Hay fever is a major plague for many people in the spring.
But there are ways and means to combat pollen allergy.
You can find out what these are here.
Note to our readers:
We create product comparisons and deals for you.
To make this possible, we receive a commission from partners.
This changes nothing for you.
When the flowers and trees bloom and the meadows shine in lush green again, then it's spring.
Many people enjoy this time when the days are getting longer and warmer again.
But some are beginning to brace themselves for the sometimes agonizing weeks and months.
Because spring also means hay fever!
Whether birch, grass, hazel or herbs - the pollen leads to a runny nose and itchy mucous membranes in the eyes and mouth.
While for some people the pollen allergy goes away on its own, others have to deal with it for the rest of their lives.
Whereas in the past there were only home remedies, medicine has advanced so far for many years that there are plenty of medications for hay fever.
There are also differences here: some medications are administered for therapy in order to nip hay fever in the bud.
Others are taken at the peak of pollen allergy to relieve symptoms.
They all have one thing in common: they help!
You can find out here which aids and medicines are available for hay fever.
Inexpensive hay fever remedies from Stiftung Warentest
Table of contents
Hay fever: what is hyposensitization?
Hay fever: forms, course and duration of hyposensitization
Hay fever: These drugs help against pollen allergy
Hay fever: what are antihistamines?
Hay fever: what is hyposensitization?
Hyposensitization is a therapy that can be used to combat hay fever.
The hyposensitization, colloquially called sensitization, lasts three years.
The allergy triggers (allergens) are administered to the patient over this period of time.
The immune system of those affected develops a certain tolerance against the allergens.
Hyposensitization is the only treatment for an allergy, and this method promises great success, especially in the case of hay fever or house dust mite allergies.
In general, two therapies for hyposensitization can be distinguished: subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), in which the allergen is injected under the skin, and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), in which the allergen is taken in tablets or drops.
Hay fever or pollen allergy?
Both terms are buzzing through the air like pollen.
But what does what mean?
Read the differences simply explained in this article.
Hay fever: forms, course and duration of hyposensitization
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT):
With this form of therapy, the allergens are injected under the patient's skin.
Therapy begins in the fall, when pollen levels are at their lowest, and one cycle lasts about 15 weeks.
Once a week, the affected person is injected with the allergens, and the dose is gradually increased.
The therapy lasts three years, i.e. three cycles.
Important: The treatment must not be ended prematurely, otherwise there will be no long-term success.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT):
Employees in particular appreciate this form of treatment due to its flexibility.
Those affected can take the drops or tablets with the allergens at home in the morning, while the doctor administers the substances in the case of subcutaneous immunotherapy.
The allergens get into the blood via the oral mucosa.
This therapy also lasts three years and begins in autumn.
In contrast to hyposensitization with injections, the allergens are taken without a break - i.e. three years at a time.
Patients are allowed to stop the therapy for a maximum of one week, otherwise the therapy has to be started all over again.
Good to know: Can I take antiallergic drugs during hyposensitization?
Allergic reactions decrease with ongoing desensitization, but they do not disappear immediately.
If you are now wondering whether other medications such as anti-allergic drugs can be taken during sensitization, then the clear answer is yes!
Those affected can still take antihistamines, nasal sprays or eye drops.
Hay fever: These drugs help against pollen allergy
Hyposensitization is not suitable for all those affected.
Some people experience only mild discomfort.
These can alleviate the symptoms with the help of medication.
The best remedies for hay fever are nasal spray and eye drops and antihistamines.
Nasal spray and eye drops relieve the symptoms of the mucous membranes after just a few minutes and bring about an improvement.
The preparations are usually available as a combo, the best-known duo is certainly Livocab direct combo đź›’.
Antiallergic or antihistamines are ideal as a replacement or supplement to nasal spray and eye drops.
These medications are taken once a day and are designed to relieve hay fever symptoms throughout the day.
Antiallergics are available as tablets, juice or drops.
Drugs with the active ingredient cetirizine (cetirizine hydrochloride) have proven particularly effective.
We recommend the cetirizine film tablets from AbZ đź›’ as well as the cetirizine drops from HEXAL đź›’ and the cetirizine HEXAL juice đź›’.
+
Cetirizin Hexal for allergies
© Amazon product image
When should antiallergic drugs be taken?
Tablets with the active ingredient cetirizine make some sufferers tired.
For this reason, the medication can also be taken just before bedtime.
The active ingredient lasts up to 24 hours and then also relieves the symptoms during the day.
You have to find out for yourself whether it is better to take the antiallergic drugs in the morning after getting up or late in the evening.
Hay fever: what are antihistamines?
As the
Allergy Information Service
writes,
histamine plays a major role in allergic reactions
and triggers a variety of effects.
Receptors would attach to the surface of cells, allowing signals for histamine action to be transmitted into the cell.
Antihistamines - also called histamine receptor blockers - inhibit the effects of histamine, the receptors are blocked.
For this reason, antihistamines such as cetirizine are the first choice to combat hay fever symptoms.