Every third German suffers from allergies

Every third German suffers from allergies

29/02/2012

According to a Forsa survey, 35 percent of Germans are affected by one or more allergies. Hay fever is most common, but food or mites can trigger allergies.

Allergies often lead to impaired performance
For the survey, 1,000 insured persons were contacted by phone and questioned about allergies. It turned out that about one third suffers from allergies. 53 percent of those affected feel their own suffering as stressful.

Another interesting result: Only 70 percent of sufferers have their allergies treated by a doctor. The remainder prefers over-the-counter medicines or dispenses with certain foods. The health insurance companies therefore save a lot of money for treatment costs, which, however, dermatologists see extremely critical. However, Rudolf Stadler, President of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) advises urgently to consult a doctor, as some errors in the use of over-the-counter preparations are made. In addition, symptoms that could lead to complications later may be delayed. „With a peanut allergy, there are allergens that are dangerous. Others are not“, explains Stadler. Therefore, a differentiated diagnosis is required to avoid an asphyxiation threatening with this allergy.

Atopic eczema is not considered a serious chronic disease
In addition to hay fever, especially atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, food intolerances and contact allergies occur, reports the DDG. Due to the unpleasant itchy skin, eczema is particularly unpleasant. About 15 to 20 percent of children and 2 percent of adults in Germany suffer from it. „We wish that eczema is recognized as a serious chronic disease“, explains Matthias Augustin, Director of the Institute for Health Services Research in the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical Center Hamburg. He reports that some patients scratch themselves bloody and due to the strong itching can not or only partially sleep. Unfortunately, those affected would have to pay for active-ingredient moisturizing creams that would relieve the itching, since they did not fall under the cash benefits. Socially ill persons would have accordingly „higher quality of life and overall poorer care“, explains the DDG in a message. Augustin demands: „For severe forms of atopic dermatitis, the necessary medication must be reimbursed by the health insurance.“ In addition, topical base therapies and urea supplements were on the OTC exemption list. Expensive medicines would need to be prescribed by dermatologists without recourse problems, if only these medicines provided relief for the patient, adds Augustin.

Treatment methods from naturopathy
To calm the immune system, the triggering allergen must first be determined. In addition, there are a variety of methods in naturopathy to normalize the immune response. These include, among others, natural remedies such as autologous blood therapy, self-urine therapy, ear acupuncture, body acupuncture, symbiosis control and immunomodulation, dark field diagnostics & environmental therapy, homeopathy, hypnotherapy, and fasting. These can be combined with a diet change. (Ag)

Also read:
Allergies: Every third adult is allergic
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Alternative treatments for allergies
House dust allergy sufferers find no peace in winter
Protection against brain tumors by allergy antibodies
Allergy suffer from extreme pollen load

Image: Benjamin Thorn