The sharp increase is attributed, among other things, to the higher pollen load. For over ten years, flowers have been releasing larger amounts of pollen allergens into the air earlier and for longer. Environmental factors, such as exhaust fumes from cars, are believed to be responsible for this. The most important allergy-causing pollens come from birch, alder, hazelnut, rye and the herbs mugwort and plantain. They enter the mucous membranes of the eyes and the upper respiratory tract as fine dust and quickly lead to the symptoms of watery eyes, sneezing, runny nose, coughing or shortness of breath. The allergy sufferer feels weak and occasionally has a slight fever.
Treatment for hay fever
Pollen allergy is usually referred to as hay fever. Anyone who suffers from cold symptoms in spring must clarify the question of whether it is a cold or an allergic reaction. It is not uncommon for the illness to be misunderstood as a cold, but it can also mix with a respiratory infection. What is typical for pollen allergy is that it occurs at around the same time every year. Once hay fever occurs, it will get worse in the first two to three years and then return with about the same intensity year after year – if you do nothing. The disease usually improves in middle adulthood and can then slowly subside. This is due to an age-related change in the immune system. But hay fever is a serious allergy. Because the symptoms of the upper respiratory tract can shift to the bronchi. Then pollen asthma is added to the hay fever symptoms mentioned. This can develop into year-round asthma. 30 percent of respiratory allergy sufferers who are not treated appropriately develop bronchial asthma after a few years.
People with pollen allergies also react to food
Many pollen allergy sufferers are also allergic to certain foods. This cross-reaction between pollen and food allergens is, for example, very intense in people who react to pollen from hazel, alder or birch. You should avoid green apples, walnuts, hazelnuts or peanuts. Reactions to legumes or grain flour are typical for people with grass allergies. Herb pollen allergy sufferers often develop symptoms after eating raw vegetables such as celery or spices such as curry or peppers.
Tips for pollen allergy sufferers
If possible, do not ventilate during the day, but only in the late evening or at night. However, it must be noted that the pollen starts flying again from five o’clock in the morning – in some places as early as three o’clock. Pollen levels are usually highest in the countryside in the early hours of the morning. In the city, on the other hand, the main pollution only occurs in the evening. Limit walks, especially through meadows and grain fields, and exercise outdoors. Pollen grains adhere well to clothing and hair. Therefore, do not dry laundry outdoors, do not leave clothes worn during the day in the bedroom, wash your hair in the evening or brush it well. Avoid smoking, as it increases respiratory irritation. Suitable holiday destinations during the flowering period are the high mountains and coastal areas.
How does an allergy develop?
The body is equipped with an effective defense system, the immune system, to protect against pathogenic substances such as viruses and bacteria. Skin and mucous membranes form the first protective shield against intruders. One reason why most allergic reactions occur here. But everything cannot be stopped. Whatever gets through is attacked by the immune system. It can analyze, detect and combat or destroy the foreign substance. This way the organism remains free of it and becomes immune. The immune system remembers the first contact with an intruder and can react quickly with antibodies in the event of a new infestation. This so-called acquired immunity has gotten out of hand in allergy sufferers. Instead of becoming immune after the first contact with the foreign substance, an intense reaction occurs with every new contact with it. There is a malfunction in the defense system. It does not distinguish whether a substance is harmful or harmless to the organism. This leads to an excessive immune response to substances that actually do not harm the organism: pollen, house dust mites, animal hair, mold or certain foods. During this process, substances such as histamine are released and cause inflammation in individual organs. Among other things, it can lead to a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, breathing difficulties, skin rashes or even diarrhea.
Homeopathic help for hay fever
The annoying symptoms can be easily alleviated or eliminated by carefully choosing the right remedy. However, it is hardly possible to cure hay fever through self-treatment. Only professional homeopathic therapy – taking into account the constitution and individuality of the patient – offers the prospect of complete relief from this suffering.
The homeopathic reference books list around 90 different remedies for hay fever. You should keep this in mind if a quick resort to a supposedly reliable remedy doesn’t bring immediate help. Six commonly used medicines are described in more detail below. If your remedy is not among these, your homeopathic doctor will certainly be able to help you.
When choosing the remedy, pay attention to the specifics: your sensations (burning, itching, tightness, etc.), the time of day and the conditions for the symptoms to appear (weather conditions, room or fresh air, temperature, etc.) as well as the accompanying symptoms (e.g mood, headache, sweating). The table below will help you choose the remedies described.
Allium cepa, the kitchen onion
The symptoms that Allium cepa helps with are the same as those caused by the onion. This is the basic similarity principle of homeopathy: eye irritation leads to rubbing, mild tears but a sharp cold, strong sneezing, hypersensitive sense of smell. Everything is better outdoors, worse in a warm room.
Cardiospermum halicacabum, heart seed or balloon vine
Pressure above or behind the eyes, itching and swelling of the skin and mucous membranes, feeling of heaviness and tension in the limbs, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep. Alternation of impatience and displeasure.
Euphrasia officinalis, Augentrost
Sharp tearing and mild rhinitis (in contrast to Allium cepa), the eyes itch, are red and sensitive to light, and the secretions can become purulent. Red and hot face. Lots of mucus in the throat. Worsening in the warm weather and with a warm southerly wind (hair dryer), from 3 a.m. to mid-morning, better when moving and in the dark, towards evening. Dazed and sluggish.
Galphimia glauca, a Mexican Malpighiaceae
Watery runny nose, swelling of the respiratory tract, severe itching, sweating.
Luffa operculata, sponge gourd
Dry or stuffy nose with bark formation, runny nose usually white. Mood dazed and listless, with irritability over small things. Frontal headache with flickering before the eyes, burning of the tip of the tongue. Great hunger and thirst. Shortness of breath with little exertion. Improvement outdoors, in the evening and by wrapping yourself warmly.
Sabadilla, Läusesamen
Sneezing attacks in bursts, pressure at the bridge of the nose, itching on the roof of the mouth and a feeling of a foreign body in the throat. The mucus runs down the back of the throat; frequent throat clearing. Hot drinks make things better, cold ones make things worse, but you’re not thirsty. Everything is worse in the cold and outdoors.
Dosage and intake
2-3 globules are one dose, preferably in potency C12. It can be repeated up to four times a day if necessary. The effect of each dose must be awaited. The next dose is only taken after the effect has worn off (sometimes after an hour, sometimes only after two days). If there is no effect, another remedy is needed. Don’t try for long, but ask your doctor.
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