Pollen allergy? Good tips against hay fever

Useful tips for pollen allergy and hay fever

03/23/2015

Around 13 million people in Germany are struggling with pollen allergy and hay fever. Now in the spring is the main pollen season and many sufferers have itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. But there are some tips that can protect allergy sufferers.

Around 13 million Germans have hay fever
According to the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB), about 16 percent of the population - about 13 million people - have a pollen allergy nationwide. If the pollen of trees, shrubs, grasses, cereals and herbs touch the mucous membranes of those affected, allergic reactions are triggered. These include, for example, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, shortness of breath or bronchial asthma. In addition, the skin may react and headaches and sleep disturbances may occur. The more pollens are in the environment of allergic persons, the greater the complaints. Various home remedies and other tips can help to protect yourself.

Ventilate in the morning and take a shower in the evening
From „bild.de“ were under expert advice from Dr. med. Michael Bohndorf, ENT specialist from Dusseldorf, summarized in a post some tips. Basically, you should not rub your eyes, no matter how bad the itching is. This aggravates the allergy symptoms and it can even lead to conjunctivitis. It is also recommended to air in the morning between six and eight o'clock, when the pollen count is the lowest. In strong winds should be dispensed with the airing. So you do not bring the pollen-tainted clothes into the bedroom, you should take them off in the bathroom. Getting into a shower before going to bed; In particular, the hair should be washed because there pollen may have settled.

Walk in the rain
Motorists are advised to replace the normal filter with a pollen or activated carbon filter and change it regularly. Wet towels hung in the room can help as pollen sticks to them. In case of rain, allergy sufferers are advised to use this time for a walk. With the help of special apps and websites, you can see when the pollen count is strongest and sometimes also your individual allergic risk „predict“ to let. Carpets should be kept away, at least during the pollen season, because many pollen accumulate in them. The newspaper also advises wearing sunglasses because they protect. Laundry should be better dried in the dryer or in the apartment and not in the fresh air. Should be waived on fans or air conditioners. And since honey can also contain pollen, it is also discouraged.

Natural help with hay fever
In an allergy test, the doctor goes in search of the triggering allergen. Allergy sufferers should arm themselves early. However, drugs like antihistamines should not be taken too soon. Many help desensitization, in which the immune system is slowly accustomed to the allergy-causing substance over a longer period of time by being regularly administered to the person concerned in gradually increasing doses. Because of possible side effects that this treatment method can bring, such as allergic reactions or circulatory problems, many allergy sufferers prefer to natural therapies such as the self-blood therapy, acupuncture, Bach flower therapy or homeopathy. But there are many more home remedies for hayfever available. If there are no financial or professional reasons, allergy sufferers can spend their summer holidays in areas with low pollen load, such as at the sea or in the mountains above 2,000 meters altitude. (Ad)