For some, it's pollen, for others it's certain foods and for others it's house dust mites or animal hair that can trigger an allergy. Whether hay fever or intolerances - on Idee für mich you will find everything you need to know about allergies, from symptoms to treatment.
Causes and triggers for allergies
February to September is hay fever season. Many people suffer from allergies at the beginning of the year, when alder and hazelnut are the first trees to release their pollen. The number of people affected in Germany is high: around 15 percent of adults and around ten percent of children have hay fever. But food, animal hair or house dust can also trigger an allergic reaction. The immune system then reacts hypersensitively to environmental substances that are actually harmless. The immune system produces antibodies against these so-called allergens. For example, the immune system classifies the proteins in pollen in particular, which are carried on the wind, as harmful pathogens.
Allergic reactions
The symptoms of allergies are usually a constantly runny or blocked nose, sneezing fits and itchy, watery, red and burning eyes. However, similar to a real cold, a heavy head or even a fever can also occur as an allergic reaction. In around 8.6 percent of Germans, the allergy even results in asthma caused by pollen.
What to do with an allergy?
An allergy can develop over many years. It is therefore not possible to prevent it. However, anyone suffering from allergic reactions should be tested by an allergist in order to identify the possible trigger and treat the allergy correctly. The symptoms can be alleviated with the appropriate medication. In the best case scenario, hyposensitization can completely eliminate the allergy. You can find the most important facts and tips about allergies at Idea for me.