Forecast

Sun and high temperatures: fungal spores and grasses continue to cause problems!

From the Schneeberg to the Waldviertel it will be hot and dry this week. During this weather situation, the pollen count can take place unhindered. Allergy sufferers can expect a week with a heavy load of pollen and fungal spores.

Although the peak of the grass pollen count in Lower Austria is already over, sensitised people cannot breathe a sigh of relief for much longer as there are still high pollen concentrations in the ambient air. A large number of grasses, including couch grass, grass couch grass, crested grass, riding grass, bluegrass and ryegrass, are in bloom. Wheat and rye have finished flowering and the first cereal fields are being threshed. Grass pollenallergy sufferers should avoid the area around these crops.

In meadows and along roadsides, plantain and dock can be an additional burden. Stinging nettles also bloom and their pollen can irritate sensitised people.

From the Enns to the March, the lime trees and privet have already passed their peak. Although lime pollen is of little relevance from an allergological point of view, the scent of the flowers can cause irritation in sensitive people. Privet is important for people who are sensitised to olive trees, as this plant species can trigger allergies.

The tree of heaven, a neophyte from Asia, is currently in bloom. It grows either in parks or along railway embankments. Not much is yet known about its allergen potential, but allergic skin reactions have already been documented.

The number of green alder pollen continues to decrease in our monitoring centres. This alder species is found in Lower Austria in the higher altitudes of the cider and industrial districts. People who are sensitised to birch plants should be prepared for possible exposure when walking through the sub-alpine distribution area of this plant. In the coming days, long-distance transport of greenalder pollen into the lowlands is possible, which can cause additional stress.

Moderate to high concentrations of fungal spores may be reached this week. People who are sensitised to this should avoid the vicinity of grain fields that are currently being threshed. The dust stirred up contains large quantities of fungal spores.

Ragweed is currently sprouting in fields and along roadsides. This non-native, highly allergenic plant does not flower until August. If you discover populations of this neophyte while out and about, you can report them via the citizen science project "Ragweed Finder". The information collected will be verified by experts and forwarded to the relevant authorities of the state government. If you report findings now, appropriate steps can sometimes be taken before the plants flower, thus preventing the release of pollen. You can report findings either via the app (for Android and iOS) or on the website. There you will also find further information about ragweed and can view the reports from previous years.

Other types of pollen in the ambient air: umbellifers, goosefoot and buttercup plants as well as clove plants, sour grasses and cypress plants. These are of minor allergological importance.