With the first warm rays of sunshine, the so-called early bloomers are just around the corner. The pollen count is usually expected for the beginning of February. Our medical team informs about the different early bloomers as well as treatment and therapy options.
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.
Alder | |
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Flowering time | December to June |
Allergenicity | medium to high |
Note | frequent cross-reactivity with hazel and birch pollen |
Hazel | |
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Flowering time | January to April |
Allergenicity | moderate |
Note | frequent cross-reactivity with birch and alder pollen |
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).
In the case of a pollen allergy, those affected feel their symptoms first and foremost on the parts of the body that are in direct contact with the allergen. The mucous membranes of the nose and eyes are particularly affected.
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.
Approved
This article has been reviewed by unserem Medical-Team for accuracy of content.