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Tengrinews.kz – In Almaty, residents have been reporting a sudden worsening of their health, with symptoms of allergies, Tengrinews.kz reports.
Dozens of posts have appeared on social media, with people sharing similar complaints.
Actor Sanjar Madi wrote: "Something triggered my allergy with double force yesterday. Anyone else notice this?"
Many followers replied that they too were experiencing difficulties. TV presenter Erkebulan Myrzabek shared that he encountered a similar situation:
"I thought I was the only one. It’s really intense," he said.
A local resident mentioned that after lunch, colleagues started sneezing and coughing in unison.
"At first, I thought they were allergic to me, but after reading similar posts, it didn’t seem funny anymore. The city – the donor of Kazakhstan’s treasury – is suffocating in traffic and polluted air," she said.
Residents described the symptoms differently.
"After 2 p.m., my allergy flared up dramatically. My nose is red, I have a runny nose, my eyes are watering, and I sneeze every 3 minutes. My husband also started feeling it after lunch. Almaty, what’s going on?" one social media user wrote.
Another user expressed their exhaustion: "Everyone in Almaty has allergy flare-ups today. I sneeze every second, I can’t take it anymore. When will it finally end?"
Professor Kayrat Tabynov from the Kazakh National Agrarian University explained that the city is experiencing the second peak of ragweed blooming.
"Last week, ragweed pollen remained at critically high levels for five out of seven days, and on Saturday, it reached a record 1,173 grains per cubic meter, surpassing previous season records," he said.
The allergy contributors were broken down as follows:
- Ragweed (Artemisia) – 80%
- Ambrosia – 7%
- Cladosporium herbarum – 6%
- Alternaria alternata – 5%
After the rain, the number of fungal spores in the air increased significantly, further contributing to the allergy flare-ups.
Allergist Dr. Tair Nurpeisov noted that various environmental factors and lifestyle habits are contributing to the rising allergy cases in the city.
"In our city, all the factors that promote the growth of allergies have come together: long summers, cold winters, lack of winds, poor ecology, high population density, a 'Western' lifestyle, a huge variety of foods from all over the world, and various types of vegetation," he said.
Allergist Aigerim Kasymova added that the current allergy peak is due to the overlap of ragweed and ambrosia pollens, as well as the fallen leaves creating a perfect environment for mold fungi like Cladosporium and Alternaria.
"Their spores are floating in the air, causing allergic reactions. The wind spreads this mix throughout the city, and dust and smoke worsen irritation of the respiratory system," she explained.
Dr. Kasymova recommended limiting outdoor activities in dry and windy weather, wearing masks, closing windows, and purifying the air indoors.
She also advised using second-generation antihistamines, saline nasal washes, and topical steroid sprays for symptoms.
"But full allergy treatment requires specific immunotherapy (ASIT), which is best started in the winter," she added.
What residents should do
Experts suggest:
- Minimize walks in the morning and during dry, windy weather
- Wear masks and glasses outside
- Wash up and change clothes immediately after returning home, and rinse your nose
- Avoid drying laundry outdoors to prevent pollen from settling on it
As ragweed continues to bloom in Almaty, specialists warn that there remains a high risk of allergy flare-ups for sensitive individuals.
