Urgent reminder! For one month, these people should strictly wear protective masks when going out

Have you noticed that when walking on the streets these two days, some sections of the road were covered with "snowflakes". The flying catkins season has arrived! For many people with allergies, this is a "big trouble" in the beautiful spring days. So, how can we do a good job of daily protection during this period? Let's find out together.

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01

The flying catkins mainly come from it, why not replace it?

The flying catkins season in Hangzhou usually arrives from the end of March to April every year and lasts for about a month. Many friends said that after going out for outdoor activities recently and returning home from strolling in the beautiful scenery, they all had varying degrees of "close contact reactions": sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy throat, and some even had symptoms of coughing.

Some netizens on Weibo also said: I feel itchy even through the screen, the annoying flying catkins are starting to float again! It is really difficult for patients with rhinitis.

Flying catkins are not toxic in themselves, but due to their light texture, they often rise and fall with the wind, which can bring up pollen and dust, and can easily become carriers and spreaders of germs. If such flying catkins get on human skin, they can cause skin allergies, such as small rashes, peeling, redness, swelling, itching, and in severe cases, they can cause respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis.

In Hangzhou, there are two main types of flying catkins that bother citizens: one is the "willow catkins" brought by female willow trees, and the other is the flying catkins of sycamore trees. The former is no longer a problem, and in 2018, the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Parks and Culture has promoted suppression technology throughout the city. At present, the flying catkins of sycamore trees are mainly annoying.

"Since flying catkins are disturbing people, can we change the species of trees growing along the roadside?" Someone has raised this question.

As a street tree, the plane tree has its unique advantages and is known as the "king of street trees". They play an incomparable and important role in urban ecological construction and the creation of microclimates. As tall deciduous trees, they grow fast, have strong resistance, and have large crowns. They provide shade in summer, beautiful fallen leaves in autumn, and good light transmission in winter.

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02

Almost there! The flying catkins are being paused

The Hangzhou Garden and Cultural Department has been trying to find a way to control the flying catkins of the sycamore (Paulownia) tree.

In the past, pruning was the main method to control and reduce the occurrence of flying catkins, but the results were minimal. In 2021, a new method was introduced: after follow-up tests, the flying catkins suppression test finally overcame the difficulties.

At present, the flying catkins inhibition test has been carried out on the plane trees on Tongpu Road in Xihu District and Xiangjisi Road in Gongshu District of Hangzhou. After two consecutive years of follow-up of the injection test, it was found that the number of fruiting of the plane trees on the injection road section was greatly reduced, the injection holes healed well, and the growth trend of the plants was good, which means that the flying catkins were significantly reduced.

Injecting pesticides into tree trunks to suppress flying catkins of sycamore trees can not only reduce the impact of plant pesticides on the environment, but the simple operation method is also more conducive to the promotion of this technology. At present, this technology is still in the trial stage, and several roads will continue to be selected for pilot projects this year. If it continues to achieve good suppression effects, it may be promoted throughout Hangzhou in the next 2 to 3 years.

At the same time, Hangzhou has also planted a batch of less-fruiting sycamores in the past two years. This variety of sycamores bears fewer or even no fruit, and is a new variety of sycamores that "does not fly". It is currently being piloted on the northern section of Moganshan Road and other sections.

03

Beware of allergies! Please keep the protection guide

1. Learn to "hide" and "cover". People with allergies should try to reduce outdoor activities when the parasol catkin index is high, such as at noon and in the afternoon; they should do some outdoor activities or exercise in moderation, and it is recommended to choose the early morning, night or after rain when the air humidity is higher.

If you cannot avoid going out, it is recommended to strictly wear a protective mask and long-sleeved clothing. If conditions permit, it is recommended to wear protective glasses or a headscarf, etc., so as to reduce "close contact" with sycamore catkins.

2. Clean the nasal cavity in time. The components of sycamore fluff will adhere to our nasal hair and mucous membranes through breathing. On snowy days, it is recommended that you clean your nasal cavity to remove allergens. It is recommended to use physiological sea salt water to clean your nasal cavity after going out and returning home to keep your nasal cavity clean.

3. Clean your face and clothes. After entering the room, you should clean your face immediately and rinse off the hair on your face. You should change and wash your clothes when you go out and dry them in the sun. Pay special attention to avoid getting the clothes contaminated with sycamore fluff when drying them. If possible, dry them indoors.

When sycamore fluff enters your eyes, remember not to rub it with your hands. You can blink to flush it out with tears, or rinse it with running purified water. If the condition still does not improve, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately.

4. Take medication in advance as directed by your doctor. Patients with allergic rhinitis can start using anti-allergic drugs about a week before the onset of the disease, such as oral anti-allergic drugs + nasal sprays, so that the drug concentration in the nasal cavity can compete with the high concentration of allergens, thereby reducing allergic reactions. Of course, remember to consult a professional doctor first, follow the doctor's advice, and don't be blind!

Beautiful spring

Anti-allergy requires advanced methods

Everyone, take good protection

Enjoy the beauty of April

Source: People's Daily Online Science and Technology Comprehensive Released in Hangzhou

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