Every region of mainland Portugal will be facing high levels of pollen in the atmosphere until Thursday, according to the Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (SPAIC). SPAIC has warned that outdoor activities should be avoided when pollen levels are this high.
In the region of Lisbon and Setubal, high pollen levels are predominantly found in olive and oak trees, nettle herbs, grasses, plantain, and chenopodium. In Porto, high pollen levels are present in oak and pine trees, as well as nettle grass.
The areas of Alentejo, Coimbra, and Algarve are also facing very high levels of pollen. However, this issue is not present in the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, as levels will remain low in these areas during the week.
SPAIC has stated, “Walks in the garden, cutting grass, camping, or practicing sports outdoors will increase the exposure to pollen and the risk of allergies”. The Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology believes that medication will be the most effective way to fight allergy symptoms. They also urge people to see allergology specialists to make sure they receive the correct diagnosis and medication.