Hayfever season kicks off early due to mild winter temperatures

The online weather platform Meteovista has reported that recent mild temperatures have kicked off the hayfever season earlier than expected in Belgium.

Some species of trees have started to bloom, and the Sciensano Health Institute has reported a sharp rise in pollen per square metre, reports RTBF.

The mild weather conditions have hastened the blossoming process of alder and hazelnut trees. Hayfever sufferers could see some relief towards the end of January or the start of February if the cold weather returns and slows down the pollen pandemic.

At the moment, though, the wind and rain have been more autumnal than wintery. The latter has provided some much-needed respite as precipitation ‘cleanses’ the air of any pollen. Dry and windy weather is the worst combination for allergy sufferers.

Most people, however, are allergic to birch pollen. The tree usually blooms later, during April, but can start earlier if February and March experience milder conditions.

Sciensano sent this warning to hayfever sufferers in a recent Tweet: “The pollen season has started and is unusually early this year. Are you allergic to alder or hazel #pollen? Then follow your doctor’s or allergist’s advice.”

Photo: © Belga/Nicolas Maeterlinck