Difficult spring expected for allergy sufferers

ALLERGY sufferers may well be set for a difficult spring in the Costa del Sol and more widely in Southern Spain.

Although much of the Costa has been experiencing high rainfall over the last few days, weather forecasters are predicting an unusually warm and dry spring in a year where rainfall is so far 25 per cent below normal.

Warm spring conditions and low rainfall cause many plants to flower and be pollinated earlier in the year, dramatically increasing atmospheric pollen counts and making life more difficult for people with allergic reactions.

Olive trees in particular cause many allergic reactions. Pollen of many species, especially grasses, often remains in the air until June.

Warmer temperatures coming earlier in the year is becoming more regular and has been attributed to global climate change.