Health when pollen fly

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Especially from spring on, grasses and trees spread their pollen. Good for nature, bad for allergy sufferers. Read about when which pollens fly, what helps against sneezing fits, itchy and watery eyes, and whether the allergy season is really starting earlier and earlier.

Pollen count calendar: When flies what?

Which pollen triggers allergies varies. Do you already know that you are allergic to birch, alder or grasses, for example? Then the pollen calendar will help you to be better prepared against the pests. By the way: About 15 to 20 percent of adults in Germany are affected by hay fever in the course of their lives – women somewhat more frequently than men.

Dec.Jan.Feb.MarchApr.MayJun.Jul.Aug.Sept.Oct.Nov. hazel alder poplar willow ash hornbeam birch beech oak pine grass plantain rye stinging nettle mugwort ragweed Explanation
Main bloom Pre- and post-bloom Possible occurrence

What pollen is in the air today in my region?

Who would like to know more exactly, which pollen is to be expected before the own entry door, can call the daily current pollen flight danger index of the German weather service. It shows the expected pollen concentrations for the eight allergologically most important pollens in Germany: hazel, alder, ash, birch, grasses, rye, mugwort and ragweed.

What helps against allergy symptoms? Pollen spreads very well in the air. Flying for miles. Our tips help allergy sufferers to come into contact with pollen as little as possible.

Plan according to pollen

Ventilate when the pollen count is as low as possible for where you live. If a lot of pollen is forecast, go outside as little as possible. Pollen allergy sufferers should also avoid gardening then.

Washing your hair daily

If possible, wash your hair every evening when pollen flies to bother you. Pollen sticks to the hair and can spread in the bedroom and bed.

Drying indoors

Do not dry your laundry – especially bed linen – outdoors. Pollen also adheres extremely well to fabrics. Therefore, do not put your worn clothes in the bedroom in the evening.

Damp mopping floors and furniture

Damp mop regularly indoors, as this is the best way to remove pollen from floors and furniture. If there are carpets, they should be medium pile and basically vacuumed regularly as well.

Upgrade car and vacuum cleaner with pollen filters

Use vacuum cleaners with special filters that absorb as much pollen as possible. There are also such pollen filters for the car.

Take a vacation by the water or in the mountains

If possible, take a vacation by the sea or in the mountains during the allergy season – here the pollen concentration is low.

Become a non-smoker

Give up smoking. Airways irritated by smoke provide a perfect "attack surface" for allergens. Smoking also damages general health.

The drug navigator helps.

Do allergies now start earlier?

Yes, at least that's what experts and allergy sufferers have been observing over the past few years. Climate changes are mainly responsible. As it gets warmer, the pollen season has lengthened over the last 30 years. Some plants bloom much earlier. For example, hazelnut pollen can be in the air as early as December. Conversely, grasses and herbs are often still out and about until late autumn.

What is a cross allergy?

This means that if you are allergic to certain pollens, you may also be allergic to various foods, such as apples, hazelnuts and almonds. The reason for cross-allergies: The allergens of some pollens and foods are so similar that the immune system cannot distinguish between them.

Allergy test for more clarity

You don't know which pollen or other allergy-causing substances are bothering you? An allergy test at the doctor's can clarify which pollen triggers hay fever. Also, keep a diary to record your symptoms throughout the year. Then try to avoid contact with the triggers as much as possible.

If that doesn't work, symptoms such as itchy eyes or frequent sneezing can be relieved with medication. These are preventive or if the allergy attack is already there. For many allergy sufferers, hyposensitization can also bring lasting improvement. This episode "Morphine& Ginger" provides with Olli Briesch. Michael Imhof for the really big tingle – because they are at the allergy test. What can you actually be allergic to? What really helps with symptoms? And what exactly is a farm tablet? These and other questions are investigated by our spraying and sniffing noses. In addition, former world-class swimmer Sandra Volker tells how she was able to have an impressive career with countless medals despite asthma. Listen in.

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