Particularly strong birch pollen flight expected

The hay fever season has begun

02.03.2012

With the milder spring weather, the pollen load of the air increases. The allergy sufferers have to be one „abruptly rising pollen count“ according to a recent communication from the largest German health insurance, Barmer GEK.

While most Germans look forward to the current rise in temperatures, many allergic persons can not share this joy. Because in the course of the relatively mild spring weather, the pollen count starts again. The winter months were a real recovery for the allergy sufferers, so now the suffering has begun again. As the experts expect a particularly strong birch pollen flight, the allergy season this year could be a special stress test for many hay fever patients.

Alder and hazel pollen already in the air
The Barmer GEK has in a recent release in the face of the mild weather conditions in front of a „abruptly rising pollen count“ warned. In the course of the higher temperatures, the plant bloom began and first pollen were already in the air. As can be seen in the pollen count calendars on various online information portals (pollen information service of the Institute of Meteorology of the FU Berlin and the weather service MeteoGroup, pollen information from the German Weather Service), is currently already an increased burden with pollen of the so-called early bloomers or spring bloomers such as alder and hazel in front. However, in most regions of Germany only in weak to moderate concentration. Only a few regions on the Upper Rhine and in the Moselle Valley, where temperatures are particularly mild, are already experiencing strong alder pollutants, according to the pollen data of the German Weather Service (DWD)..

Particularly strong birch pollen flight a stress test for allergy sufferers
The burden of birch pollen is particularly critical this year, as the birch pollen releases significantly more pollen every other year, according to the European Foundation for Allergy Research (ECARF). As „mast year“ referred to increased birch pollen production is part of their survival strategy. But for hay fever patients, who are often particularly sensitive to birch pollen, the fattening years are a significant stress test. In the coming months (presumably until May) sufferers must expect unusually severe allergy symptoms, such as sneezing attacks, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, conjunctivitis and other respiratory complications. For some, staying outdoors becomes such a burden that they would not like to leave their apartment in the high-pollen season. Often chronic fatigue and concentration disorders are added, which make the hay fever patients during pollen flight. Also gastrointestinal discomfort and a significantly increased risk of asthma can be a result of hay fever. According to the experts, around a quarter of Germans show hay fever symptoms, mainly caused by the messenger substance histamine, which is released by contact of the mucous membranes with the pollen.

Protection against hay fever symptoms
To protect themselves from the symptoms of hay fever, those affected should take care to keep as little as possible in contact with the pollen. The observance of a few simple basic rules can already show significant positive effects. So the street clothes should best be placed in the entrance area, as the pollen attach to this. Under no circumstances should the clothing be kept in the bedroom, as the pollen can become a burden at night as well. Allergologists recommend that you change your clothes when you return home and create a pollen-free housing wardrobe. Also, hayfever patients should go to bed to wash their hair. The ventilation of the apartment also wants to be well considered. Do not open the windows in dry weather during the day, but instead, during the night or after a rain shower for fresh air in the apartment, the experts advise. However, the ideal time to air between city and countryside varies considerably. Because in the countryside, the pollen load of the air is highest between four and six o'clock, while in the city the highest pollen count is reached between 6 and 12 o'clock. In the countryside, for example, it is advisable to air in the evening between 7 and 12 o'clock, but in the city in the morning between 6 and 8 o'clock.

Medications can help prevent the allergic reaction
To protect against the pollen and so-called pollen filter in the car can contribute, which can cause a significant relief of their complaints, especially for allergy sufferers who are traveling a lot with the vehicle. In many cars with air conditioning such filters are already integrated anyway. Furthermore, pollen filters in the vacuum cleaner can signify a relief for the allergy sufferers. In the meantime, outdoor activities should be avoided during the high season of pollen. If the burden on hay fever patients is too great, conventional medicine uses so-called antihistamines, which are designed to prevent allergic reactions. Often, however, the preparations show unpleasant side effects. A cure of hay fever is not possible in this way. This is different, for example, in the case of so-called hyposensitization, in which patients are shown in simplified form over a longer period of time in contact with the allergens in order to permanently avoid a reaction of the immune system.

Naturopathy: treat causes of hay fever
The naturopathic treatment of hay fever also provides a remedy for the causes of the disease, rather than just the symptom relief envisaged. In the past, for example, with relaxation procedure, magnetic field / bioresonance method, autologous blood therapy, herbal therapies, acupuncture and homeopathy already achieved significant treatment success. If symptoms of hay fever can not be remedied within the scope of the naturopathic treatment, a visit to the doctor should always be provided, since an untreated pollen allergy can lead to asthma and other bronchial diseases. (Fp)

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