[Explanation] The weather in Beijing has changed recently. In addition to the arrival of dusty days, the concentration of pollen also peaked in mid-March.
According to the daily pollen concentration monitoring by the Pollen Research Office of the Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital, the Beijing area has entered the spring pollen period from February 21st, and has entered the peak period in mid-March.
What is the impact of the spring pollen period on susceptible people?
How to prevent pollen allergy?
How to measure the daily pollen monitoring data?
On March 17, a reporter from China News Agency came to the outpatient department and pollen research room of the Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital to learn more.
[Concurrent] Wang Xueyan, Director of Allergy Center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital
This year is February 19, 2021. The pollen monitoring room found the pollen of the elm tree. On the 21st (February), the pollen of the elm tree rose suddenly, reaching 234 grains, indicating that our Beijing area has entered the pollen period.
On March 3rd, we found willow pollen again, about half a month earlier than last year. On March 10th and 11th, as the temperature rises, there will be a small peak of pollen in Beijing. , The main allergenic pollen particles in the air reached more than 1,100 per thousand square millimeters, of which cypress pollen accounted for 794 particles, so cypress pollen is also a major allergenic source.
[Explanation] As the pollen concentration reaches its peak, the number of outpatient consultations in the allergy department is also increasing.
Wang Xueyan introduced that on March 1st, there were 326 visits, an increase of 40%-50% over the past. The number of visits recently averaged more than 400 visits per day.
[Explanation] Relevant data shows that China's population allergic to pollen accounts for 7%-9% of the total population, and it has been increasing year by year in recent years.
How to prevent pollen allergy?
Wang Xueyan gave suggestions.
[Concurrent] Wang Xueyan, Director of Allergy Center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital
Wearing a mask is very effective in preventing the contact between pollen and nasal mucosa, so that the symptoms of rhinitis are greatly reduced, but since last year, we found the most obvious symptom. The patient’s symptoms are itchy eyes as an early symptom, so wear protective glasses It is best to wear that kind of silicone glasses, which can effectively prevent the contact of pollen and eye conjunctiva.
Reduce going out. It is best to close the windows when driving. It is best not to walk in the wind. If you are in the wind, the pollen will be blown directly into your nose and eyes. You have to take a shower when you come back. It is best to close it when you are at home. Doors and windows.
[Explanation] How are pollen concentration data measured?
Ning Huiyu, a pollen monitor from the Allergy Department of Beijing Shijitan Hospital, led reporters to the roof of Shijitan Hospital and saw the pollen sampling equipment: a seat-type sampler.
Every day at 8 o'clock in the morning, Ning Huiyu will come to the top of the building, remove the slides placed the day before, and place new slides, and then interpret the samples in the pollen research room.
[Concurrent] Ning Huiyu, pollen monitor, Allergy Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital
Basically, we use it every day. Now the most widely used method in China is the gravity method. The gravity method uses the gravity of the pollen itself and the meteorological factor of the air and the effect of wind, and then allows the pollen to naturally sink on the surface we have painted. On a glass slide of the adhesive, after 24 hours of air flow in the air on the glass slide, there will be a sedimentation of pollen. After removing this slide, we will dye it and then use it Cover it with a 22×22 mm cover glass. After the cover is covered, we will read it under the microscope and classify and count it.
[Explanation] Ning Huiyu said that after the pollen peak period, there are usually about 1,000 pollen on a glass slide, and the work of reading pictures in recent days has gradually been arduous.
[Explanation] Wang Xueyan reminded that people should pay more attention to their own health protection during the spring pollen peak period. Pollen allergy has obvious seasonality and timeliness. If a certain symptom recurs regularly, pay attention to whether it is allergic.
[Concurrent] Wang Xueyan, Director of Allergy Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital
Hay fever has obvious seasonality and timeliness, it will be onset in this season, and will be relieved after this season.
For example, if a person who had this disease in the first year had no awareness of this aspect, most of them would treat it as a cold.
If you have a cold, itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, and pollen are also these symptoms. He thinks it is a cold for anti-inflammatory treatment. In fact, it will be better after this season.
If the second year is this season and the same symptoms appear again, it is highly suspected that the disease is caused by pollen allergy, and you should go to the hospital to check the source of the allergies.
Dong Zeyu reports from Beijing
Editor in charge: [Liu Xian]