Pollen flight from December to October

Climate change leads to longer pollen times: pollen flight from December to October?

09/07/2013

No good predictions for allergy sufferers: Actually, the high season of pollen is over in late summer. However, scientists expect pollen times to shift and expand in the future due to global warming.

Pollen flight from December to October
Itching and watery eyes, runny nose - now, in September, hay fever is not really a big issue. But scientists assume that in the future, the pollen season by the climate change will significantly expand. Thomas Fuchs, Head of Allergology at the University Medical Center Göttingen and board member of the Medical Association of German Allergists (AeDA) explains: „When it gets warmer, the flowering times shift.“ Fuchs says that in future pollen will fly from mid-December to mid-October.

Blood tests to diagnose an allergy
People who are afraid of having hay fever are advised to consult a specialist. According to Fuchs, simple remedies such as cooling eyes or washing the face would ease the symptoms only temporarily and inadequately. He recommends blood tests for the diagnosis of allergy during the pollen season from March to October. In skin tests, allergens are applied to the skin and the reactions are checked. As the affected skin is already irritated in the pollen season, they should wait until the allergy-free time with a skin test.

Do not take allergies lightly
If an allergy is diagnosed, there is an acute need for action. Anti-itch antihistamines or cortisone sprays for the nose are just two ways to relieve symptoms. „The acute therapy must be supplemented by an allergen-specific immunotherapy.“ In this method, the patient is injected with allergens or administered via tablets. Those affected should begin immunization during the allergy-free period and continue consistently for three to five years. According to Fuchs, the goal of the therapy is that the immune system no longer reacts to the allergens. Since allergies can become chronic, they should not be taken lightly: „In 90 percent of those affected, the allergy is worse if not treated properly.“ In addition, there is an increased risk of food allergy for people who already have an allergy: „50 percent of birch pollen allergy sufferers also have a nut allergy.“

Natural precautionary measures
However, there are some very natural measures that can help those affected. In general: To prevent hay fever, the contact with the allergenic pollen should be minimized as far as possible. Street clothes should not be taken into the bedroom, because the pollen adhere to them and when filing the clothes in the bedroom at night can be a burden. Also, the ventilation of the apartment will be well thought out for hay fever patients. In no case should be aired during the day in dry weather, as there are usually most pollen in the air. For hay fever sufferers airing during or shortly after a rain shower is best because the pollen load of the air is then relatively low. Since in the hair especially many pollen settle and these are taken to bed, if the hair is not least rinsed, the evening shampooing is also a precaution.

Allergy sufferers in Germany undersupplied
According to one study, allergy sufferers in Germany are massively underserved. The number of hay fever patients and asthmatics increased by 0.4 and 8.7 percent from 2007 to 2010, while the number of treatments decreased over the same period. This had been found out by scientists at the University of Duisburg-Essen. The number of patients contracted by 13 percent in both cases. In asthma, practices reduced around 27 percent less allergic treatments, and in hay fever, the decline was even 31 percent. 40 million billing data of 10 million legally insured served as the basis of the study. The research result was presented by the Doctors Association of German Allergists (AeDA) at the 8th German Allergy Congress in Bochum. (Ad)