupulously during the epidemic, including those containing corticosteroids.
Without severe symptoms, fighting respiratory allergies starts with simple actions and washing solutions formulated from natural products. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Nasal wash
In the context of the covid-19 epidemic, the WHO draws attention to a received idea that nose washing would prevent infection with the new coronavirus. According to the organization, there is currently no evidence to support this practice. In its Information on atypical forms of covid-19 of March 22, 2020, the General Directorate of Health does not recommend nasal washing in the absence of further knowledge to treat covid-19. However, the French ENT Society affirms, in comparison with other situations of viral infections, that it is still possible to wash the nose with saline water if it is deemed essential.
In the absence of covid-19 infection, the treatment of allergies nasal wash is highly recommended by international consensus on allergic rhinitis . Washing with an isotonic seawater spray washes the nasal mucous membranes. If you do not have a spray, it can be replaced by saline pods.
The more concentrated seawater-based hypertonic spray helps decongest inflamed mucous membranes. Other protective sprays, to be sprayed in the morning or even every 6 hours, allow the formation of an impermeable film on the mucous membrane which regains its barrier effect.
Eye wash
Physiological serum, or eye wash solutions enriched with soothing cornflower water, allow washing of the eyes. Soothing solutions relieve irritation.
