For many people, the first warm days of the year signify the end of the symptom-free time in winter. The pollen season starts with the blossoming of alder, hazel, birch and hazelnut. This can mean an itchy nose, watery eyes, and a cold. We'll show you how you can make your life easier despite allergy: immune reaction. An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to harmless substances from the environment. Inflammation in the air causes the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose to become irritated, as well as the respiratory air to enter the lungs, and normally an allergy is developed in the course of life, but it is not Various reactions are typical of a particular age: food intolerances are more likely to occur in children, inhaled allergies (respiratory tract), such as pollen, are classic in adolescents, and contact allergies, triggered by direct contact, usually occur only in children Too much hygiene? "The Western lifestyle also leads to more allergic reactions. Children grow up today under very hygienic conditions. As a result, the immune system is not sufficiently trained and can not differentiate between threatening and harmless impressions ", explains Dr. med. Christof Ebner, Head of the Allergieambulatorium Reumannplatz. Studies show that farmer children who spend a lot of time in the barn have ten times less risk of developing an immune reaction. But global warming also has an influence. So it has been found that an increased CO2 concentration in the air boosts pollen production.

Act fast.

Suspicion. The signs of an allergy are often not very clear. The symptoms most likely correspond to a flu infection: the irritated mucous membranes cause watery eyes or a blocked nose. However, those affected do not have a fever. "It is then important to have your specialist or an allergic-allergic test put you to test what you are allergic to," the expert emphasizes. " Immediately respond." Begin therapy at the first symptoms so that the inflammation does not get stuck in the airways . Doing so may lead to asthma or cause cross-allergies (second allergy to similar materials) If, even in severe respiratory distress., often helps only a cortisone infusion for the treatment of inflammation. first aid. In acute cases help tablets, eye drops or nasal sprays, In particular, nasal sprays should not be used for more than a week, they dry out the mucous membranes, the intensity of the immune reaction is also influenced by external circumstances, the more pollen swirl around, the stronger the symptoms it is a lot or is the flowering weak, the effects are less.

Prevent.

Avoid the trigger. "Of course, it is best to avoid the allergen, which means that people allergic to grasses should not be near meadows in early summer, and those who respond to tree pollen should not jog in the forest during flowering The right holiday planning helps, "advises Dr. Ebner.There is practically no pollen load over 1,500 meters in altitude and it is also low on the sea.Practical tips. " In the period of pollen flight, the laundry should be dried in the apartment, otherwise you wear the Trigger on the body with it around. Air in the morning if possible, when the air is not yet saturated with pollen. Cover the bed with a bedspread and wash your hair in the evening. If the allergy is severe, the apartment should be vacuumed daily and wiped regularly with a damp cloth.

Therapy.

Immunization. In strong reactions, immunotherapy is the best solution. Unfortunately, it does not allow allergy sufferers and allergy relief. For this Impfkur the monthly allergy trigger is administered as an injection or over the mouth. The dose is increased each time. The tolerance of the immune system is thus increased, there is a significant improvement in symptoms. "At the Impfkur only natural products such as pollen extracts are used," emphasizes Dr. Ebner. "However, such a therapy takes quite a long time, usually three years. It's not that easy to fight an immune reaction. "