Andalusia Allergy Alert: High Pollen Levels Forecasted for 2024

Unusual weather patterns in Andalucía, Spain, are creating conditions for a potentially severe allergy season. A prolonged period of storms followed by unseasonably warm temperatures is prompting allergists to advise patients to begin preventative medication now, as pollen levels are expected to surpass those of the previous year – which were already higher than usual.

Rising Pollen Levels and Regional Impact

Pilar Lara, an allergist at Virgen Macarena Hospital and a member of the Aerobiology Committee of the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, highlighted the concerning trend. In the province of Sevilla, cypress pollen levels reached 655 grams per cubic metre of air on February 16th, measured at the Hospital del Tomillar station in Dos Hermanas. This significantly exceeds the reactive level of 135 grams per cubic metre, the threshold at which symptoms begin to manifest in patients.

Did You Know? Cypress pollen levels in Sevilla reached 655 grams per cubic metre of air on February 16th, far exceeding the reactive threshold of 135 grams.

Pollen Progression and Mitigation Strategies

Following cypress, pollen from shadow plane trees and olive trees is anticipated to rise. Dr. Lara recommends “barrier” measures to minimize exposure, including avoiding fields and green spaces, wearing sunglasses, and limiting open windows during peak pollination hours. Allergy vaccines are also proving to be an effective method for managing symptoms.

Advances in diagnostics are allowing for more personalized vaccine compositions, tailored to the specific proteins triggering a patient’s allergic reaction. This increased precision is expected to improve vaccine efficacy.

Prevalence of Allergies in Andalucía and Spain

Data from the Andalusian Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Alergosur) indicates that 25% of the urban population and 15% of the rural population in Andalucía – over 2.5 million people – suffer from some form of allergy. The most common allergens are grass and olive pollen, often resulting in symptoms of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma.

Expert Insight: The combination of unusual weather and increasingly precise diagnostic tools suggests a growing need for proactive allergy management and personalized treatment plans. The high number of allergy sufferers in Andalucía underscores the public health implications of these environmental changes.

Nationwide, approximately eight million people in Spain – around 16.5% of the population – are allergic to pollen, according to the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Seaic). Virgen Macarena Hospital, a leading facility in allergy care, handled 25,000 consultations in 2025, including 6,000 first-time referrals from primary care physicians.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of pollen are expected to cause the most problems?

The most common allergens are pollen from grasses and olive trees, which can cause symptoms like rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma.

What is considered a reactive pollen level?

A reactive pollen level, the point at which symptoms begin to appear in patients, is declared at 135 grams per cubic metre of air.

How many allergy sufferers are there in Andalucía?

According to Alergsur, 25% of the urban population and 15% of the rural population in Andalucía – over 2.5 million people – suffer from some type of allergy.

As pollen seasons shift and intensify, will individuals be more proactive in seeking allergy testing and personalized treatment options?