Masks and pollen allergies: how to behave?

, the use of the masks even outdoors could create some further discomfort for people with symptomatic pollen allergy.

Assosalute, the national self-medication association which is part of Federchimica, has highlighted how allergy is a more widespread disorder than one might think. In fact, almost four million Italians suffer from it, mostly of young age, with symptoms more or less evident and persistent in the long term.

even outdoors and the reduced possibility of spending time outside the four walls of the home, the lockdown period could be beneficial in case of pollen allergy. As also confirmed by the Italian Territorial and Hospital Allergologists Association (AAIITO), it is expected a reduction in daily exposure to allergy symptoms, because the masks filter the virus and therefore also the pollen.

This year, however, as in the past year, the pollen allergy season may not be like any other, as people are locked up in their homes as a result of coronavirus containment provisions. Also for the researchers of the SIAAIC (Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma and Clinical Immunology), pollen allergy sufferers could suffer less and have fewer symptomatic manifestations deriving from exposure. In a context in which people spend much more time indoors, and if using masks, pollen allergy sufferers are better able to protect the respiratory tract.

. Even the mood begins to suffer.

of the patient. On the contrary, the mask can become an additional protection factor by helping to filter more pollen grains which during the spring season begin to be airborne by the flowering plants ".

The filter of the anti Covid-19 masks shields from the virus, but also from pollen. The size of the pollen of the fungal spores, in fact, is between 1 and 15 microns. Much larger than the coronavirus, which ranges in size from 0.6 to 0.14 microns. The filter of the masks, therefore, can help prevent the inhalation of these aerobiological particles, with the evident benefit of reducing allergic symptoms.

Which masks are best suited for allergy sufferers?

The masks, for allergy sufferers (4 million Italians), are also essential to protect themselves from pollen. Fundamental, especially for allergy sufferers, is the replacement of protective devices: change the mask at least every two days, or find a way to sanitize it (without alcohol or alcohol-based disinfectants) and clean it. In this way, dust and pollen can be eliminated from the protections. People allergic to pollen will be able to use disposable surgical masks or washable or FFp2 masks (even if it is the type of mask that is less suitable in case of asthma). In case of major asthmatic manifestations, it is possible to use multilayer fabric masks, which are suitable for providing an adequate barrier and, at the same time, guaranteeing comfort and breathability.

Avoid using chemicals (such as alcohol or disinfectants) to sanitize the masks, so as not to breathe these products which could contribute to triggering bronchospasm attacks for asthma sufferers.