Allergic pollen due to mild weather

Hay fever: Hazelnut and alder pollen are already in the air due to mild temperatures

10/01/2013

The extremely mild winter has extremely unpleasant consequences for allergy sufferers. Already, the first pollen are in the air. „The first flights of hazel and alder pollen have been measured in Germany for a few days. Despite the still low pollen count, allergy sufferers react comparatively violently“, This is the current communication from the European Foundation for Allergy Research (ECARF) in Berlin.

Not only did the pollen season start extremely early this year, but the allergy sufferers also expect a particularly strong pollen count of birch and hazelnut pollen in 2013, explained Professor Dr. med. med. Karl-Christian Bergmann, ECARF expert and head of the German Pollen Information Service (PID) Foundation based at the Charité. „Hazel and birch pollen are unlikely to fly longer, but in higher concentrations“, stressed the expert.

Even a low pollen concentration causes severe allergic reactions
Although only a few pollen currently fly, at the beginning of the pollen season, even this small amount of hazelnut and alder pollen in many hay fever patients leads to severe allergic symptoms, „as they are otherwise found only in the later course of the pollen season with stronger pollen“, reports the European Foundation for Allergy Research. According to the press release of the foundation, this is already enough „one to five hazelnut pollen per cubic meter of air“ to cause typical hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes in adult pollen allergy sufferers. Later in the hay fever season, the „Symptoms are triggered only at a concentration of five to ten hazelnut pollen per cubic meter of air“, reports the ECARF

Particularly strong pollen count in 2013
ECARF expert Professor Bergmann cites two key factors as the reason for the severe allergic reaction of hay fever patients at the beginning of the year: „First, hay fever allergy in January for several months no contact with pollen and these allergens are no longer used“, on the other hand „the sensitivity of the nose may be greatly increased by previous infections such as common cold or flu.“ The expert also expects a particularly heavy pollen season for 2013 „Hazel bushes and birch trees produced less pollen last year than they would have given to their natural rhythm“ and he assumes it, „that the phase of strong pollen has shifted into this year.“

In case of suspected allergy consult a doctor
If a suspected pollen allergy, those affected should be examined by a specialist (allergologist), which can then prescribe appropriate therapeutic countermeasures such as the gift of an antihistamine or a short-term immunotherapy, reports the ECARF. Also could „Pollen allergy sufferers, who would like to know more about the relationship of their individual complaints to the pollen flight in Germany, use the free electronic pollen diary of the foundation German pollen information service (PID).“

With naturopathy for hay fever
Naturopathy also offers some promising approaches to the treatment of pollen allergy, with therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring immune system over-reaction to the pollen back into the healthy immunological response. Here are different naturopathic procedures such as homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine (especially acupuncture), the self-blood therapy but also hypnosis, Bach flower treatments and intestinal rehabilitation used. (Fp)

Also read:
Hyposensitization to hay fever
No alcohol in hay fever and pollen allergy
Alcohol can increase asthma and hay fever
Cold winter at pollen allergy ideal

Image: Rita Gäbel