Hay fever in pollen allergy first to the doctor - then behind the wheel

For hayfever not right at the wheel: Allergy sufferers should seek advice from the doctor
Drivers suffering from hay fever should consult a specialist before getting behind the wheel. Because the effects of the allergy can be dangerous when driving.

Hay fever can be dangerous while driving
If pollen is in the air, it can allergy sufferers quickly to typical hay fever symptoms such as dripping nose, itchy eyes, shortness of breath and cough come. For motorists, this can be dangerous. For example, a study showed that the symptoms caused by the allergy can affect driving ability as much as 0.5 per mil alcohol in the blood. Patients should seek advice from the doctor before they get behind the wheel.

According to experts, people with hay fever should get advice from a specialist before they get behind the wheel. Because by the pollen flight threatening acute coughing fits and watery eyes. (Image: zstock / fotolia.com)

Patients should seek advice from the specialist
Prof. Thomas Fuchs, Vice President of the Association of Allergists, advises allergy sufferers in a message from the dpa news agency to seek advice from a specialist before they get behind the wheel.

Because the pollen with hazel and birch threaten acute acute coughing fits and watery eyes in the car. "Whoever supplies himself with antihistamines from the pharmacy, could also fall asleep at the wheel."

According to the physician, the over-the-counter medicines often have fatigue as a side effect.

Treat allergy in the long term
According to Fuchs, allergists can prescribe remedies that usually do not make you tired. In any case, it is advisable in many cases to treat the allergy in the long term, for example by a specific immunotherapy, formerly called desensitisation.

In this case, the person affected the allergen is injected at regular intervals until the body no longer responds to it. "If the patient is on therapy, he usually gets better after around three years," says Fuchs.

Until then, motorists should protect themselves from pollens. Only cars with air conditioning are best used and the pollen filter replaced regularly.

The allergist pointed out that there's no point in wearing glasses at the wheel: "Unless you put on a pair of scuba diving goggles - and I do not think that's practical."

Tips for motorists
Other experts also recommend removing the jacket while driving and storing it in the boot so that the pollen hanging from it does not end up in the interior of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the window and sunroof should remain closed and the ventilation switched to recirculation mode.

The car should not be parked under trees if possible. The regular vacuuming of the vehicle interior, including the upholstery, dashboard and shelves, can also help.

Sometimes there is no allergy behind the symptoms
According to Fuchs, a visit to the specialist in allergology is also worthwhile, because there is not necessarily an allergy behind the symptoms.

"Some people, for example, react with itching or redness to the fumes in a new car," explained the physician.

And the cause of itchy eyes can also be an infection. (Ad)