Spring is in the air - and so is pollen

As South Africa welcomes warmer days and blossoming landscapes, many people also experience the familiar return of sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, coughing and worsening asthma symptoms. However, pollen exposure is not the same across the country, and “allergy season” does not necessarily begin or end at the same time in every region.

A recently published South African study provides valuable new insight into how airborne pollen patterns differ across the country’s diverse biomes. This blog refers specifically to the findings reported by Matuvhunye et al. (2026) and does not represent original research conducted by Diagno Health.

Five years of South African pollen monitoring

The study analysed airborne pollen collected between 2019 and 2024 in seven South African cities:

· Cape Town

· Durban

· Gqeberha

· Johannesburg

· Pretoria

· Bloemfontein

· Kimberley

These cities represent different biomes, climates and vegetation patterns. Using standardised pollen-monitoring methods, the researchers developed South Africa’s first national, biome-specific pollen calendars based on five years of data (Matuvhunye et al., 2026).

The findings demonstrate why pollen exposure should be understood within a local and regional context rather than relying on allergy calendars developed for Europe or North America.

South Africa does not have one allergy season

According to Matuvhunye et al. (2026), the timing, duration and intensity of pollen seasons differ considerably between South African regions.

Tree-pollen seasons generally started between late July and September. Grass- and weed-pollen seasons were more variable, depending on the biome and local environmental conditions. Inland regions generally experienced longer grass-pollen seasons than coastal regions.

Cape Town recorded the longest average tree-pollen season, lasting approximately 297 days. Kimberley recorded the longest average grass-pollen season at approximately 247 days, while Durban had the shortest average grass season at approximately 71 days (Matuvhunye et al., 2026).

These differences mean that two people living in different parts of South Africa may experience pollen-related symptoms at very different times of the year.

Grass pollen is a major national allergen

The researchers identified 103 pollen taxa across the monitored regions. Grass pollen from the Poaceae family was detected in every biome and was identified as the most widespread pollen type nationally (Matuvhunye et al., 2026).

However, the dominant pollen exposure differed by location:

· Bloemfontein recorded the highest average overall pollen load.

· Kimberley recorded the highest average grass-pollen concentration.

· Johannesburg recorded the highest average tree-pollen concentration.

· Gqeberha recorded the lowest average overall pollen load among the seven monitored cities.

The study also identified several common pollen-producing exotic trees, including Platanus, Cupressaceae, Betula and Myrtaceae (Matuvhunye et al., 2026). In Johannesburg and Pretoria, tree pollen made a particularly significant contribution to overall pollen exposure, partly reflecting the presence of established urban forests.

Why these pollen calendars matter

Pollen calendars can help healthcare professionals interpret a patient’s symptoms in relation to the pollen types circulating in their region at a particular time. They may also support decisions about appropriate allergy investigations, treatment planning and the timing of preventive therapy (Matuvhunye et al., 2026).

For patients, understanding local pollen patterns may make it easier to:

· Recognise possible seasonal triggers

· Prepare for periods of increased pollen exposure

· Seek medical advice before symptoms become severe

· Follow preventive treatment plans as recommended by a healthcare professional

· Reduce exposure where reasonably possible

The researchers emphasise that these calendars provide a national reference rather than a precise prediction for every community. Monitoring was limited to seven urban centres, and local exposure may differ in cities, towns and rural areas not directly represented in the study (Matuvhunye et al., 2026).

Moving beyond “seasonal allergies”

Allergy symptoms can sometimes be attributed broadly to spring without identifying the specific substance responsible. Yet the study shows that pollen exposure may extend far beyond a short spring season, particularly in certain regions.

Where clinically appropriate, molecular allergy testing can help healthcare professionals investigate a patient’s sensitisation profile more precisely. The ALEX³ Allergy Xplorer, distributed by Diagno Health, tests for a broad range of allergen extracts and molecular allergens from a single blood sample. This may support a more detailed understanding of potential triggers when interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical history, symptoms and regional exposure patterns.

Pollen calendars indicate what may be present in the environment; allergy testing helps determine what an individual may be sensitised to. Neither should be interpreted in isolation.

A more locally informed approach to allergy care

The work of Matuvhunye et al. (2026) provides an important foundation for better understanding airborne pollen exposure in South Africa. It also highlights the need for continued pollen monitoring, broader geographic coverage and region-specific approaches to allergy diagnosis and prevention.

At Diagno Health, we believe that locally relevant scientific evidence, supported by innovative diagnostic technologies, can help healthcare professionals make more informed clinical decisions.

This spring, it may be time to look beyond the season—and investigate the specific allergens behind the symptoms.

This blog is an interpretation and discussion of the article by Matuvhunye et al. (2026). Diagno Health was not involved in conducting the study. The information is provided for educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Reference

Matuvhunye, T., Berman, D. M., Esterhuizen, N., Razafimanantsoa, A. H. I., Neumann, F. H., Gharbi, D., Podile, K., Mmatladi, T., Langa, B., Moseri, M. E., Ajikah, L., Effiom, A., Ndlovu, N., Quick, L. J., Hilmer, E., Guscott, M., Davids, S., Van Aardt, A. C., Linde de Jager, J. C., … Peter, J. (2026). Five years of national airborne pollen monitoring in South Africa: Biome-specific calendars to inform allergy diagnosis and prevention. Aerobiologia, 42, Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10453-026-09909-w