Early spring hayfever hell in central and southern Spain, but few problems on the Mediterranean

The pollen count is expected to be high over the next few weeks for banana trees, with Andalucía, Catalunya, Extremadura, Aragón and Madrid being the main affected areas.

About eight million people in Spain suffer from hayfever – to a level which requires treatment, even if only over-the-counter medication – and those whose condition is worsened by high pollen counts has risen in 10 years from 22% to 33%.

Olive trees, cypress and bananas are among those which are most likely to spark allergic reactions, although fortunately for those on the Mediterranean, orange trees seem less of an aggravating factor.

But it's not as bad as it sounds, says the Spanish Allergy Society (SEAIC): last spring was much more intense in terms of pollen levels than that of 2017 is expected to be.

Still, for those living in the cities and provinces of Sevilla, Jaén, Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza, this may be cold comfort, as they are already dealing with the effects of very high pollen levels.

Measured in grams per cubic metre of air, the worst count in the whole of Spain is in Madrid, at a whopping 2.32 kilos.

Canary Islanders are unlikely to encounter any problems, whilst those in the centre of the mainland and on the Mediterranean, including the Balearics, may have the odd sneezing fit, but are not expected to suffer too greatly.

Allergies are tending to linger year-round these days, says Dr Miguel Moral of the SEAIC – largely thanks to the ongoing drought, and the ever-increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which are a symptom of modern urban life.

This means hayfever patients barely have time to recover from one outbreak before the next comes along.

Dr Moral explains which trees to avoid most, and when, for those who have hayfever.

Banana trees tend to pollinate in mainland Spain in the second half of March and the first half of April, and although they flourish best in areas closest to the tropics, they are often planted in large cities to provide shade in summer.

Cypress trees also pollinate around the same time, and are particularly densely-clustered in the provinces of Lleida (northern inland Catalunya), Sevilla, and Toledo in Castilla-La Mancha.

Generally, according to the SEAIC's 'pollen map', early spring will be easiest for hayfever sufferers anywhere on the coast except in Andalucía, relatively problem-free in the Canaries and a sheer nightmare in Extremadura.

Given that 'we have more and more pets these days', Dr Moral says owners should carefully watch their dogs, cats and even hamsters.

Vets normally prefer not to treat animals with mild to moderate hayfever reactions, since it is healthier for them to build up an immunity and ill-advised to give them regular drugs that they may develop a resistance to over time.

But older animals, especially those with respiratory troubles, and those who are clearly in constant discomfort or distress should be taken to the vet for an injection.

As for humans, the SEAIC says hayfever sufferers should keep a daily check on pollen counts on the internet, and avoid going out into the countryside or driving with the windows down on high-risk days, staying at home with the windows closed – but ventilating the house once a day at around midday – and, if they are forced to go outside, to wear sunglasses.