Spring allergies lasting longer this year due to warmer temperatures
- 5 years ago
Time now for our "Life & Info" segment... where we focus on information useful for your everyday life.
We're now at the peak of Spring in South Korea, with flowers in full bloom and generally pleasant weather.
But for those who suffer from hay fever, it can be one of the most uncomfortable times of the year.
We have our Oh Soo-young in the studio to talk about what causes springtime allergies and how to deal with the symptoms.
So Soo-young. Today's issue is one that's rather personal for you, isn't?
That's right, Mark. I'm among the growing number of South Koreans who suffer from hay fever-- around 17 percent of the population, according to health authorities.
I've had hay fever since I was ten, and it always comes in Spring, around this time.
There are around three periods during the year when you get hay fever. If you are affected in Spring, it means you're allergic to pollen from trees. In Summer, it's pollen that's released by grass, and if you get symptoms around early fall, the pollen comes from weeds.
I'm lucky, I guess becuase I've never suffered hay fever in my life, but I hear it's horrible. So how exactly does pollen... trigger allergic reactions?
Well, basically, once pollen comes into contact with your eyes or lands deep inside your nose or airways -- the pollen's outer coat can burst, releasing allergenic proteins.
This activates the mast cells which are your immune system's first line of defense. They release a strong chemical called histamine, which causes swelling of blood vessels, itchy eyes, a runny nose and lots of sneezing. For severe cases of hay fever, the symptoms can be much worse, leading to headaches, earaches, excessive tiredness, and worsening of asthma.
It's your body reacting to fight off the foreign substance -- in this case, pollen -- which is actually harmless.
So you can think of it as a false alarm. A highly irritating one.
And for you, this only happens around Spring. Well, Spring came earlier this year, so I assume that's rather unfortunate for hay fever sufferers?
Yes. According to Professor Cho Seok-hyun of Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, changes in the weather certainly can impact people with seasonal allergies.
"As temperatures rise, trees and plants grow stronger and flowers blossom earlier too. So the period of exposure to pollen gets longer. So, recently, we've seen a growing number of patients suffering from hay fever."
So for those of our viewers who get hay fever in spring... which trees should they look out for and avoid if possible?
Well, researchers say there are around 13 types of trees on the peninsula that release pollen which cause allergies. The worst offenders are oak trees, which make up about one third of the country's greenery. The pollen from oak trees start to spread from the end of February and the amount of pollen peaks between April and May.
Pine trees and alder trees also release pollen that triggers hay fever. Gingko trees were also on the list so it's not just the pung
We're now at the peak of Spring in South Korea, with flowers in full bloom and generally pleasant weather.
But for those who suffer from hay fever, it can be one of the most uncomfortable times of the year.
We have our Oh Soo-young in the studio to talk about what causes springtime allergies and how to deal with the symptoms.
So Soo-young. Today's issue is one that's rather personal for you, isn't?
That's right, Mark. I'm among the growing number of South Koreans who suffer from hay fever-- around 17 percent of the population, according to health authorities.
I've had hay fever since I was ten, and it always comes in Spring, around this time.
There are around three periods during the year when you get hay fever. If you are affected in Spring, it means you're allergic to pollen from trees. In Summer, it's pollen that's released by grass, and if you get symptoms around early fall, the pollen comes from weeds.
I'm lucky, I guess becuase I've never suffered hay fever in my life, but I hear it's horrible. So how exactly does pollen... trigger allergic reactions?
Well, basically, once pollen comes into contact with your eyes or lands deep inside your nose or airways -- the pollen's outer coat can burst, releasing allergenic proteins.
This activates the mast cells which are your immune system's first line of defense. They release a strong chemical called histamine, which causes swelling of blood vessels, itchy eyes, a runny nose and lots of sneezing. For severe cases of hay fever, the symptoms can be much worse, leading to headaches, earaches, excessive tiredness, and worsening of asthma.
It's your body reacting to fight off the foreign substance -- in this case, pollen -- which is actually harmless.
So you can think of it as a false alarm. A highly irritating one.
And for you, this only happens around Spring. Well, Spring came earlier this year, so I assume that's rather unfortunate for hay fever sufferers?
Yes. According to Professor Cho Seok-hyun of Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, changes in the weather certainly can impact people with seasonal allergies.
"As temperatures rise, trees and plants grow stronger and flowers blossom earlier too. So the period of exposure to pollen gets longer. So, recently, we've seen a growing number of patients suffering from hay fever."
So for those of our viewers who get hay fever in spring... which trees should they look out for and avoid if possible?
Well, researchers say there are around 13 types of trees on the peninsula that release pollen which cause allergies. The worst offenders are oak trees, which make up about one third of the country's greenery. The pollen from oak trees start to spread from the end of February and the amount of pollen peaks between April and May.
Pine trees and alder trees also release pollen that triggers hay fever. Gingko trees were also on the list so it's not just the pung