Treating hay fever correctly and effectively: expert explains - "Many people suffer completely unnecessarily"
Created: 04/13/2022, 06:19
By: Stella Henrich
With spring comes the pollen.
For millions of people, the itching and sneezing begins.
But there are good ways to treat hay fever.
Munich - Anyone who thinks that the immune system of allergy sufferers is going crazy will be surprised by the words of Torsten Zuberbier, professor of allergology.
It's doing exactly what it's supposed to do.
Allergy sufferers even have a better immune system, says the physician from the Berlin Charité in an interview with
Welt Online
.
"From an evolutionary biological perspective, people whose immune systems are particularly sensitive had a survival advantage - because viruses, bacteria and fungi are recognized more quickly and fought better," explains Zuberbier.
Only one thing went wrong for allergy sufferers: the immune system is so “keenly tuned” that it sometimes mistakenly recognizes harmless substances such as pollen proteins as the enemy.
Allergies: The predisposition remains for life
In principle, allergy sufferers have better defenses, and they are also better at dealing with serious infectious diseases such as Covid-19.
"In fact, they even have better chances of cancer," the allergist continues.
In order for an allergy to develop, “however, a number of other factors have to be met”.
For example, about every sixth person in industrialized nations suffers from hay fever.
According to Professor Zuberbier, anyone who believes that they will no longer be able to develop allergies such as hay fever after their 40th birthday is wrong.
“The disposition remains for life;
in some cases, allergies only appear in old age.” Many then asked themselves: “Is that a cold or even Corona?” One should always think of hay fever.
Especially if sudden sneezing and itching are in the foreground and there is no sore throat,” warns the allergist.
Allergies: treat hay fever properly
If you want to treat hay fever, the doctor advises you to take allergy tablets.
They would bring a rapid improvement in complaints.
Otherwise, prescription nasal sprays containing cortisone could very well relieve acute symptoms.
And of course: "Avoid the allergens as much as possible and keep them away from the mucous membranes," advises Zuberbier.
He recommends saline nasal douches, air purifiers and pollen filters for the car.
Many allergy sufferers have to sneeze when pollen begins to fly in spring.
(symbol image) © imago
Professor Zuberbier, on the other hand, warns against bioresonance therapy to treat allergies such as hay fever.
"A number of studies show that the procedure is completely ineffective." Delaying an effective therapy could even be dangerous.
Allergy tests: Prick and blood tests can help
If you want to be tested for allergies, the doctor recommends a skin prick test or a blood test for the relevant IgE antibodies by a specialist.
The causes of allergies and hay fever can best be combated with hyposensitization.
It is paid for by the statutory funds and can last up to three years.
Many of those affected swear by the treatment because it relieves the patients of their symptoms with "good chances of success," the Berlin doctor continues.
On the other hand, those who do not treat hay fever run the "risk of a so-called change of floor".
The symptoms shifted to the respiratory tract, and allergic asthma developed, which was not only unpleasant but actually dangerous.
Cross allergies to food could also develop.
It's not worth taking all these risks and enduring complaints, "although there are good and safe treatment options - many people suffer completely unnecessarily," says allergology professor Torsten Zuberbier.
