Early Bloomers Alder and Hazel - Symptoms, Treatment & Tips

Observe pollen count

Although the pollen count is definitely related to weather conditions, it can be expected from about 5°C onwards. Specific information on the current allergen load in the area can be found online in various pollen calendars. Symptoms such as hay fever are often mistaken for colds, especially in the colder months. A clarification of the symptoms is therefore highly recommended.

The two allergy triggers alder and hazel are among the so-called early bloomers, as their pollen flies much earlier than most others.

Pollen allergy: What is it actually?

Pollen originally means flour dust and describes the extremely fine pollen grains that spread through the air. Pollen allergy is the most common allergic disease and can develop into chronic asthma if left untreated. Overall, the different pollens - tree, grass and herb pollen - have long seasons. While exposure to tree pollen usually starts at the beginning of the year, it usually ends later in the fall after the herb pollen has bloomed (e.g., ragweed).

Treatment and therapy

Any effective treatment is preceded by an accurate diagnosis. Only those who know the triggers can alleviate the symptoms. By means of blood tests, the exact triggers can be identified. For example, in the case of an allergy to birch pollen, so-called component diagnostics can not only determine the main allergen, but also whether antibodies to other allergen components of the birch are present. Especially for a targeted therapy (e.g. hyposensitization) it is important to determine the exact cause of his complaints.

• Effective and fast: Allergen abstinence - avoid any contact with the allergen if possible.

• Rapid symptom control: Special medications for allergy sufferers (e.g., antihistamines) or moisturizing nose and eye drops can provide relief for acute symptoms. In any case, please talk to your treating physician before taking them.

• Long-term therapy: The so-called hyposensitization (also known as specific immunotherapy) is the only established form of therapy to date in which the cause of the symptoms is treated. Allergy vaccination is intended to accustom the body to the trigger over a longer period of time until no - or only a very weak - hypersensitivity reaction is triggered.