Climate change is changing the flight times of pollen. The 15 most stubborn allergens in Germany are ragweed, dock, mugwort, birch, beech, oak, alder, ash, grass, hazel, poplar, rye, elm, plantain, and willow.

You can find a daily forecast of pollen levels on the PID website. The German Allergy and Asthma Association has a pollen app for iPhone and Android systems. The number of people who are bothered by this is increasing because there are more and more people affected by hay fever. Itchy eyes, feeling sick, and limited performance are common symptoms. How do you find out if you are allergic? How can allergy sufferers help themselves and what blooms when? Experts give tips for everyday life. They say the immune system is waging a pointless battle against pollen, which is harmless in itself. For more information, visit the German Pollen Information Service (PID) Foundation (www.pollenstiftung.de). Excessive hygiene in infants and small children increases their tendency to allergies, so shower in the evening, wash your hair and never take off your worn clothes in the bedroom. The room air can be filtered with air purifiers. If the inflammation of the nose spreads to the lungs, allergic asthma can develop. The article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment, or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritan branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. For confidential support in the UK, call 08457 909090 or click here.