Hay Fever Already the first pollen on the way

Pollen fly earlier this year than usual

03/02/2014

Often one thinks of pollen allergy and hay fever to the warmer seasons. But due to the mild winter, the first pollen are already earlier than usual on the road. Especially hazel and alder are currently causing problems for allergy sufferers.

Hazel and alder pollen especially early on the way
The mild winter also has its bad side for people who suffer from hay fever. Because of the warmer weather, the first pollen already fly. As the European Foundation for Allergy Research (ECARF) reports, especially hazel and alder pollen are traveling this year especially early. These pollen are also particularly strong, as the shrubs produced less in the previous year. „I assume that the phase of strong pollen has shifted“, says Karl-Christian Bergmann, Director of the Foundation German Pollen Information Service.

Pollen count this year as hard as ever
Drastic developments are feared by the Swabian district chairman of the Bavarian Family Physician Association, Jakob Berger. He says the pollen count this year could be more intense than ever. The chief physician of the Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the Augsburg Hospital, Julia Welzel, explained according to the „Augsburger Allgemeine“: „We have similar weather conditions as usual in the spring. It may be that there is still much to come. The inflorescences were hardly frozen this year.“ Already in January, the weather service MeteoSwiss had determined that the pollen two weeks earlier than average are on the move. „The beginning of flowering is clearly related to the mild weather“, said Regula Gehrig, biometeorologist at MeteoSwiss.

Pollens become more aggressive due to pollution
Above all, the pollen count of hazel and alder, which already had peak season, make people allergic. „The pollen now trigger violent reactions in people with allergies“, so Welzel. The burden of the different pollen, however, is very different. For example, hazel pollen often causes allergies, while others, such as rape, rarely sensitize. According to Wenzel, this is also due to the pollen size and the distribution over wind. „The pollens become more sensitive due to pollution, thus fine dust, more aggressively and also the airways and mucous membranes become“, so the doctor.

Allergic asthma as a result of untreated pollen allergy
One possible consequence of an untreated pollen allergy is allergic asthma. Patients should learn to deal with their allergy as soon as possible. In addition to everyday measures, such as the avoidance of forest or park stays during peak periods, hyposensitization is advisable for many. This can be done with an allergist. As part of a three-year therapy, the patient is administered the smallest amounts of the allergen in order to slowly adapt the immune system to the substance. The dose of allergen is continuously increased in small steps.

Medicines and naturopathy
Treating pollen allergy with medication aims to relieve the symptoms. Although antihistamines work against all forms of allergic rhinitis, but do not lead to a permanent improvement. In addition, there are often unwanted side effects associated with it. Cortisone is usually prescribed only for severe allergies, which is usually used as a spray. Naturopathic treatments of a pollen allergy are designed to convert the overreaction of the immune system to a specific substance back to the healthy regulatory capacity and thus to achieve a lasting relief. Naturopathic treatments such as homeopathy, autologous blood therapy, Bach flower therapy, intestinal rehabilitation, hypnosis, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as acupuncture as well as therapy with vital substances are often successfully used in naturopathic practices. (Ad)