Pollen allergen reports help to understand preseason symptoms

Authors: Rantio-Lehtimäki A.; Matikainen E.

Source: Aerobiologia, Volume 18, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 135-140(6)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Early symptoms of pollen allergies are frequently reported before pollination period of allergenic plant starts. At northern latitudes the main concern is Betulaceae-trees (alders, hazel, birches). Pollen allergen information, based on the analysis of actual airborne allergen concentrations, beside the traditional pollen reports, based on pollen counts, has been given in SW Finland since 1998. 1–2 weeks before the onset of flowering pollen allergens are detected airborne in quantities high enough to provoke symptoms. Information is given on radio and in local newspapers. During the first season of the new service (1998) we carried out a questionnaire study. The results showed that new information service, though not as frequently used as we had hoped for, was useful to allergic persons for starting their medication in time. They also received explanation for their earlier inexplicable symptoms. We recommend both information services to be run concurrently to give the best information to the public.

Keywords: allergen; Betulaceae; consumer research; information service; pollen; preseason symptoms

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Aerobiology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland

Publication date: 2002-06-01