Forecast

Ragweed pollen and fungal spores are responsible for the main allergens!

In Lower Austria, the week begins on a sunny note. In these weather conditions, pollen and fungal spores can fly unhindered. From Monday evening until Tuesday morning it is expected to rain from the Enns to the March. This precipitation will provide some relief for allergy sufferers. The weather will improve again on Wednesday and the sun will appear more often between the clouds. As a result, the concentrations of pollen and fungal spores can become more severe again.

Ragweed, which originates from North America, continues to flower and dust in Lower Austria. Particularly dense populations can be found in the industrial district and the Marchfeld. Here, pumpkin, soya and sunflower fields can be heavily infested by this neophyte. The composite plant, also known as mugwort , is wind-pollinated and therefore produces large quantities of pollen. These contain proteins that are highly allergenic and can lead to allergic reactions at a concentration of just ten pollen grains per cubic metre of air breathed. Especially when the prevailing wind direction is from the east or south-east, ragweed pollen can also reach less infested regions through long-distance transport and cause additional stress for sensitised people.

The annual mugwort flowers and releases large quantities of pollen in the morning. This plant is usually found in places heavily influenced by humans, such as field or roadsides and rubble heaps, where it forms dense stands. These should be avoided by people who are sensitised to this weed.

Canadian goldenrod is also important for people who are sensitised to mugwort or ragweed. It can lead to cross-reactions in these allergy sufferers and cause them additional stress.

Flowering grasses are still occasionally found. Stinging nettle and plantain are also still in bloom. The contamination from these grasses is generally low.

During the rainfall, the fungal spores are washed out of the air so that they are hardly harmful. After the rain, however, the concentration of fungal sp ores in the ambient air can rise again very quickly. At higher altitudes and above the tree line, the levels of fungal spores are noticeably lower.

Pollen from umbellifers, ivy, hemp, hops, balsam, goosefoot and cypress plants have also been detected in the ambient air. These are of minor allergological significance.