Pine pollen is back blowing in the wind

A major indicator that spring is on the way in the Gisborne district comes with a liberal sprinkling of yellow.

A few warm days last week triggered the flow of pine pollen here and the yellow pollen dust build-up can be seen around the streets and on outside surfaces and cars if there is no rain.

On some days at this time of the year, if you are near a pine forest, you can see the wave of yellow dust as it moves off the trees.

Pine pollen arriving also marks the start of allergic reactions, but allergy experts say this is more because it coincides with the start of the less-visible grass pollens.

“Because pine pollen is very visible, very evident, it gets a lot of attention. It is a larger pollen, so is not inhaled in sufficient volume as easily as our grass pollens, says Allergy New Zealand chief executive Mark Dixon.

“Grass pollens are much smaller and mostly invisible to the naked eye, and are the most common cause of airborne allergies in New Zealand”

Grass a bigger issue for allergiesPine pollen does affect some people, but the six main grass varieties grown in New Zealand are the biggest problem for people with pollen allergies, he says.

New Zealand is made up of 50 percent pastoral land. It is also made up of three islands in the middle of the sea, so there is wind and a mild temperate climate — a perfect recipe for a lot of sneezing and watery eyes for those who suffer from airborne allergies, says Mr Dixon.

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is the world’s most chronic health condition, the World Health Organisation says.

More than 1.2 million people in NZ live with allergies either as individuals, or as affected family members.

It can trigger other health events such as asthma attacks.

“It is really debilitating and many people dread this time of the year.

“Some even plan their holidays around the allergy season (spring),” Mr Dixon says.

Auckland Allergy Clinic director Dr Vincent Crump says in his experience very few patients have clinically-significant skin prick test reactions to pine pollen.

However, if a large amount of pine pollen is inhaled, it might cause irritation.

The main tree pollen to cause allergic symptoms in New Zealand comes from silver bi