Hay fever and allergies

In short: In an allergy the immune system reacts excessively to substances that are harmless in themselves, such as pollen, house dust, animal hair or foods. Hay fever is the allergy to pollen.

In more detail: Typical are sneezing, itchy eyes, runny or blocked nose during the pollen season.

In detail

• Pollen season: Depending on the plant from spring to autumn; pollen forecasts help.
• Avoiding: Close windows at peak pollen times, wash hair in the evening, do not undress in the bedroom.
• House dust: Mite-proof covers, frequent washing at 60 degrees, few dust catchers.
• Treatment: Antihistamines, nasal sprays; advice from pharmacy or doctor.
• Immunotherapy: Long-term therapy that can increase tolerance.
• Cross-allergies: Birch-pollen allergy sufferers often react to apples, nuts or carrots.
• Emergency: Severe breathlessness or swelling in the face requires calling emergency number 112 immediately.
• Foods: See labelling of the main allergens (haende-waschen-und-hygiene).