Visitors heading to southern Spain this week are being warned to prepare for severe allergy symptoms as pollen levels across parts of Andalucia surge to maximum levels.
Forecasts for areas including Marbella and the Costa del Sol show several allergens – including olive, oak and parietaria pollen – reaching the highest alert category until and including Friday.
The warning comes as warm temperatures and dry conditions create ideal circumstances for pollen to spread rapidly through the air, particularly during the peak spring allergy season.
Olive pollen, which is especially common across Andalucia, is known for triggering strong reactions in both residents and tourists, even among people who do not normally suffer badly from hay fever in northern Europe.
Symptoms linked to high pollen exposure can include sneezing fits, itchy or watery eyes, blocked noses, coughing, fatigue and headaches. In more serious cases, asthma sufferers may experience breathing difficulties.
The problem is expected to be particularly noticeable in inland and coastal areas surrounded by vegetation and olive groves, including Marbella, Estepona, Mijas and parts of Malaga province.
No province is spared from the red-level warnings, including Sevilla, Jaen and Cordoba.
Many tourists arriving from the UK and northern Europe may be caught off guard, with experts often warning that Mediterranean pollen can feel far more aggressive than what they are used to back home.
Health advice during periods of extreme pollen includes keeping windows closed at night, showering after spending time outdoors and avoiding exercise during the hottest and windiest parts of the day, when pollen circulation tends to peak.
Pharmacies across Spain stock a wide range of antihistamines, while saline nasal sprays and sunglasses can also help reduce symptoms.
The alert comes as southern Spain continues to experience unusually warm spring conditions, with temperatures already climbing well above seasonal averages in several parts of the country.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
