Hayfever Pollen fly earlier this year

The pollen count started unusually early in 2014

03/17/2014

The hay fever season has begun very early this year given the mild weather conditions. In particular, the beginning of flowering birches will cause massive pains for many pollen allergy sufferers. Since many sufferers are not adjusted to the increased pollen count or currently do not take hay fever medication, they increasingly have to cope with the typical symptoms of hay fever such as itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, violent sneezing attacks, increased coughing and difficulty breathing.

As early as January, the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) had warned against the early onset of pollen and noted that at „strikingly many pollen allergy sufferers already in November and December of last year“ Increased complaints have occurred. Now the hay fever season reaches its first peak phase with the onset of birch pollen flight - around two weeks earlier than normal. Especially many hay fever patients react to the birch pollen and many people are currently increasingly struggling with allergic complaints.

Threatening asthma in untreated hay fever
The mild temperatures of recent weeks caused a much earlier onset of flowering. During the past year, at the beginning of March, winter still kept Germany under control with snow and ice, temperatures of just under 20 degrees Celsius were already reached this year. For pollen allergy sufferers staying outdoors is thus increasingly uncomfortable, because the pollen load of the air has increased enormously. Although hay fever sufferers can minimize contact with the pollen with a few relatively simple measures such as the correct ventilation of the apartment (at night and in damp weather) or the installation of pollen filters in the car and so alleviate their complaints. But in case of doubt, only the use of appropriate hay fever medication will help in the short term. Here, pollen allergy sufferers should not hesitate to take too long, as an untreated hay fever in the long run can lead to asthma in the worst case.

Possible preventive measures for pollen allergy sufferers
In general, allergy sufferers should keep contact with the pollen in everyday life as low as possible. For this reason, for example, the street clothes are best pulled out directly in the hallway and not taken with the bedroom, before going to bed, the hair should be washed and regular vacuuming is advised. Nasal douches can help to clear the mucous membranes of the pollen and thus significantly reduce the allergic symptoms. To be better prepared for the stresses, it is worth taking a look at the pollen calendar. In this it can be seen that currently the pollen of alder, hazel, elm and willow are increasingly in the air. The pollen from poplar, maple, yew, birch, oak, ash and hornbeam has just begun. Here, a significant increase in the burden is expected in the coming weeks. (Fp)