Heavy rain during the ongoing spring season reduced pollen count to 168 pcm of air in the capital on Monday which was a sign of relief to allergy patients.
The rain spell along with cloudy weather conditions, according to weather experts, would continue with gaps for the next 48 hours so allergy patients can relax during the next few days.
During the spring season in Islamabad, sprouting process of trees start and it produces pollen grains in the air that is problematic for the people suffering from respiratory diseases.
The pollen producing species in the capital are mainly pines, grasses, cannabis and paper mulberry.
Among them, paper mulberry pollen has the largest concentration in Islamabad and it peaks in March.
This season, the pollen count has already hit the mark of 40,000.
Talking to APP, Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Dr. Ghulam Rasool said the allergy patients may have certain relief from the symptoms caused by pollen allergy during the next few days. The pollen count will begin to rise again after the prevailing rain spell.
According to experts, normally observed symptoms of pollen allergy include sneezing accompanied by a runny or clogged nose, itching eyes, nose, and throat, watering of eyes, difficulty in breathing, conjunctivitis – an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelids causing red-rimmed eyes.
Some people with pollen allergy develop asthma, a serious respiratory condition, Dr. Ghulam Rasool warned.
Individuals with pollen allergy should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants such as dust, insect sprays, tobacco smoke, fresh tar or paint, use of perfumes, walking in garden, using carpets on the floor and keeping the window of car close while travelling.
The symptoms experienced by allergy sufferers vary from patient to patient and at varying level of pollen and mold concentrations.
