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Seasonal rhinitis (pollen)
Hay fever. Grasses April-July. Olive, cypress too.
Treatments
✓ Antihistamines✓ Cortisone nasal spray✓ Immunotherapy
Allergology
Living with allergies
Rhinitis, asthma, eczema, food allergies · pollen calendar and seasonal advice.
Allergy types
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Animal allergy
Cat, dog, horse. Saliva/dander proteins. Respiratory + skin symptoms.
Treatments
✓ Avoidance is hard✓ Antihistamines✓ Specific immunotherapy
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Dust mites & moulds
Year-round. Peaks autumn/winter. Bedding dust, humidity.
Treatments
✓ Anti-mite covers✓ Dehumidification✓ Antihistamines
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Food allergies
Peanut, tree nuts, fish, egg, milk. Can be severe (anaphylactic shock).
Treatments
✓ Strict avoidance✓ Adrenaline pen (Epipen)✓ Exclusion diet
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Insect stings
Bee, wasp, hornet. Local or generalised reactions.
Treatments
✓ Sting removal✓ Creams✓ Immunotherapy if severe
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Drugs
Penicillin, NSAIDs, iodine. Serious risk — record in medical file.
Treatments
✓ Absolute avoidance✓ Allergy card✓ Skin tests
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Atopic eczema
Dry, red, itchy skin. Common in children, linked to atopic terrain.
Treatments
✓ Emollients✓ Topical cortisone✓ Allergen avoidance
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Allergic asthma
Shortness of breath, wheezing, cough. Triggered by allergens.
Treatments
✓ Bronchodilators✓ Inhaled cortisone✓ Immunotherapy
Morocco pollen calendar
Pollens circulating by season.
January-March
Cypress, mimosa, birch (North)
💡 Start antihistamines as prevention
April-June
Grasses (peak May-June), olive
💡 Sunglasses, evening hair shower
July-August
Grass decline, ragweed
💡 Windows closed during hot hours
September-December
Cypress (autumn peak), pellitory
💡 Damp cleaning, air purifiers
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it's an allergy?+
Recurrent and seasonal symptoms: bouts of sneezing, clear runny nose, itchy/watery eyes, throat itching. Confirmation tests: blood tests (specific IgE), skin tests (prick tests) at an allergist. A cold lasts 7-10 days max; an allergy persists as long as the allergen is present.
When to see an allergist?+
See one if: symptoms > 3 weeks, recurring every year, impacting quality of life, associated asthma, chronic eczema in children, severe reaction (oedema, shock) to food or sting. The allergist runs a precise workup and may offer specific immunotherapy.
Is immunotherapy effective?+
Yes 70-80% for pollen, dust mites, animals, hymenoptera venoms. Duration: 3-5 years. Routes: monthly subcutaneous or daily sublingual. Improvement from 6-12 months. Reimbursed by CNOPS/CNSS with allergist prescription. Best to start outside pollen season.
What to do for anaphylactic shock?+
LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY. Signs: generalised rash, lip/throat swelling, breathing difficulty, blood pressure drop, loss of consciousness. Action: (1) Adrenaline injection (Epipen) into the thigh. (2) Call 141 (SAMU) immediately. (3) Lie flat, legs elevated. (4) Even after improvement, 24h hospitalisation is mandatory.
Can allergies be cured?+
Immunotherapy can reduce or even eliminate symptoms long-term. Children allergic to milk or egg often recover spontaneously by 5-7. Peanut/tree-nut allergy: often lifelong. Antihistamines treat symptoms without curing — don't self-medicate long-term.